Thousands of young people across England taking part in the National Education Nature Park programme are supporting global biodiversity research by mapping out the habitats on their school sites.
The National Education Nature Park, commissioned by the Department for Education and led by the Natural History Museum working with the Royal Horticultural Society and additional partners, sees young people creating a network of nature-rich spaces on school sites across the country by turning them from ‘grey to green’ through creating new habitats such as ponds, green walls and grasslands.
The programme has recently reached the milestone of more than 1,000 schools creating a map of the habitats on their site, recording an area of over 11 million square metres, equating to around 8,800 Olympic-size swimming pools. From recording trees and hedges, grassy areas, or even bare ground, mapping existing habitats is the exciting first step in young people understanding what their education site offers for nature, and choosing how to make meaningful improvements. Using curriculum-linked resources from the programme and digital tools developed with Esri UK, these habitat maps allow schools to track their progress over time as well as contributing to cutting-edge scientific research.
The habitat mapping process works alongside the Natural History Museum’s ground-breaking research database called PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity in Changing Terrestrial Systems), which is used to predict both current and future biodiversity of local areas all over the globe, and helps inform decisions on how to improve biodiversity and put effort and resources in the right places.
“While a lot is known about levels of biodiversity across the country, education sites remain a bit of a mystery – they are the most under-recorded urban habitat type. But they also cover an enormous area of land, representing a great opportunity for nature,” said Lucy Robinson, Deputy Head of the Centre for UK Nature at the Natural History Museum. “This is where the children and young people taking part in the Nature Park programme are making a huge difference – they are ‘community scientists’, collaborating with us to study the biodiversity gains they achieve as they make improvements on their sites, contributing to the overall health of nature across the country.”
Schools can use their maps to inform decisions around how they transform their outdoor space from grey to green, from creating ponds to planting grasslands. As they continue to update their habitat maps and record biodiversity on their site over time, young people are providing insights into which local environmental actions best support nature recovery.
As well as the environmental benefits, the emotional and educational benefits of bringing nature and climate into the curriculum are key aims of the programme. Transformations seen so far are having a hugely positive impact on both nature and the school community, from a green wall at a secondary school in Manchester creating a home for wildlife while also having a cooling effect on a hot classroom, to wildflower planting at a primary school in Essex providing habitat for pollinators while supporting the curriculum and giving staff and pupils access to nature.
Sam Hartley, RHS Senior Programme and Partnerships Manager, said: “It’s brilliant to see that over 1,000 schools have begun habitat mapping through the National Education Nature Park and a promising sign of what’s to come, with more than 7,000 educational settings now signed up to the programme. Engaging young people in observing and recording nature not only builds valuable skills, but also deepens their connection to the natural world, which is key to nurturing the next generation of advocates for nature.”
Education Minister Stephen Morgan said: "I'm delighted that over 1,000 schools have now mapped their habitats through the National Education Nature Park, with pupils gaining valuable scientific skills while contributing to important biodiversity research.
“This programme gives children hands-on green learning experiences that build confidence and environmental knowledge, regardless of their background – helping break down barriers to opportunity as part of our Plan for Change.
“By transforming school grounds from grey to green, young people are discovering the joy of nature while developing skills that will serve them throughout their education and beyond."
The free programme is open to all schools, colleges and nurseries in England: www.educationnaturepark.org.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Images available here: Nature Park image selection
For more information please contact the NHM press office:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5654 / 07799690151
Email: press@nhm.ac.uk
National Education Nature Park
The National Education Nature Park is a free programme for all schools, nurseries and colleges in England that empowers children and young people to make a positive difference to both their own and to nature’s future.
Through turning grey spaces green, young people are boosting biodiversity, all while connecting to nature, and developing vital green and digital skills for their futures
Every small act makes a big impact: by monitoring wildlife on their sites and uploading their findings, young people see the collective difference they are making on an online map, and contribute to scientific research on nature recovery
Partners for nature
The National Education Nature Park has been commissioned by the Department for Education, and is delivered by a partnership led by the Natural History Museum with the Royal Horticultural Society supported by Learning Through Landscapes, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, National Biodiversity Network Trust, the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), Royal Society and Manchester Metropolitan University. Esri UK is the geospatial technology partner in the programme, providing the digital mapping platform.
Department for Education’s sustainability and climate change strategy
Following the publication of its Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, the Department for Education has commissioned three initiatives that support education settings on their sustainability journey and embed climate and nature into everyday teaching and learning.
