Urban Wild Event 2026 & Southampton National Park City Campaign 
Ruth Magennis, Southampton National Park City Co-ordinator

Ruth gave an overview of the National Park City Campaign, why it’s important now and for future generations, the progress that has been made and how young people can get involved.  View the slides.

Blackbird Environmental Fund
Rick Page & Steve Bowles

Rick and Steve gave an update on the environmental support grant for schools in and around Southampton. The fund has so far supported projects at a number of schools including Oasis Mayfield Academy, Marchwood Infant School and Foundry Lane Primary School, and several others are in discussion.

More information about the project and how local schools can apply for funding is available on the Blackbird Environmental Fund website

Dirt
Author, Laura Baggaley

This new YA book Dirt is a novel which focuses on teen themes of fitting in, first love, friendship and belonging, but is also an educational resource which connects to the science curriculum in its exploration of plants and microorganisms. A discount on copies for schools is available.  Find out more on the website and Download a free school resources pack

The Jigsaw project
Denise Baden, Professor of Sustainable Practice

As sustainability is now a greater requirement in education, this is the perfect time to develop a fun tool that can be applied across disciplines to generate discussion in an atmosphere of hope.

The climate crisis is serious, and the danger is that we can create climate anxiety in a vulnerable population and/or avoidance from others who just don’t want to think about it.

This approach focuses on solutions, not problems – the picture on the front of the jigsaw puzzle represents the sustainable future we aspire to reach, and I’d love to involve younger people in deciding what looks like for them, and then working out which pieces of the puzzle might be necessary to get us there. For example, students could draw/write on blank pieces and then work out how they connect. The idea aligns nicely with many topics, from science, geography, social sciences, humanities etc.

Different classes can focus on these topics in isolation and be part of the co-creation process, sharing their visions of a sustainable flourishing future on a website. Later there will be an actual jigsaw to make use of.

The project has already begun as a fortnightly free LinkedIn newsletter: ‘A Jigsaw to Save the World’ where each edition corresponds to a chapter/jigsaw piece.

You can find out more here: https://www.dabaden.com/a-jigsaw-to-save-the-world/ – scroll down to get to the school’s section.

I’m keen to engage teachers in the development process so I can get an idea of how the jigsaw (both the blank versions and later the complete version) can be utilised in class settings. I’m also keen to understand what young people’s idea of a flourishing future looks like. This will also help me when it is finished, and I’m ready to market the final products.

Please get in touch (d.a.baden@soton.ac.uk) or forward details to any others who might want to collaborate with me or make use of the idea.

Let’s Go Zero
Libby Terraz and Alison Von Landau and Dave Gillett, Mansbridge Primary

Libby, Dave and Allison gave an overview of the work they have been doing on their year 1 climate action plan at Mansbridge School. Libby has shared her slides.

Terravita Wilderness Therapeutic Practice
Anneka Schofield, Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Practitioner

Anneka led an outdoor session with a focus on connecting to nature and trying some of the activities we use to support our mental health using nature. Nature Prescriptions are a formal recommendation and guided conversation from a professional or trusted person to encourage individuals to spend time in nature to support their mental health. There is an activity book to support individuals to follow in a time that suits them. These are designed to be just a few minutes and can be done from inside to help address some of the inequalities to accessing nature. It is free to the recipient but there is a cost for the prescribers training and the booklets. These are often funded by grants. For more information, please search RSPB Nature Prescriptions or email natureprescriptions@rspb.org.uk.

Wilderness therapeutic intervention is aimed at groups of up to 8 individuals to support well-being or those having difficulties with Social, Emotional or Mental Health. The programs are led by a trained professional in a green space with specific activities to support the aim of the program and group members. To find out more, please visit my webpage or get in touch, www.terravitawtp.co.uk.

Just a reminder to find time for yourselves this week and spend a few moments connecting to nature. Perhaps look at the clouds changing shape, smell the Spring scents or try a micro painting of a leaf or flower.