Harnessing Nature-Based Solutions in Education for Climate Action

About the Event

This interactive and experiential afternoon will bring together educators, students, sustainability experts, and community partners to explore how nature-based approaches in education can drive meaningful climate action.

Timed to coincide with UN Environment Day - and Liverpool Climate Impact Week - the session will spotlight local solutions with global relevance from Forest Schools and urban gardening to curriculum transformation and community collaboration.

Benefits

• Showcase how education fosters environmental awareness and climate responsibility.
• Highlight nature-based solutions (e.g., Forest Schools, green spaces, permaculture) as tools for action and wellbeing.
• Share and celebrate community-led initiatives already working towards a greener future.
• Build connections between educators, community groups, policymakers, and students for long-term impact.

Location

Student Life Building, Copperas Hill, Liverpool, L3 5AJ

Event Plan & Flow

Welcome & Opening Circle (15 mins)
Location: Fire Pit
Led by: Ange & Colm (Event Co-Leads)

• Introduction to Climate Impact Week and UN Environment Day
• Overview of nature-based education and its relevance (Ange / Colm)
• Set the tone: community, reflection, and collaboration

Fireside Chat – "Rooted Solutions" (30 mins)
Speakers include:

• Ange / Colm – Forest Schools & Educational Sustainability
• Avril – Outdoor Learning and Education
• Tally - Greening the Campus
• Guest from Growing Sudley / Strawberry Fields / Mersey Forest

Discussion Themes:

• The power of outdoor learning in urban environments
• Community-based climate action
• Educational transformation through sustainability
• Audience Q&A

Breakout Circles – "Growing Ideas" (30 mins)
Locations: Around the OLA and Outdoor Classroom
Facilitated by: Academics
Groups:

• Curriculum for Climate Action – How to embed sustainability across subjects
• Forest Schools & Outdoor Learning – Practice-sharing and scaling nature-based models
• Community Collaboration – Linking schools, councils, and grassroots groups

Each group will harvest ideas on a collaborative display.

Solutions Mapping (20 mins)

• Regroup to share each breakout group’s key insights.
• Use a visual map to connect local ideas to wider global goals (e.g., SDGs).
• Identify immediate next steps and partnership opportunities.

Reflections & Call to Action (10 mins)
Led by: Ange & Colm

• Recap of insights
• A call to act locally while thinking globally
• Invitation to join ongoing projects (e.g., outdoor learning networks, student volunteering, Growing Sudley open days)

Refreshments & Networking (30 mins)

• Locally sourced snacks, teas, and fruit
• Creative takeaway activities:
• Pot-a-plant station
• Eco-vase decorating corner
• Space to connect with guests and share ideas informally