These complementary initiatives include access to support to get started or prioritise next steps on the sustainability journey through the online Sustainability Support for Education service; access to experts to help planning and delivery of climate action plans through the Climate Ambassadors programme and the Let’s Go Zero Climate Action Advisors; and digital tools and resources to empower children and young people to lead the way in decision making and action in their setting as part of their journey through the National Education Nature Park.
About the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is a world-leading scientific research centre and one of the world’s most visited museums. Our mission is to create advocates for the planet – people who act for nature.
Our 400 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency - from reversing biodiversity loss to resourcing the green economy.
We are seeking an additional £150 million to transform our South Kensington building: placing our groundbreaking research at its heart, revitalising four existing galleries, opening two new magnificent galleries and delighting 1 million more visitors a year with the wonders of the natural world.
About the RHS
Since our formation in 1804, the RHS has grown into the UK’s leading gardening charity, touching the lives of millions of people. Perhaps the secret to our longevity is that we’ve never stood still. In the last decade alone we’ve taken on the largest hands-on project the RHS has ever tackled by opening RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, Greater Manchester, and invested in the science that underpins all our work by building RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science.
We have committed to being net positive for nature and people by 2030. We are also committed to being truly inclusive and to reflect all the communities of the UK.
Across our five RHS gardens we welcome more than three million visitors each year to enjoy over 34,000 different cultivated plants. Events such as the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, other national shows, our schools and community work, and partnerships such as Britain in Bloom, all spread the shared joy of gardening to wide-reaching audiences.
Throughout it all we’ve held true to our charitable core – to encourage and improve the science, art and practice of horticulture –to share the love of gardening and the positive benefits it brings. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk.
RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262
About Esri UK
Esri UK is a GIS (Geographic Information System) software company, developing a range of geospatial solutions for digital mapping and spatial analysis. Customers include the Environment Agency, Cabinet Office, Vodafone and the National Trust. The company’s Education programme provides free access to its ArcGIS software, teaching resources and training for all UK schools. Currently used by over 3,500 schools and 135 universities across the UK, Esri’s software helps students learn new skills.
For more information please visit: www.esriuk.com
About Learning Through Landscapes
Learning through Landscapes is the UK’s leading outdoor learning and play charity, with a UK-wide team of experienced outdoor educators and school grounds designers. Our vision is a society where outdoor learning and play are recognised as a fundamental part of education and every child benefits from regular time outdoors as part of their school day. Our work is dedicated to supporting schools in achieving this vision through three main avenues:
For over 30 years, we’ve been at the forefront of developing and delivering innovative projects, supporting schools and early years settings with our unrivalled knowledge and expertise. We work closely with partners across the UK and internationally to advocate for outdoor learning and play in every school day, helping every child enjoy the benefits of learning and playing outdoors.
About the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) is a leading independent research institute dedicated to understanding and transforming how we interact with the natural world. With over 600 researchers, we tackle the urgent environmental challenges of our time, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Our evidence-based insights empower governments, businesses, and communities to make informed decisions, shaping a future where both nature and people thrive.
About the National Biodiversity Network Trust
The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Trust is a small charity with a big plan – to make data work for nature. For more than twenty years we’ve been making biodiversity data accessible, to support better decisions about the natural world and to connect people with nature. But there’s so much more to do – and the urgency is greater than ever. It’s estimated that as little as 50% of existing biodiversity data is available to those who need it. If we’re to succeed in reversing the collapse of biodiversity, our decisions must be based on the most complete and highest-quality evidence. This is where the NBN Trust, our network and our members have a unique and vital role to play.
https://nbn.org.uk/ https://nbnatlas.org
About the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830 for 'the advancement of geographical science', today we deliver this objective through developing, supporting and promoting geographical research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, professional practice, public engagement, and geography input to policy. We aim to foster an understanding and informed enjoyment of our world. We hold the world's largest private geographical collection and provide public access to it. We have a thriving Fellowship and Membership and offer the professional accreditation 'Chartered Geographer’. www.rgs.org
About the Royal Society
The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering, and medicine. The Society’s fundamental purpose, as it has been since its foundation in 1660, is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. http://royalsociety.org/
Follow the Royal Society on Twitter (@royalsociety) or on Facebook (facebook.com/theroyalsociety)
About Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University is making an impact on Manchester, the UK and beyond, with a driving ambition to discover and disseminate knowledge, and make higher education accessible and beneficial to all those with the passion and ability to succeed. The University, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, is home to 43,000 students with an alumni network of more than 340,000 graduates. 90% of its research is rated as ‘internationally excellent’ and it has been rated in the top three most sustainable universities in the UK for the past 11 years.
