At the heart of Aigas is our field centre team, made up of field rangers, education officers, a staff naturalist and administrators. We have very friendly and knowledgeable staff who work with groups. The field staff all have natural science or education-related qualifications. We are committed to delivering quality programmes in a child-friendly manner. We aim to introduce new concepts and ideas through play and exploration. These will in turn stimulate thought processes and questions - leading to a greater appreciation, respect and interest in the environment.

Directors: Melanie, Ieuan and John.
Vital staff members: Morag, Jo, Sue, Frankie and Sheila.

Melanie is the Education Manager and works closely with Morag Smart and Jo Fitzsimmons to write curriculums and deliver programmes that aim to deliver the wow factor.

 

Melanie holds education very close to her heart and having grown up in the Highlands is devoted to passing on a love and appreciation of nature. She has experience of working with all age groups in a variety of settings including a special education needs school in Washington DC, after schools clubs and community clubs for adults with learning difficulties.

 

Morag is an enthusiastic and friendly member of the education team. She has worked with children in the past at various fun playschemes and after-school clubs. She has been to the other ends of the Earth for conservation and to discover wildlife (including the Philippines, the Falklands and South Africa) but is happy to be back at home in Scotland. She is often found, nose to the ground, hunting for minibeasts and other exciting treasures. She thoroughly enjoys sharing her love of the natural world with all the children who come to Aigas!

 

Originally from Manchester, she came to the Highlands 10 years ago and immediately fell in love with the area, its wealth of wildlife and of course the local people! So she stayed!

 

Now with three young boys to keep her busy, Jo works part time at Aigas predominantly with the visiting school groups, having been an active parent helper at nearby Teanassie Primary School. Jo hopes to bring lots more fun ideas to the schools programmes. An avid birder, Jo loves to spend any valuable free time enjoying the Highland countryside that she now calls home.

 

Sue is a passionate wildlife gardener and has two boys to share the fun with. She is new to our team in 2008.

We are extremely grateful for funding support from Scottish Natural Heritage for our environmental education programmes. This has also enabled us to offer free outreach sessions for schools on natural heritage.