The Education Leaders’ Forum on Nature Restoration brought together policy-makers and educators. It provided an important opportunity to highlight the critical role education plays but more importantly how it can support Government in meeting the ambitious targets as set out in the Nature Restoration Law.   

Learning about Ecosystems and Forests (LEAF) Programme Manager Rachel Geary was invited to take part in a panel discussion at the event, it provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase the vital work of LEAF.  Rachel spoke about LEAFs focus on educating the educators, and the valuable support LEAF provides teachers to help overcome the concerns and barriers around outdoor education.

‘By embedding restoration concepts in schools, the very spaces where the future policy makers of tomorrow are shaped, we can ensure that future generations grow up with the knowledge, skills, and agency to participate in ecosystem restoration efforts as a core part of their lives.’  Rachel Geary, LEAF Programme Manager

Joining the round table discussions, alongside, LEAFs Programme Manager, An Taisce colleagues Clare Patten and Joanne Scott from Green-Schools Ireland, and Dr Aileen Bright from GLOBE Ireland shared their expertise, exploring how education can play a role in the Nature Restoration Law.

Their valuable insights into environmental education successfully showcase the huge rewards possible from being able to build knowledge and skills across all levels — from younger learners to adults.

Thanks to the Chair of the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration, Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain (PhD), National Parks and Wildlife Service and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on creating this platform for dialogue and collaboration.

The LEAF presentation from the forum event:

Learning about Ecosystems and Forests (LEAF) is an educational restoration programme, an international programme of FEE the Foundation for Environmental Education and An Taisce are the National Operators for LEAF here in Ireland.  LEAF focuses on educating the educators. We believe implementing an educational restoration programme that targets teachers has far more potential to educate and influence a much greater number of students, while meaningfully contributing to the SDG Goals.   

We know there is a wealth of evidence showing those who spend time outside connecting with nature see improvements in school attendance, behaviours, academic achievement, and social skills. However, a lot less has been done to understand whether youth in disadvantaged communities are less likely than their wealthier counterparts to spend time in nature.  Although, initial studies do indicate that they are statistically at greater risk of being disconnected. Therefore, going forward LEAF would like to concentrate our efforts around youth in DEIS schools and disadvantaged areas.  

We engage participants in the restoration process from start to finish with a focus on educating about the important role healthy, resilient ecosystems play. Importantly, LEAF supports the transfer the skills to care for and interact with these new outdoor living classroom spaces now and into the future.  We implement best practice, inclusivity and accessibility for all ages and abilities.

Participants are trained in Citizen Science skills and methodologies, with both practical and theoretical elements that complement the current STEAM approach.  Including how to submit records to the National Biodiversity Data Centre and of course we also promote the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

Our projects assist Government Policy both at local and national levels, particularly the Local Biodiversity Action Plans.  The targets as set out in the Nature Restoration Law are ambitious. We know tree planting and restoration is critical in terms of biodiversity loss.  However, large-scale restoration alone is not the solution.   

It needs to be part of an integrated whole system approach, which can only become a reality through education, upskilling, awareness raising with support, alongside smaller scale planting and restoration initiatives such as ours.

We focus on whole systems approach.  There are now more requirements in both primary and secondary schools for education for sustainable development, nature and climate literacy as well as the promotion of wellbeing.  These are often approached in isolation, which creates an additional workload for schools and teachers.   

While new subjects such as Climate Action and Sustainable Development are welcomed, we know from speaking to teachers that they don’t always feel equipped to deliver these new subjects. To increase the teacher’s capacity to deliver quality education for sustainable development, gain confidence and not feel overloaded, they need support with active outdoor learning. They need support to see their grounds with new eyes and discover the nature on their doorstep. Which is sometimes hard to see when so many of our school grounds consist mostly of tarmac, concrete, mowed grass and a few token trees.  

Through our LEAF programme they take part in practical projects and are part of transforming their school grounds into exciting, immersive and inspiring places that they feel a connection with.   

LEAF understands the concerns and barriers around outdoor learning and has been working with schools and three teacher training colleges to support, overcome and manage them with creative solutions.  Supporting the educators must be a priority if we are to create opportunities for young people to engage in action for sustainable development.  We know that when educators feel supported, and their confidence grows over time, they will naturally transfer these skills and confidence to their students.  This can only be achieved with regular in person support and skills transfer sessions. Supporting teachers regularly in their own school grounds is the most critical element of the LEAF programme.

An Taisce also runs the Green-Schools and Green Campus programmes, therefore, we have access to a vast network and schools and colleges throughout Ireland. LEAF has the skills and experience to restore school and college grounds and to the support the teachers. All we need is financial support to enable us to carry out this vital work.