If you go down to the woods this week you’re in for big surprise …
…. lots of nursery children will be out and about in the University of Aberdeen’s Cruickshank Botanic Garden learning about trees.
In the latest in the University's Nature Tots series, the pre-schoolers will be exploring the Arboretum finding out about its special trees.
Sandra Bisset, Education Assistant at the University's Natural History Centre, said: "December is a great time of year to get out into woodlands. The leaves are everywhere and children love to explore all the features of fabulous trees.
"Our young botanists will get the chance to see trees that grow all over the world right here in our Cruickshank Botanic Garden which stretches over 11 acres and is used for teaching and research at the University as well as being open to the public.
"Our little visitors will also explore our secret wood by having a game of tree snap. And they will collect some of the fallen leaves to make into a placemat to take home."
The December 14 sessions are free and there are 40 places in the morning between 10am and 12 noon and then another 40 places between 2pm and 4pm. Booking is essential.
To book your place contact: 01224 274545 or emailing – href="mailto:nat.hist@abdn.ac.uk">nat.hist@abdn.ac.uk</a></p>
The Nature Tots programme has now been running for four years and given youngsters the opportunity to look at all sorts of things including minibeasts and skeletons. The 2008 programme will include sessions titled Under the Sea, Fabulous flowers, Rainforests and Dinosaurs and Fossils.