Over 10,000 pupils from 26 primary and secondary schools participated in the Futura Eco Summit and took positive action to improve biodiversity in their schools' outdoor spaces.
To reduce the summit's carbon footprint, it was held in individual schools, with opportunities to collaborate virtually with pupils from other schools.
Tom Walmsley, Director of Nature Connection, Chair of Avon Schools Eco network and National Lead for the Ministry of Eco Education, launched the conference with a live broadcast to each school.
Pupils then collaborated virtually within their school triads to generate ideas as well as enhance their understanding of biodiversity in workshops supported by resources from the Ministry of Eco Education and Energy Sparks.
After Zest provided a delicious, carbon-neutral, plant-based, and single-use plastic-free lunch, the children were ready to roll up their sleeves and take action.
Groups of children worked to improve their schools’ greenspaces. Projects ranged from building bird boxes, creating bug hotels, litter picking, and planting butterfly-friendly plants.
Claire Graham, who leads Futura’s climate and nature strategy, said: "The Eco Summit was an impactful and enriching day where pupils from across Futura Learning Partnership came together to work towards the common goal of improving biodiversity. It was a great opportunity to demonstrate the power of working together as a family of schools. I look forward to seeing the results of the pupils' hard work over the coming year! A huge thank you to Katie Sharp from Willowdown and Emmee Standeven from Chestnut Park, who led and organised the day so well."
Inspired by the summit, All Saints pupils wrote to Sir David Attenborough to share their achievements. They were very pleased to receive a reply thanking them for helping helping the environment.