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Who we are
Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link) is the largest nature coalition in England, bringing together 86 organisations to use their joint voice for the protection of the natural world. The Education and Learning Policy Group at Link aims to further the policy agenda of greater inclusion of nature within all education settings.
Our policy ask
We are calling for a statutory requirement (legal requirement) for all education settings in England to provide access to and regular engagement with nature for children. This includes ensuring school grounds provide green space that is biodiverse and safe, spending regular time in nature as part of the curriculum, and using nature as a learning setting.
Access to and engagement with nature in education will be vital to tackling and adapting to the biodiversity and nature crisis, as well as promoting health and wellbeing and the success of children and young people. The Government has recognised the importance of nature within education, including in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and the Department for Education’s (DfE) Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy.
However, the current plans do not go far enough to guarantee that every child in England has the level of access, contact and quality of connection with nature required to achieve the vision of the EIP and the DfE’s strategy.
In our policy paper (see links below), we set out the gaps in the Government’s current approach and make the case for a statutory (legal) requirement for nature within all education settings in England to provide access to and regular high-quality engagement with nature; ensuring all children have equal opportunity to benefit from connecting and engaging experientially with nature.
Please read the full policy here or the summary document here.
We would love to gather your views on improving access to nature in education on you, schools, and young people. By completing the survey below (5 – 10 mins), you will help us to better call the Government to meaningful action.
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Also in the policy hub: