Next Generation Nature Schools Programme
The Green Communities team are excited to celebrate starting the second year of our Next Generation Nature programme, a schools’ project run in collaboration with the National Trust, funded by Starling Bank.
Green Communities are working with children and young people in their own neighbourhoods: our ambition is to help young people, and their families connect with nature in green spaces and work together to make local areas even better places for wildlife and people.
Last year, we made 19 visits to different schools, youth groups and green spaces and successfully engaged with 387 young people, aged 4-19 years old. This year, we have extended our outreach and look forward to visiting more schools, colleges, and youth groups.
Our climate education sessions are rooted in the National Curriculum and are regularly adapted to suit the different ages and abilities of the learners. The sessions complement the Government’s Nature Park Hub and Climate Change Strategy, helping to increase biodiversity in the grounds of schools, youth groups, and colleges.
From hedge laying to nature-themed print workshops, yoga sessions to sowing wildlife meadows-there really is something for everyone to get involved with...
Here are some of our favourite quotes from last year’s sessions:
‘I feel happy and relaxed’, student from City College during the ‘Connecting to Nature and Improving Our Wellbeing’ session.
‘My knowledge blossomed like a wildflower’, student from Stoke Damerel Community College during the ‘Improving Biodiversity in your School’s Grounds’ session.
After taking part in the Next Generation Nature project, young people are rewarded with a free pass to Saltram for their friends and family. This year, we will be leading art workshops, and green skills development sessions at Saltram and hope this will further improve young people’s accessibility/connection to both nature and National Trust properties.
