Helping the next generation connect with our amazing planet
March 28, 2022
A raft of inspiring initiatives are launching to help connect young people with nature and empower them to get involved in climate action.
The South Downs National Park Trust is announcing several schemes, including grants for schools across Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire, funding for nature-based activities and a fun eco-art competition.
It comes as the Trust, the official independent charity for the National Park, is stepping up activities in 2022 to ensure more young people than ever before can enjoy the South Downs and connect with the amazing landscape, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Julie Fawcett, Chair of the South Downs National Park Trust, said: “Nature needs us now and that’s why all these initiatives are so important in the face of climate change.
“Young people are the future stewards of the South Downs, and indeed our planet, and so it’s vital that we help them learn about biodiversity and how we can protect it. Fortunately, young people are more natured-focused than perhaps ever before and there’s a real appetite to get involved with climate action.
“There are also many children and young people from towns and cities who may never have had the opportunity to visit a National Park and we’re committed to ensuring that everyone gets the chance to connect with the natural world.”
The initiatives include:
- Mini-grants of £150 are available for schools to carry out an activity during the forthcoming summer term that helps tackle climate change or helps biodiversity flourish. It could be creating new habitat for wildlife or encouraging responsible water usage, for example. Applications are open to schools in the National Park and within 10km of the boundary, including in places like Southampton, Portsmouth, Farnham, Bognor Regis and Eastbourne. The deadline for applications is 8 April.
- Youth Action Fund grants of up to £1,000 are now available. Organisations wanting to carry out projects that will empower and support young people between the ages of 12 and 25 to engage with the National Park are invited to apply. Beneficiaries last year included helping young refugees connect with the South Downs and 50 young people with complex learning needs taking part in nature activities and there is funding to support approximately five additional project. This fund is managed by the Trust on behalf of the National Park Authority and Clarion Housing and the deadline for applications is 28 April.
- A fun “clean-up and create” competition has been launched and is open to all five to 16 year olds living in Hampshire or Sussex. The “Art in the Park” contest invites young people to create an eco-art masterpiece out of any litter they find while exploring or being inspired by the National Park. Delivered by Sussex Green Living with funding from The Boltini Trust, winners will win up to £75 of art resources for their school or uniformed youth group. Individuals may enter via their guardian. The deadline for entries to the competition is midday 20 June.
For more information about any of the grants or initiatives visit www.southdownstrust.org.uk/schools/
For enquiries about the grants please email Miriam Swan at grants@southdowns.gov.uk
