A National Movement for Nature in Schools

Looking for a way to boost learning and grow your students’ love for the planet? The National Education Nature Park could be just the thing to dig into

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in Education Hub

Launched in 2023 by the Department for Education, the Natural History Museum, the Royal Horticultural Society and others, the National Education Nature Park is more than just a nice walk. It’s a countrywide initiative that helps children and young people connect with nature and take real, hands-on action to support biodiversity and tackle climate change. Over 6,000 schools, colleges and nurseries in England have already signed up.

Accessible, Inclusive, and Free to Join
Open to all nurseries, schools and colleges, the programme is completely free. You don’t need acres of woodland or a pristine pond to take part. Even settings without green space can get involved, starting with something as simple as a window box. Participants gain access to classroom-ready activities, virtual mapping tools and digital resources that make it easy to engage students in meaningful environmental action.

Practical Tools That Support the Curriculum
Think of it as a nationwide, interactive biodiversity project – where every school contributes to a virtual map showing how green spaces are improving across England’s education settings. Pupils can increase biodiversity on site, build climate knowledge, gain green skills and contribute to real-world research. Their data feeds into scientific studies by the Natural History Museum, helping map one of England’s most under-recorded habitats – school estates.

Funding Available for 2025/26
£3 million in grant funding is available for the 2025/26 academic year. Schools can check eligibility or contact [email protected] for details. This funding can help support on-site improvements, learning resources and nature-based activities.

Registration is quick, free and open to all teaching and non-teaching staff. If you want your school to be part of something greener, smarter and genuinely impactful, now’s the time to sign up! By joining, school leaders can offer students a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the environment while enriching the curriculum and supporting wellbeing.