Here is NAEE’s latest round-up of news…
Keep ?Teaching Wisdom? Part 2 – Resilience
An NAEE blog post from Richard Jurin, a regular contributor, explores resilience beyond economic frameworks, advocating for a balance between human and ecological systems. He critiques the reductionist mindset that separates humans from nature, emphasising the need for systems thinking to address complex environmental challenges. To read the blog post in full, click here.
NEW Outdoor Learning Conference 2025 – Exeter
NEW Professor Justin Dillon will be speaking at the Outdoor Learning Conference 2025 on February 24th in Exeter
The conference will:
“Teach us how to increase the enjoyment of lessons by providing a refreshing change of environment, making lessons more engaging and enjoyable for students.
Show us how to improve engagement with learning outdoors, by stimulating curiosity and creativity, and enhancing social and behavioural development: Outdoor learning encourages teamwork, communication, and collaboration. Students interact with their peers in a different context, fostering social skills and positive behaviour. Additionally, exposure to nature can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting better mental health.
Land Physical Wellbeing: Spending time outdoors has proven health benefits. Fresh air, physical activity, and exposure to natural light contribute to improved physical fitness and overall wellbeing. Students who engage in outdoor learning tend to be happier and more motivated.”
You can find out more and book tickets here: Outdoor Learning Conference 2025 – The Outdoors Group
News, in the papers and new resources
NEW: Its official, the world just experienced the hottest January on record. Last month was 1.75 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level. It was the 18th month in the last 19 where the global-average surface air temperature was more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level. Read more about it here from the UN.
NEW : A new study looks at the the underprotection of peatlands and its threat to the global climate. Peatlands store more carbon that all of the world’s forests combined, yet they only make up 3% of the Earth’s surface. The study found that only 17% of all peatlands are protected, threatening the carbon sink. The study suggests that one way to protect the peatlands is through improving the land rights of Indigenous peoples, with almost of quarter of peatlands on Idengenious lands. The study can be accessed here.
NEW Connecting with Nature in London, last chance to complete the National Park City survey
London National Park City recognise the importance of connecting people with urban nature and to find out how best to do that, they are conducting a survey that will help influence and shape City Hall’s plans and policies in this area.
Almost a 1,000 Londoners have already had their say in the survey Connecting with nature in London and it remains open until the end of Sunday 16th February to do the same.
Any Londoner aged 16+ can take part. To do so, you first need to create an account so City Hall know who they’re hearing from. Then, you can take the 4-minute survey and join in the related discussions.
News about Schools, Further Education, Higher Education and Initial/Teacher Education
Local Schools Nature Grant
Open to schools and early years settings in England, Scotland and Wales, this outdoor learning grant fund has four elements — an outdoor learning training course for your staff, a school grounds climate survey, a Climate Curriculum Kit (valued at £150) and £500 of outdoor equipment chosen from a catalogue of over 100 items.
Applications are open until 4th April
To find out more and apply, click here
UCL’s Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education
UCL’s CCCSE has a host of related events, reports and news in their newsletter that can be accessed here, including;
New report exploring the role of subject associations in climate change & sustainability education
Young People’s Voices on Climate Education: Ministerial Event and Policy Briefing
Bringing to Life the
Event: Ka ara ake te akoranga i tewhenua: climate action and history teaching in Aotearoa (New Zealand) with Michael Harcourt and Haimana Hirini: 27 February, 1630-1730 GMT
Event: Eco Ed London at Camley Street Natural Park, Kings Cross, London: 28 February, 1230-1630GMT
Climate Literacy Survey
The Royal Meteorological Society is looking for schools to participate in this year’s Climate Literacy Survey, which is open to schools in Scotland, N. Ireland, Wales and England.
If you are in a school which teaches year 11 (England/ Wales), year 12 (N Ireland) or S4 (Scotland) please take part and share the request with your networks.
For Wales, England and N. Ireland they will be collecting data until the end of March 2025.
For students in Scotland, the survey will remain open until the end of June 2025.
