Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Paragraph: 103
Our previous report on biodiversity in the UK identified that education could provide a crucial...
Conclusion
Our previous report on biodiversity in the UK identified that education could provide a crucial lever to address inequalities in access to nature. The Government’s Children and Nature Programme went some way in increasing access opportunities for schoolchildren, however the programme is due to end in March 2022. We consider this misses an opportunity to build on the successes of the programme through expanding the programme, to further widen access to nature in education and contribute to building a future green skills pipeline by attracting more young people into green careers.
Paragraph Reference:
103
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Encouraging children to be close to nature, in and out of school, is a key 25 Year Environment Plan commitment. We will continue to deliver against this objective once the programme closes in March 2022. For example, the Climate Leaders Award recently announced by the Department for Education will help children and young people develop their skills and knowledge in biodiversity and sustainability, and celebrate and recognise their work in protecting the local environment. Children and young people will also be encouraged to get involved in the natural world by increasing biodiversity in the grounds of their nursery, school or college, and uploading their data onto a new, virtual National Education Nature Park. We will be ensuring that the learning from the Children and Nature Programme is fed into how these initiatives are developed. Defra is funding the £2.5 million ‘Generation Green’ project through the Green Recovery Challenge Fund. The Access Unlimited coalition, led by the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) and involving all 10 English National Parks, aims to provide more than 100,000 progressive opportunities to connect young people to nature, prioritising young people from BAME groups, disadvantaged backgrounds and coastal communities. Defra is also funding research to improve understanding of children’s engagement with Protected Landscapes.