Vision Statement
“To enable learners to have the opportunity to reconnect with nature, to utilise the natural environment as a learning resource; whilst promoting health and wellbeing”
Background
The °¬˛ćAƬ Biodiversity Partnership started the Schools Biodiversity Improvement Project in 2010. The project aimed to work with schools to help enhance biodiversity within the school grounds, create learning opportunities for school children and cultivate an appreciation of nature conservation and biodiversity. The project initially started as a pilot with five schools distributed across the borough and has now expanded to include a total of 24 schools.
Since the project started, its main primary focus has been biodiversity. However, it has been reviewed to reflect changes associated with Sustainable Management of Natural resources, as a result the project also encompasses other environmental issues such as Recycling, flooding, sustainability, pollinators and climate change; whilst making links to the new Welsh Curriculum which was implemented in September 2022.
To date, a substantial amount of work has been carried out, working with schools to increase the biodiversity within their grounds and to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management amongst school children. These include both indoor and outdoor sessions and include:
- Pond dipping
- Minibeast Hunts
- Seed Science
- Brilliant Birds
- Pollinators
- Willow maintenance
- Plant Discovery
Aims
The main aim of the project is:
- To create spaces for nature and provide learning opportunities for school children aimed at cultivating an appreciation for the natural environment.
- Reverse the decline in biodiversity by improving and enhancing urban green spaces (school grounds)
- Reconnect learners to nature and the natural environment
Benefits of the Project
By implementing the project within the schools, and partnership working with several organisations, safe havens for wildlife have been created where nature can thrive in; and inspire the children of the future who will be the next generation of nature’s protector.
The project has delivered several habitat creations which have benefited many LBAP and S7 species. This has enabled the school children to monitor native species through activities 7 such as pond dipping, and pollinator surveys enabling them to gain a greater understanding and awareness of local conservation issues around them.
The children have also gained a greater understanding of Natural Resources Management, about the importance of a healthy sustainable ecosystem and what they need to do to help care for it. They understand that they not only learn and carry out positive actions within school but extend further into the wider community and back to the home where it is important that everyone takes part to create positive actions. As a result of these initiatives, and being involved with the Project, the school and children take greater pride in their school grounds, local green spaces and have a better awareness of the biodiversity and conservation issues.
If you want to enrich your learning experience in the great outdoors or have an outdoor education query please contact Becky Ward: