Save Scotland's ponds and wild spaces

Aim: Help us bring our successful wildlife project to Scotland's children

Give children the gift of nature

After a successful project in Walsall, West Midlands, we want to bring our transformative Coalface to Wildspace project to Scotland – saving Scotland’s ponds and wild spaces and connecting children with amphibians and reptiles. Often for the first time in their lives.

We can only do this if we raise the funds! Your support will help create spaces where children can discover the magic of wildlife while helping save Scotland's declining amphibians and reptiles across Ayrshire, Lothians, and South Lanarkshire.

The need: Disconnected children, disappearing wildlife

Across Scotland, we face a growing crisis:

• Children are spending 60% less time outdoors than their parents did, with many never experiencing wildlife firsthand
• Over half of UK children have never seen a frog or toad in the wild
• Common toads have declined by 68% in just 30 years
• 70% of children from deprived communities rarely or never access natural spaces

Through our work in England, we've seen how connecting children with amphibians creates immediate joy and lasting care for the natural world.

Our solution: Bringing wildlife to where children are

We'll create accessible nature experiences where children live and learn:

• Building ponds and wildlife habitats in schools and community spaces
• Training teachers and youth workers to lead wildlife activities
• Providing hands-on conservation opportunities for all children, including those with additional needs
• Creating resources that help families continue exploring nature

Why amphibians and reptiles?

These animals create magical moments of discovery that children never forget:

• The excitement of spotting a newt during pond-dipping
• The wonder of watching tadpoles transform into froglets
• The thrill of carefully holding a slow worm
• The pride in creating habitats where these creatures can thrive

The difference we've already made

SiMY Youth Club, Glasgow

"I never knew there were newts in Glasgow. Now we've got our own pond and I can show my little brother." J, 11

Children from SiMY Youth Club had never seen live amphibians before. Many live surrounded by concrete with no access to nature. With our guidance, they created their own wildlife pond on an ex-bowling green in Townhead. Now they're proud wildlife guardians.

How your donation helps connect children with wildlife

• £20 - Introduces a child to nature for the first time through a pond-dipping session
• £50 - Provides adaptive conservation activities for children with additional needs
• £100 - Supports a nature-deprived community with wildlife engagement activities
• £250 - Creates an accessible wildlife space in an urban area where children can discover nature
• £500 - Transforms a school or community space into a wildlife haven where children learn and thrive

Donate today, you will:

• Instantly see your donation doubled
• Help us reach our target faster
• Make twice the difference for children and wildlife

What makes our approach special

• We bring nature to everyone: Working in communities with limited access to greenspace and nature
• We create inclusive experiences: Making wildlife accessible to children of all abilities and backgrounds
• We build lasting connections: Children who help create habitats develop ownership and continued care
• We leave a living legacy: The ponds and habitats created continue to provide wildlife experiences for generations

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 25th July 2025 at 3:35pm