What is the purpose of education? asks UNESCO in a new book to stimulate the discussion on the role of learning and education in the 21st century. The book, Rethinking education – towards a global common good? was released at the World Education Forum 2015 in Incheon, South Korea, and is part of the policy debate and negotiations…
Simon Fearnehough, founder and CEO of the Hideout House Company, which specializes in developing products for schools to help foster environmental awareness and sustainable thinking, contributes today’s blog post. Simon writes: If we are going to make any significant difference to help ease the burden on our planet’s resources, then awareness about environmental issues and…
Jennifer Allen, writes about the work of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum (PCF). The Forum is part of the Sustainable Pembrokeshire Environmental Education Link group (SPEEL) that was established in 2002 as a platform for ideas and practical discussion on how to positively promote and combine environmental education and sustainable development in Pembrokeshire. By taking a holistic and bespoke approach to sustainable management of the coast,…
In a recent Wildlife Trusts blog, Stephen Trotter (the Wildlife Trusts’ Director, England) looks at some of the problems facing birds of prey and habitats in the uplands of England. His post begins: “I’ve read with sadness and exasperation the reports of disappearing male hen harriers this spring and summer. Four male harriers have been reported…
A recent article by Day Nursaries (UK) says that a lack of outdoor adventures and too much electronic screen time is damaging children’s health. The article begins: “By spending more than 86 hours of the summer holidays staring at electronic devices, children are missing out on traditional outdoor activities, according to a new study published…
In 2007, Center Parcs became the first organisation in the UK to be awarded The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark standard for its short break locations in Cumbria, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk and Wiltshire. The Wildlife Trusts now say that, owing to the company’s hard work and commitment, it has maintained this standard for the subsequent seven years…
What do you know about the Shark Trust? It was established in 1997 and is the only UK registered charity working to advance the worldwide conservation of sharks through science, education, influence and action. The Trust undertakes a range of projects, campaigns and policy work to ensure the survival of this integral apex predator of our oceans. It’s also a founder member of the Shark Alliance, a…
We’ve had a couple of features on zoos in recent months. There was Allison Price’s feature article on US zoos, and blogpost about a Chris Packham zoos and their role in conservation. Today, here is a link to the BBC’s Discover Wildlife magazine, where there is an article about the killing of healthy animals in zoos.…
The Wildlife Trusts website hosts a regular series of blogs about a range of issues. You can read them all here. The picture here is of Black Rock nature reserve in Somerset which was a recent focus of the Special Features blog.
There has been recent media debate on who is really looking after the interests of the iconic hen harrier as it fights to re-establish itself on England’s moorlands. Is it the RSPB? Or the grouse shooting industry? Or, is it Natural England perhaps? Such debates are rich ground for educational discussions as they raise a…
Zion Lights, Home educator and writer, discusses her experience of Exeter Forest School, a not-for-profit social enterprise that focuses on outdoor learning. The school was founded in 2012 by Chris White, Tom Lowday and Shevek Pring. Their aim was simple – to bring the outdoors to young children, but they rapidly expanded into catering for all ages…
On Friday 21st August 2015, there will be a networking day at the Chelsea Physic Garden: Engaging science – creating links between science and environmental education. The day will explore how science can be linked to work in informal education such as botanic gardens, sustainability, museums and outdoor education settings. There will be opportunities to network, discuss, debate and…