Environmental Education Programme

Local environmental projects open for funding

The Project

The purpose of this project is to build environmental awareness with the next generation. This will help them better understand the interconnectedness between human life and a healthy natural environment and recognise environmental challenges which they will be dealing with in their careers. This project also fosters analytical thinking, encouraging students to think critically about environmental challenges and how to find innovative solutions.

Education aspects included in this project

The Nature Commission is part of the Guernsey Work Experience Scheme (GWEx), and develops opportunities in the environmental sector in partnership with other environmental organisations to offer a variety of experiences across policy, data collection, ecology, sampling, analysis, land management and more.

Offering support to school teachers covering key stages 1, 2, and 3 by:

finding ways to include local nature into their lesson plans
providing resources appropriate for Guernsey
offering to lead staff meetings
supporting science subject leaders and lead lessons.

The aim of this is to help teachers develop their confidence and knowledge, resources, and skills about the local natural environment, to improve the quality of student learning in this area.

These discussions link to areas of study in the curriculum e.g. Ecology and Sampling which promotes citizen science projects in Guernsey.

In partnership with local experts, the Nature Commission runs a BioBlitz every year. This consists of an experts day to find and record as many species as possible in 24 hours followed by a number of days for primary school children to visit the BioBlitz site and explore nature. Prior to the school BioBlitz days, presentations are given to the year groups/ classes taking part so they know what to expect when they come to the BioBlitz.

Presentations to primary and secondary schools to encourage students to take part in national citizen science activities. These activities are relevant to the surveys currently being promoted by the Nature Commission, such as:

Presentations to primary and secondary schools to encourage students to connect with nature and care for it. These presentations take place before the Easter holidays to raise awareness of Bluebell Wood and encourage students to visit this local site to connect with nature. The children also also given advice on how to look after Bluebells by walking on the paths and not in areas where the Bluebells grow etc.

Presenting to schools on the content of State of Nature 2024.

Assisting and supporting activities and events in primary and secondary schools where requested. For example, nature walks at St. Saviour's Reservoir and Fauxquets Valley.

Funding needed

The cost to run this project in full is £21,500 per year. Discussions regarding partial funding to enable certain aspects of the programme to be supported can be undertaken.

Which UN Sustainable Development Goals does this Project contribute to?

This project helps to progress against the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

#3 good health and wellbeing
#4 quality education
#12 responsible consumption and production
#13 climate action
#14 life below water
#15 life on land

Organisation details

The Nature Commission is a Guernsey charity that works with business, government, the third sector, and the public to enhance the Island's natural environment and promote greater native biodiversity. In particular, the Nature Commission is working to reverse the decline in biodiversity by protecting and enhancing Guernsey's natural environment for the health of our economy and well-being of our island community.

For more information visit Nature Commission Guernsey

To support this project, please contact: office@naturecommission.gg

Outcomes

Boosts academic performance - nature-based education has been shown to enhance attention, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills
Enhances wellbeing - time spent learning about and in nature reduces stress, anxiety, and behavioural issues while promoting emotional resilience
Fosters environmental literacy - students gain a better understanding of ecosystems, sustainability, biodiversity, and human impacts
Builds awareness - early exposure to environmental concepts encourages lifelong stewardship of the planet
Promotes sustainable habits - students are more likely to adopt behaviours like recycling, conserving water, or protecting wildlife
Connects head, heart, and hands - nature education links knowledge (head), emotional connection (heart), and action (hands), making it holistic and impactful
Creates ripple effects - students often influence their families and communities through what they learn at school
Professional development for teachers - teachers gain new tools, resources, and confidence to integrate environmental themes across subjects.

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