Projects
The Royal Parks offers young people an opportunity to connect with nature and conservation in a safe and inclusive environment.
Green Futures is an ambitious and innovative programme connecting hundreds of young people with nature conservation and heritage in the Royal Parks, gaining new skills to help combat the climate emergency.
The project is grounded in research showing that nurturing a "sense of place" guides students in making sense of their world both at the local and global levels. It allows them to think about themselves and their place on the planet, equipping students to take thoughtful and active action in their communities. This happens in three main ways: affective (emotional bonds), cognitive (knowledge, thinking), and psychomotor (behaviour, action)*, which guide the Green Futures Project’s outcomes.
- Outcome 1: Develop environmental awareness and place-knowledge of the Royal Parks (Cognitive)
- Outcome 2: Develop a sense of belonging and appreciation for the Royal Parks (Affective)
- Outcome 3: Instil pro-environmental behaviours among students (Behavioural)
"The pupils have loved every moment of it. They have learnt new things, skills and made friends across KS3, KS4 and KS5. Honestly, this experience for our pupils has and always will be invaluable. They have been able to connect with nature and this is personified through the opportunity to return to the same location and see the results of their labour. Thank you all again." - Lead teacher with a school participating in 2024-25
What's involved?
Green Futures offers a unique transformational programme for KS3 and Y12 students in the Royal Parks, giving them practical skills in support of biodiversity and the climate emergency; team and leadership skills; and an increased understanding of careers in the natural heritage sector. Activities are closely linked to the National Curriculum.
Participating schools can choose their preferred year group within KS3, with the whole year group coming each term for a day of practical conservation related activities in the Royal Parks - either in historic Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens; or the spectacular Bushy Park. Activities cross the following themes:
- Habitat Management– Fosters a sense of ownership to the park and agency to make change through conservation work such as bulb planting.
- Ecological Monitoring – Provides knowledge of ecological issues facing the parks as well as field work skills like species identification.
- Behind the Scenes – Includes activities such as park nursery visits to demonstrate how parks are managed and to raise awareness of the diversity of environmental roles.
Schools also recruit up to sixteen Year 12 students to the “Green Leaders” strand, developing a linked practical project in the park, leading the younger students during their visits and earning an ASDAN** award in the process. Any Y12 students are welcome but it particularly suits students studying Biology and Environmental Science.
The programme follows research which suggests that longer term interventions are significantly more effective at promoting a lasting connection to nature compared to one-day field trips***.
Register your interest
Want to find out more? Email us at learn@royalparks.org.uk with your name, phone number, school name and rough estimate of how many students you’d like to involve.
