The Francis Review – In September and October NAEE will be posting a series of blogs about the Francis Review of Curriculum and Assessment. If you’d like to contribute, please write to info@naee.org.uk
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Plant-saving Science – There’s an invitation to join National Geographic Kids and Jan Sala Vila, a Plant Biologist at Kew Wakehurst’s Millennium Seed Bank, for an on-line plant-saving science adventure. It’s on August 29th at 17:00 and it’s free. The event is aimed at nature-loving kids aged 7-12 years old. Details here.
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30 Under 30 – The newest cohort of NAAEE’s young changemakers, the EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2024 has been announced. From scientists to conservationists, founders to innovators, NAAEE says that these 30 Under 30 are leading the charge toward creating a more accessible, equitable, and sustainable world. You can meet the Class of 2024 here. Three are from the UK.
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African EE – Listen to a recording of the GEEP Africa webinar held August 15th. Click below to hear how innovative practitioners are using EE / ESD to drive sustainable change in Sierra Leone, Malawi, and Uganda. Here’s the recording.
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Australian EE – On September 5, we’re invited to join two Australian environmental educators to hear their ideas about outdoor and environmental education in the contemporary world. These presentations, “Alternative Realities and Authenticity in Environmental Education” and “Wild Pedagogies,” are hosted by the Queensland Association of Outdoor & Environmental Education Centre. Learn more and register here.
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School Trees – Does your school need more #trees? The Woodland Trust is offering #FreeTree packs to all kinds of groups, including schools, universities, and sports clubs. You need to apply before August 26th.
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Edussessing – Sammy Wright’s book, ‘Exam Nation’ is a reflection on the purpose and state of education. It’s based in England, but thought provoking for other contexts too. It was the BBC Radio 4 book of the week in mid-August.
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Ecosystem Restoration – We’re invited to join the new Education for Ecosystem Restoration eePRO Group to stay up to date on how NAAEE, FEE, and UNESCO are working to advance the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration’s Challenge 6.1. You can join the group here.
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Nature Writing – The shortlist of the Wainwright Prize 2024 has been announced in the Nature Writing and Writing on Conservation categories. These include Nature’s Ghosts, Bothy and Groundbreakers.
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London Birds – London’s NHM has a new exhibition of brilliant and bizarre birdlife.
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European Birds – A new two-volume illustrated set provides an at-a-glance reference guide to identify all bird species in Europe. Combining over 5,500 high-resolution photographs with incisive descriptions. It covers over 730 species, details key identification features, moulting, age and gender for an in-depth coverage of European birds and is a must-read for any budding ornithologist. HNBS has details of a discounted offer.
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Recovering Biodiversity Value – A new study in Nature from the Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) project looks at the impact of forest disturbance in Malaysia, and the conservation value of logged and disturbed forests. They confirm that forests that are lightly logged still retain high biodiversity and ecological value and “can make an important contribution to the terrestrial and freshwater conservation estates.” Heavily degraded forests, however, would require much more effort to recover their biodiversity value.
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Plastic Beach News – Geographical reports that there’s been an 80 % drop in the number of plastic bags washed up on UK beaches, but other forms of plastic pollution have increased.
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There will be no publication next week; we return on September 9th.