Natural Nations

The Natural Nations project developed surveys to record bird populations, minibeasts, habitats, pollinators, and vegetation in school grounds. An evolution of the award-winning Polli:Nation project, Natural Nations was led by Learning through Landscapes in partnership with Naturskolan i Lund, Lunds Universitet, Birdlife Malta and Sociedad Espanola de Ornitologia SEO (Birdlife Spain).

Working with research schools across four countries, we have tested and produced a suite of resources to help schools identify and encourage wildlife in their school grounds. These include accessible resources to ensure that learning can be adapted for pupils’ different needs and ages, and instructional videos to support all those undertaking the surveys.

Use the buttons below to navigate to our surveys and educational resources for each season.

Surveys & guidance

Educational resources

Surveys

Use these surveys with your class to identify the birds, minibeasts, pollinators, flowering plants, and habitats in your school grounds.

Working with specialist teachers, we have developed accessible versions of the surveys that can be adapted for the different needs of your pupils. The accessible surveys take a slightly different structure combining minibeasts with pollinators; and trees, leaves and flowering plants. Remember: our guidance and surveys are intended to support outdoor learning. The priority here is to engage young people with nature, so have fun!

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Habitats‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

School Grounds and Habitat Survey

The School Grounds and Habitat Survey is designed to evaluate the suitability of your school grounds for wildlife. Watch our video, and refer to the Practitioner Guidance, for more information on how to conduct the survey in your school grounds.

Download survey

Download accessible survey

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Birds‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Bird Survey

The Bird Survey should be conducted during the spring, ideally early in the morning when birds are most active. Watch our video, and refer to the Practitioner Guidance, for more information on how to conduct the survey in your school grounds.

Download survey

Download accessible survey

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Minibeasts‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Minibeasts and Leaves Survey

The Minibeasts and Leaves Survey should be conducted during the spring for the best results. Watch our video, and refer to the Practitioner Guidance, for more information on how to conduct the survey in your school grounds.

Download survey

Download accessible survey

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Pollinators‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Pollinators and Flowering Plants Survey

The Pollinators and Flowering Plants Survey is dependent on weather and time of day. Watch our video, and refer to the Practitioner Guidance, for more information on how to conduct the survey in your school grounds.

Download survey

Download accessible survey

Practitioner Guidance for Surveys

This essential document provides assistance for conducting the four individual Natural Nations surveys.

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Basket

Natural Nations

Surveys

School Grounds and Habitat Survey

Bird Survey

Minibeasts and Leaves Survey

Pollinators and Flowering Plants Survey

Practitioner Guidance for Surveys

Pollinator Identification Guide

Natural Nations Data Entry Website

Practitioner Guidance for Data Input

Educational Resources

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Cultural Heritage Resources

Blackbird

Dandelion

Earthworm

Honey Bee

Ladybird

Robin

Stinging Nettle

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