SCHOOLS

Understanding and respect for nature can be fostered in children from a very early age. Biodiversity is an essential component of environmental education and can be linked to the national curriculum in many different ways. Young people will decide the future of biodiversity.

Key ways to help biodiversity at school:

1. Include biodiversity in the curriculum and explain to children why biodiversity is important to everyone.
   
   
2. Consider using an INSET day for training in biodiversity education.
   
   
3. Seek advice on enriching the value of your school grounds for environmental education.
   
   
4. Explore biodiversity in your school grounds, nearby park or environmental study centre as part of the curriculum.
   
   
5. Organise a nature day in the school grounds.
   
   
6. Set up a wildlife club at school.
   
   
7. Join a conservation organisation such as the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers or Hampshire Wildlife Trust as a school member.
   
   
8. Use the classroom to demonstrate good practice for the environment: recycle waste and use water and energy wisely.

Contacts:

Many of the organisations that provide environmental advice on school grounds in Hampshire have formed a partnership of school ground advisors. Their website has excellent links to publications, funding and a long list of environmental organisations.

Hampshire County Council's School Landscape Project help a number of Hampshire schools improve their school grounds each year and advice on other aspects of sustainable schools (energy, travel, recycling etc.) is also available.

Hampshire Trailblazer is an award scheme promoting outdoor learning and environmental education for young people of all ages.

Learning through Landscapes provides a wealth of information on bringing environmental initiatives into school grounds.

Join the County Council's Hampshire School Nature Watch each year and help pupils discover the wildlife in their school grounds.

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers have a school advisory service to assist with managing school grounds for wildlife.

The Hampshire Wildlife Trust can advise on managing school grounds for wildlife and organise environmental activities for the classroom.

The Hampshire Gardens Trust provides a wealth of links to the use of school gardens and grounds.

The Council for Environmental Education produces educational material for schools, information for teachers and youth workers, advice on grants and competitions.

Education is a vital part of the work of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Visit the RSPB website for curriculum-based resources to use in and outside the classroom, and for materials relevant to parents and youth workers.

Many of the County Council's country parks provide special facilities for educational groups. At larger sites staff can help teachers and group leaders plan and prepare a visit. Over 25,000 schoolchildren visit each year.

Eco-schools is a UK-wide award scheme helping schools integrate environmental initiatives into the curriculum. Visit the site to discover a wealth of resources, contacts and tips, and register to receive a free handbook and termly magazine.

Natural England has more than 100 lesson plans linked to the national curriculum and activities and information for pupils on their 'Nature for schools' webpages.

The Environment Agency has developed a range of curriculum support materials on environmental topics for teachers of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3.

For parents, teachers and older children - visit the National History Museum's biodiversity education website for an exciting interactive introduction to UK biodiversity.