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Ranger Hamza: Hey, Ramblers! Today, I'm meeting Ramblers Mali, Laughlin and Max.

We've all got lots of layers on in case the weather changes. But what are we looking for on our eco quest today? Let's see if the Ramblers can guess. Can you guess too?

It was once alive, but it's no longer living. What do you think it could be?

Laughlin: A dinosaur.

Ranger Hamza: Great answer! Dinosaurs are no longer living, but that's not what we're looking for today.

You can find it in lots of places, but especially in the forest.

Max: A deer.

Ranger Hamza: That's a great try, Max. You'll certainly find deer in the forests. But that's not what we're looking for either.

Time for one last clue, Mali.

It once used to have leaves and it comes in all different shapes and sizes.

Mali: A tree.

Ranger Hamza: A tree, yes. We are looking for a tree, but a special kind of tree. You're sitting on it.

Laughlin: A dead tree?

Ranger Hamza: Yeah, it is a dead tree! But it's actually dead wood that we're looking for. Shall we go and look for some?

All children: Yes!

Ranger Hamza: Come on then, follow me.

We're starting our quest to find dead wood in a nearby woodland. Dead wood is wood that is no longer living.

You can find lots of different types, like fallen trees, or sticks and branches that have fallen to the forest floor.

Dead wood may not be alive, but is very important in nature. And we're going to find out why.

Max: Dead wood!

Laughlin: Loads of dead wood!

Max and Mali: Loads of dead wood!

Ranger Hamza: These eagle-eyed Ramblers are off to a flying start.

There's dead wood there, there's dead wood here.

Max: Dead wood there!

Ranger Hamza: Our eco quest has only just begun and we've stumbled across a very interesting type of dead wood.

Mali: It's a tree that's been cut down.

Ranger Hamza: It's a tree stump. And Max thinks it might be home to lots of different creatures.

Max: A worm, a slug and a snail.

Laughlin: So they don't get covered in the rain.

Ranger Hamza: Exactly. A tree stump is actually home to lots of insects. And they don't get wet, they stay out of the way of predators, like birds.

It looks like the insects in this stump are hiding from predators, and us too.

What other things do you think can live in a tree stump?

Max: There could be some hedgehogs living in there.

Ranger Hamza: Absolutely! Yes. Creatures like hedgehogs love to hang out around dead wood because they're looking for food like bugs, insects and spiders.