The Department for Education (DfE) has announced £15 million in funding as part of a wider roll out of the National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Award scheme. This scheme, led by the Natural History Museum partnership, will be launched in the autumn and aims to drive and increase engagement with nature for all children and young people. 

The new funding will be available to support settings and young people who need the most help in accessing nature. For example, the money could be used to buy equipment to help empower disadvantaged children to take part in nature-based activity or to provide accessible routes to nature in SEND schools.

The DfE will use evidence to develop the grant programme over time to ensure it supports settings to overcome barriers to accessing nature. The department will also develop partnerships and local networks to make the most of the many organisations and individuals that would like to offer practical assistance to settings to help them enhance the biodiversity of their sites. 

From the late autumn, you’ll be able to access more support to help you lead, develop and implement a climate action plan to take a holistic approach to sustainability – including participating in the Nature Park and Climate Action Award, teaching about climate change, and taking practical steps to adapt and decarbonise buildings for the future.

Schools can use these free online resources to plan future scheme activities, and begin their biodiversity journey ahead of the autumn roll-out.

Find out more about the National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Award.