Nature of learning Forest School Environmental Sustainability Policy Environmental Sustainability

Environmental Sustainability Policy Version [V1]– March 2024 Review Date – March 2026 Adopted from Charlotte’s Forest School Environmental Sustainability Policy

Environmental Sustainability Policy At Nature of learning Forest School we recognise the potential impact of Forest School activities on the natural environment and endeavour to ensure that the work that we do encourages learners to develop a high level of respect for the natural world, maintains the sustainable use of the woodland and enhances its biodiversity and ecological value. We achieve this through educating the learners who use the woodland and by taking steps to protect, conserve and develop diversity within the flora and fauna of the woodland.

We carry out an environmental impact assessment to evaluate the impact of activities in the woodland and we use the outcomes of this to inform our sustainable woodland management plan.

Management activities are aimed at protecting and enhancing the biodiversity of the woodland and include: • Coppicing • Selective thinning • Establishing habitats for insects and small mammals • Replenishing tree stock through planting. • Developing the ground flora through planting bulbs. • Pathway creation.

During Forest School sessions we teach learners to look after the woodland – this is one of our ‘things we remember’ at Forest School and we discuss what that means, e.g. using natural resources from the woodland floor rather than picking leaves and flowers, taking care when looking for insects and ensuring that any found are returned to their habitat, etc. We involve learners in clearing away at the end of each session and leaving the woodland as they found it.

 Nature of learning Forest School holds environmental sustainability as a core value. When resourcing Forest School sessions and running training, we are mindful of reducing waste and of the need to re-cycle and re-use rather than buying new. Through doing this we hope to demonstrate and encourage a wider respect for the environment. We know that the choices we make as buyers and consumers have a wider impact on the environment and we take this into account in our purchases by ensuring that, where possible, we buy items which are • Produced as locally as possible • From sustainable or renewable sources • Produced ethically with regards to the environment, and to workers’ and animal welfare • Packaged efficiently.