This year’s OVO Foundation Nature Prize, part of the Let’s Go Zero initiative, awarded £500 to 30 educational settings across the UK. Schools, colleges, and nurseries received this funding for their innovative green projects. These initiatives aim to connect students and local communities with nature and inspire climate action.
A staggering 78% of primary school children are worried about climate change (Gelmini, 2025). Programs like the Nature Prize are crucial in addressing these concerns by promoting environmental education. Projects from this year’s winners focused on three key areas: Adaptation and Resilience, Community, and Green Skills.
Adaptation and Resilience
Schools can integrate sustainability into their curriculums in creative ways. For example, Lenthall Infant & Nursery School in Derbyshire created a bee pollination and sensory garden. This outdoor space helps teach kids about biodiversity and the importance of pollinators. Headteacher Kerry Moody emphasizes that sustainability is central to their educational approach, and they want their youngest learners to feel empowered.
Prettygate Junior School in Colchester is tackling the rising risks of flooding and drought through a rainwater management project. By establishing rain gardens, they aim to control water levels while providing students with hands-on learning opportunities.
Green Skills
Nature projects also equip students with practical skills. Stoke Park Primary School in Bristol is launching a gardening club to teach kids how to grow fruits and vegetables. According to eco-lead Esme Rogers, this project fosters an understanding of sustainability and environmental careers.
Other initiatives include a “Living Laboratory” at Alford Primary School and a butterfly farm at Goat Lees Primary School, both of which enhance student experience and foster community involvement.
Community Engagement
Many projects extend their impact beyond school grounds. Co-op Academy Delius in Bradford is starting a growing area and seed library to involve local families. Their aim is to make environmental sustainability a shared responsibility within the community.
At St Matthew’s Primary School, students are designing a guide to help families grow their own food, creating a connection between home and school. Meanwhile, Bluecoat Primary Academy in Nottingham is converting land into a Miyawaki forest, allowing families to take an active role in caring for the environment.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
The Nature Prize demonstrates that whether a school is in the city or countryside, it can contribute to climate action. Innovative ideas foster connections between students, communities, and nature. Previous winners have created kitchen gardens and wildlife habitats, promoting hands-on learning experiences.
Alex Green from the Let’s Go Zero campaign highlights the quality of the projects, noting that nature-rich schools offer numerous benefits. They help students remain active and engage in meaningful, hands-on activities.
If you’re interested in starting a nature project at your school, support is available. Let’s Go Zero offers free advice to schools across England. Their climate action advisors have already assisted over 3,000 settings in developing climate action plans and securing funding.
For more on this year’s winners and to find out how to connect with a climate action advisor, check the Let’s Go Zero website. The initiative aims to unite schools in their goal of reaching zero carbon by 2030, paving the way for a sustainable future.
