Part of the remit of the Orkney LBAP is to take biodiversity into schools: find ways to integrating it into the curriculum. The LBAP also aims to promote biodiversity in further education and in lifelong learning. The LBAP project officer initially visited a number of schools to assess teaching and how this could be developed. It immediately became clear schools were not aware of all the resources available to them. To rectify this a Fact Pack is being produced containing a directory of resources. The pack will also include names of local contacts who can help with specific projects and a list of local suppliers.

Another problem which surfaced, was the inadequacy of available keys for identifying plants and animals. Many keys had a southern bias unsuitable for Orkney's biodiversity. Long term it is hoped that Orkney-based keys will be produced for schools, if funding can be found.

As part of the initiative, the first inter-schools biodiversity newsletter, Bioschools, was produced. This is an excellent way for children to share biodiversity news: projects they have been doing in school, wildlife experiences they have had in Orkney and on holiday, and news about local events. An issue is planned each term, with a different school providing the main articles. The first issue was produced with the help of Firth Primary School and was a great success. It can be viewed at www.bioschools.freeuk.com.

In North Lanarkshire, the Education Department participates in an environmental awareness group set up by the LBAP partnership. This group works with the Environmental Education Officer who provides the direct link to schools and in-house training for teachers. One of its first initiatives has been to set up a system for the 'adoption' of woods within 500 metres of North Lanarkshire schools (especially Eco-schools). Teachers and pupils will be encouraged to view their wood in a social and environmental context.

The Falkirk LBAP partnership hope to produce a guide for Falkirk schools on improving their grounds for biodiversity. It is hoped that Falkirk Council Landscape Design section with the help of their Education Department. The guides success will rest on the availability of practical support, guidance, funding and sustained involvement of the schools involved.

East Lothian Biodiversity is a relatively recent initiative. Increasing public awareness of biodiversity has been one of its priorities. A number of exhibitions were held at events including the Haddington Agricultural Show, local flower shows, and galas and at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick.

A series of postcards have been produced which relate to habitats such as the coast, woodland and farmland, and picture both well known and less common plants and animals of East Lothian. They also hold facts about plants and animals pictured: for example, how a sea slug defends itself, or how thousands of animals live in an area of estuarine mud no bigger than a page of this booklet. Images were chosen to promote discussion on land use, food chains, environmental issues and evolution. The postcards combine with a map of major habitats and land use in East Lothian, to form material suitable for primary and secondary schools.

As the project goes into its second year, a Citizen's Guide to Biodiversity in East Lothian is planned, supported by a website, describing central issues of biodiversity, outlining future work and how the public can help, which will be supported by a website.

For the last 5 years, Scottish Natural Heritage has made available small grants for improvements in the nature conservation value of school grounds. In Edinburgh, a School Grounds for Awareness Group was set up, to act as a forum for the exchange of ideas between different school contacts and those involved in environmental education in the wider community. For example at Currie High School, a wooded valley adjacent to the school has been transformed from a wasteland used for dumping rubbish, into a well-managed woodland with a network of paths for public access. A wildflower meadow and wetland area have also been created. These areas are now cared for by school pupils on a voluntary basis after school, and the sense of ownership and pride in "their" wood extends into the local community.

These practical actions are helping to raise awareness of biodiversity issues in schools and the wider community, as well as fulfilling actions in the woodland habitat and plant species action plans.