Nature in Schools: Why It Matters
Biodiversity loss is a major issue because ecosystems rely on a wide variety of species to function properly. When species disappear, it disrupts natural processes like pollination, soil health, water purification, and carbon storage all of which humans depend on for survival. This decline also makes ecosystems less resilient to climate change and extreme weather, increasing risks for food security and human health. Schools, as part of their communities, have an opportunity to respond proactively and demonstrate sustainable practices. Creating meaningful connections with nature helps students build environmental understanding and resilience.
Why Schools Should Engage
Schools have a unique role in shaping future generations. Enhancing biodiversity on school grounds, through planting native species, creating habitats, or reducing chemical use, supports climate mitigation by absorbing carbon and aids adaptation by cooling spaces and managing water. Outdoor learning enriches the curriculum, improving wellbeing and academic outcomes while deepening students’ connection to the natural world. Furthermore, involving the wider school community in these initiatives can build shared responsibility and strengthens social cohesion around sustainability goals.
Actions and Embedding Sustainability
Practical steps include creating wildlife gardens, installing bird boxes, reducing paved areas, and integrating nature-based projects into science, geography, and art lessons. Schools can embed sustainability by linking these actions to policies, staff training, and student leadership programs. Celebrating achievements through assemblies, newsletters, and partnerships with local environmental groups reinforces a culture where caring for nature becomes part of everyday school life. Long-term commitment ensures that sustainability is not a one-off project but a core value shaping decisions and behaviours.
Looking for expertise? The Suffolk County Council Ecology Team can help. You can get in touch with them through
Introduction to Biodiversity Presentation
This short video from Suffolk Sustainable Schools Network talks through the definition of biodiversity and explores why it matters both globally and locally. It also discusses the network’s top tips that schools can take action to protect nature.
National Education Nature Park
This video introduces the National Education Nature Park which offers free tools, curriculum resources, and expert support to help schools map habitats, improve biodiversity, and embed climate education. It provides funding guidance, local networks, and practical advice to create greener, healthier learning environments.
Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership
This video summarises the work of Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery partnership. Their strategy sets priorities for restoring habitats, protecting species, and creating a Nature Recovery Network. It offers mapping tools, guidance for landowners and communities, funding links, and collaboration opportunities to reverse biodiversity loss and support climate resilience.
Woodland Trust offers free curriculum-linked resources for outdoor learning, including Tree Tools for Schools, wildlife ID sheets, and nature activities. Support includes tree-planting packs, assemblies, and the Green Tree Schools Award, helping schools improve biodiversity, wellbeing, and environmental education.
RSPB supports schools with free nature-based activities, curriculum-linked resources, and initiatives like Wild Challenge and Big Schools’ Birdwatch. It also offers educational visits to reserves and newsletters to help teachers inspire pupils to connect with and protect nature.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust supports schools through nature reserve visits, curriculum-linked outdoor learning, and the Wilder Schools programme to embed nature education and biodiversity projects. It also offers teacher training in Forest School and outdoor learning, helping schools connect pupils with Suffolk’s wildlife.
The National Landscapes Team support schools in/on the border of the two areas. They offer Wilder Together kits for lessons, advice on school grounds management for wildlife, volunteering opportunities for students (e.g. for DofE), and green careers support.
