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14 October 2024
Gov/Public Sector

UK Schools’ Nature Competition Opens to Give Biodiversity and Children a Boost

Schools around the UK have the chance to connect their students with nature and inspire them to take climate action, by applying to win an annual prize being launched this month.

The nature competition, run by Let’s Go Zero with support from OVO Foundation, will give schools the chance to win 10 prizes of £1000 and 15 prizes of £200 to fund nature-related projects in their schools, with a total of £13,000 for sustainable projects up for grabs.

To apply for one of the prizes, schools simply have to explain how they’d like to bring students closer to nature.

Alex Green, Head of Let’s Go Zero, the national campaign for all schools, colleges and nurseries to be zero carbon by 2030, says:

“Schools are key places to enact and inspire change in the next generation as well as the wider community, so this competition is a great boost to schools to put their ideas into action.

“We want schools to apply to this competition to help them to connect students to nature, boost biodiversity, create beautiful places for children to play and learn, and kickstart climate action. This is a great opportunity to get everyone working together to make something beautiful and educational, whilst having fun in the process. They’ll also be joining Let’s Go Zero, which offers them a whole range of free support on their zero carbon journey.”

The 2025 OVO Foundation Nature Prize opened on Monday 14 October 2024 and the deadline for applications is Monday 25 November.

Planting vegetables, creating outdoor learning spaces, or building bug hotels are just some of the ways schools can encourage nature in the school grounds, but the possibilities are endless, and schools are encouraged to be as creative as possible in their entries. Winners will be announced in Feb 2025.

Schools considering entering the competition can look to previous years’ winners for inspiration. The competition isn’t just about protecting nature, so schools can propose projects that are connected to food, adaptation and resilience, water, culture or managing waste too.

For instance, 2024 OVO Foundation Nature Prize winner in Watford, Kingswood Nursery School, have installed a willow dome in the playground since their win in February, giving students a tranquil and shaded area to play and explore.

Headteacher Ms Macdonald, says:

“Since the installation, our willow dome has become quite the feature of our garden; children, parents and staff all comment on it and are keen to explore inside! The dome is so open ended-the children love using it for picnics, a music space, experimenting with craft materials or just to seek a quiet place in the garden, where they lie back and stare at the sky.”

Another 2024 winner, Nether Edge Primary School in Sheffield, have used their £1000 win to transform a disused corner of the playground into a thriving garden. This will not only increase students’ opportunities for outdoor learning and nature connection but will also make the school itself more resilient to unpredictable and extreme weather. Adding dedicated shading areas, native species, and plants resistant to drought are innovative and much-needed ways of adapting to the worsening impacts of climate change.

Hannah Howard, Head of OVO Foundation, says:

“We are thrilled to be in our third year of the OVO Foundation Nature Prize, having seen the brilliant ideas that have come to fruition across the UK already. Giving children and young people hands-on experience while supporting schools to deliver their innovative nature and climate projects and embed more sustainable practice really brings our mission of a greener, brighter future for the next generation to life.”

Judges for the 2025 OVO Foundation Nature Prize will be particularly looking for projects whose impact reaches beyond the school gates. Schools can invite members of the community, local businesses, or other schools in to learn about, or take part in, their nature projects as part of widening the project’s impact.

Judges are also keen to see applications from schools in areas particularly vulnerable to climate impacts.

Schools can apply with video applications or use the written application form. Judges will look for creative and engaging ideas with the power to inspire young people and the wider school community, with a focus on including less advantaged groups.

For a chance to win a nature prize for your school sign up to Let’s Go Zero and follow the Competition info or email [email protected] to discuss application ideas.

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