The survey and further information can be accessed via this link
Reboot the Future: Message in a Bottle
Water is essential, yet the UK faces serious challenges: pollution, shortages, and poor management.
Clive Lewis MP is bringing a vital Water Bill to Parliament on 28th March, but we need MPs to show up and listen.
We’re asking students to write letters to their MPs, expressing their concerns and hopes for the future of water, and deliver them in plastic bottles, a creative SOS calling for change.
The deadline is Friday 28th February!
Let’s flood MPs’ desks with messages and make water a priority.
Get involved #MessageInABottle
Employment, education and training opportunities
Climate Leaders Conference – 6th March, Sheffield Hallam University.
This one-day conference will support education settings, schools and trust leaders to understand the benefits of a sustainability leadership and climate action plans, support to develop a plan and identify opportunities to support their settings in taking action on climate change, sustainability and biodiversity.
For more information, have a look here and to sign up, follow this link.
Climate and Energy Summit 2025, 18th – 19th March, Chatham House, London.
On the road towards COP30, this annual conference will gather senior leaders and decision-makers from the business community, multilateral organizations, government agencies, academia and NGOs. Two days of high-level panel dialogues, networking sessions and an interactive workshop under the Chatham House Rule will focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration for increased ambition, action and impact. For more information and to sign up, have a look on their website.
5th Annual South Yorkshire Schools’ Climate Conference 2025 – 20th March, AESSEAL Rotherham United Football Stadium, Rotherham.
All schools in South Yorkshire are invited to register an expression of interest for groups of up to 6 primary pupils (Y4-Y6) or up to 5 secondary students (Y7-Y11) with 2 adults. It will be a jam-packed day of interactive workshops and speakers exploring the Green Skills and Careers theme. Attending the conference is also a great way to gain more knowledge to boost your school’s Climate Action Plan. For more information, access their website here and to sign up, use this link.
Together in Nature – Trauma-informed Nature-based Training- 24-30th March, Malvern, Worcestershire and 6-10th May, Aberdeenshire.
For people working with children, young people and adults, those interested in their personal development and are curious about the power of connection with the more than human world. The key elements of the 5 days include – holding space; storying our story with nature-based metaphors and more; attuning and resonance with each other and the natural world; creating coherence from separation. To book your space and find out more information, follow this link.
Lead Teacher in Outdoor Learning– 22nd – 22rd April, Stirling University.
Aimed at teachers who would like to develop the outdoor learning culture in their school. The two-day course aims to equip practitioners with practical skills, knowledge and understanding to embed outdoor learning across their setting or whole school community. Conducted by Learning Through Landscapes.
Step up your game as a campaigner – Online, Shelia McKechnie Foundation.
Explore various specialist workshops designed to provide advice, tools and information to help you succeed in campaigning. They work for those who are new to campaigning or who want to hone their skills in a particular specialist area. They offer a series of three-hour online workshops with a focus on active learning. To find out more information and book, check out the website here.
Some exciting job opportunities available:
Programmes Support and Communications Officer: Sheila McKechnie Foundation (London) (Deadline 24th February)
Care farm Education and Wellbeing Officer – Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (Oaksey) (Deadline 24th February)
Apply to be a Project Ambassador Back The Future is a one year project looking for six young adult Project Ambassadors (2 young farmers, 2 FLAME members, and 2 students), experience includes influencing decision makers about food and farming issues and much more
Biodiversity Officer – Oxfordshire County Council (Deadline 9th March)
For a wide range of further opportunities, do look at:
And to wrap it up…
Black Snow
An interesting documentary that came out last year, Black Snow follows a Siberian mother’s uncovering of a coal scandal. Directed by Alina Simone, it explores Natalia Zubkova fight for the truth and justice, whilst conflicting with governmental authorities. Follow this link to watch the trailer.
Sharing News and Contact Details
Please do share our news round-up with colleagues who might be interested. If someone has shared it with you and you would like to join NAEE to support our work, you can do so here.
National Association for Environmental Education (UK)
Email: info@naee.org.uk Web: http://naee.org.uk