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Short Abstract

The National Education Nature Park is a strategic government-backed programme to embed nature at the heart of the school curriculum, aiming to involve every young person in formal education in the process of community science for nature recovery.

Abstract

In April 2022, UK Government’s Department for Education published its Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. A key delivery mechanism was the creation of a ‘National Education Nature Park’ - a scheme for every young person at nursery, school or college in England. The Nature Park embeds nature and climate action at the heart of the school curriculum, and aims to boost biodiversity on school sites. The Natural History Museum London leads this programme, weaving together community science research and on-the-ground nature recovery action.

The programme is not mandatory, however Government endorsement, incentives for schools, Early Years and Special Education Needs provision, alongside partner reputation and quality curriculum-aligned resources have secured significant uptake. More than 25% of all schools and colleges in England are registered, including a high proportion of schools in areas of social deprivation, with low access to greenspace, and that have not taken part in other eco-activities.

Through the Nature Park, young people map habitats on their education site and conduct biodiversity surveys to form a baseline dataset. Using these data they identify opportunities for improvement, implement habitat enhancements to boost biodiversity, and measure impact through ongoing community science research. Through this process young people develop green/digital skills, pro-environmental behaviours and enhanced wellbeing.

Placing community science within the core education system represents a transformational shift away from ‘opting-in’, to a model that enables every young person to encounter and participate in community science and nature recovery action repeatedly throughout their schooling lives, reducing inequalities in connection to nature, participation in science and associated benefits.

In this presentation we examine mechanisms and strategic alignment that have enabled community science to become an integral part of government climate and education strategy, and that reach out to the periphery of community science practice.