London Environmental Educators' Forum LEEF

Aged 16-25 and looking to connect with others who share your interest in nature? 🍃

We have some good news, as the Field Studies Council Young Darwin Scholarship is back for 2026! 🙌

This heavily subsidised scholarship allows participants to take part in an opportunity of their choice – choose from ecology camp, conservation with John Muir, snorkelling for marine biology and
more!

100% of last year’s scholars said they’d recommend it!

Find out more and apply before the 27th May 2026:
www.field-studies-council.org/young-darwin-scholarship-applications/

The Field Studies Council

It's again and this week we are highlighting London Wildlife Trust and their work connecting communities and young people in London with nature. 🏙️🌿

give us a chance to shout out the amazing people and organisations that are members of LEEF, highlight the incredible work they do, and advise you on ways you can engage with them. 💚💚💚

London Wildlife Trust are a grassroots movement dedicated to looking after wild spaces in London, and increasing people's understanding of and connection to the natural world. 🌍

They run hundred of events each year for families, schools, adults and young people across the breadth of the capital.

Particularly revolutionary is their work to engage young people and support the building of green skills through the Keeping it Wild Collective and their paid Traineeships. 💼

If you want to find out more about London Wildlife Trust events, volunteering, or their traineeships, visit https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/ to find out more!

It's again and this week we are highlighting South London Botanical Institute and their work connecting communities in London with joys of plants. 🌿🍂

give us a chance to shout out the amazing people and organisations that are members of LEEF, highlight the incredible work they do, and advise you on ways you can engage with them. 💚💚💚

South London Botanical Institute(SLBI) encourages everyone to learn about and from plants. Situated in Tulse Hill, they run botanical events, talks, walks and educational activities which aim to amplify the vital relationship between plants and people. 🌳❤️

They have exciting calendar of events included a family tree workshop on 9th April, an open house on 19th April and a plant sale on 17th May! 🗓️

If you want to find out more about SLBI's events, visiting their library or herbarium, and volunteering, visit South London Botanical Institute to find out more!

It's again and this week we are highlighting Woodlands Farm Shooters Hill and their work connecting communities in London with farming life, and where our food comes from. 🐖🚜🐔

give us a chance to shout out the amazing people and organisations that are members of LEEF, highlight the incredible work they do, and advise you on ways you can engage with them. 💚💚💚

Woodlands Farm Shooters Hill is an 89 acre working city farm on the border of the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley. As a charity Woodlands Farm is run as a conservation and education project, which provides an opportunity to find out about farming life and farm animals as well as a chance to experience the countryside within London. You can see native bird species, butterflies, wild flowers and ancient woodlands. 🦋🌼🌳

They are open to individuals, schools, families and community groups and have plenty of exciting Easter events coming up. 🐣🐇

If you want to find out more about the conservation work they do through their wildlife friendly farming, hedgerow conservation and monitoring, visit https://www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org/ to find out more!

It's again and this week we are highlighting Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland and their work promoting the study, understanding and enjoyment of British and Irish botany. 🌼🌿🌾

give us a chance to shout out the amazing people and organisations that are members of LEEF, highlight the incredible work they do, and advise you on ways you can engage with them. 💚💚💚

Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (BSBI) is a leading organisation dedicated to the study, recording, and conservation of wild plants across Britain and Ireland. Founded in 1836, it brings together experts, amateurs, conservationists, and enthusiasts to advance botanical knowledge. 🍀🔍

The BSBI manage one of the largest biological recording projects in the world and support evidence-based conservation, informing governments NGOs about plant trends, declines and habitat change. They also publish scientific papers and atlases widely used in the field by botanists. 📖

Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland run a large number of public events to build up botanical skills within the community. Check out the last picture to see all upcoming events in London, and then visit their website to get more information on how to book! 📆🪻

https://bsbi.org/

It's again and this week we are highlighting The Hive and their work supporting schools, families and adult learners in engaging with the climate emergency through nature-based learning. 🌳🌻🐾

give us a chance to shout out the amazing people and organisations that are members of LEEF, highlight the incredible work they do, and advise you on ways you can engage with them. 💚💚💚

The Hive (formally Suntrap) is an environmental Education centre in Epping Forest that welcomes schools, community groups, families and adult learners to a lush 7 acre site to learn about the environment, biodiversity and how to take action to address climate change and biodiversity loss. 🌱

The Hive also welcome corporate groups and adult learners to their site with regular training opportunities like carbon literacy training and ISEP accredited programmes. They also run more holistic workshops for adults such as wellbeing workshops and the monthly wild women's group. 📖🍃

To find out more visit:
https://thehiveintheforest.co.uk/calendar-events-and-activities 🔗

It's again and this week we are highlighting The Royal Parks and their work supporting schools, families and adult learners in connecting with London’s nature and heritage. 🏙️🌳

give us a chance to shout out the amazing people and organisations that are members of LEEF, highlight the incredible work they do, and advise you on ways you can engage with them. 💚💚💚

The Royal Parks learning program offers engaging, hands-on educational experiences that connect students and families with London's Royal Parks.

For schools, they offer immersive curriculum-linked experiences covering subjects such as biology, ecology, and environmental awareness from EYFS up to post-16 study. Family learning activities are also a key part of the offering, with education centres in Hyde Park and Greenwich Park hosting workshops that celebrate the parks' nature and heritage. These activities aim to foster a connection with the environment across all ages through interactive and practical engagement. 🍂🔎🐌

They also offer plenty of workshops for adults ranging from guided walks to creative writing courses. So whether you are learning to enhance your own work in the environmental sector, or just for enjoyment there is an option that is right for you!

Visit https://www.royalparks.org.uk/learn to find out more.

It's again and this week we are highlighting the excellent Bloom Nature Education and their work helping schools integrate nature into the curriculum. 📖🌿

give us a chance to shout out the amazing people and organisations that are members of LEEF, highlight the incredible work they do, and advise you on ways you can engage with them. 💚💚💚

Bloom believes that learning from nature can transform young people’s lives. In the turmoil of a social media-driven world, young people rarely have the chance to stop and connect with the living world around them. Their mission is to redress this imbalance by providing the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature, exploring key themes like interdependence, diversity, health and harmony. 🌍💚🫶

Bloom Nature Education are looking for several new enthusiastic and experienced freelance staff to help deliver outdoor nature sessions to inner London schools. If this is of interest head to their website to find out more.

https://bloomeducation.co.uk/

Its just two weeks until the next LEEF training event, this time kindly hosted by South London Botanical Institute 🌿

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bringing-plants-to-life-engaging-audiences-with-plant-collections-tickets-1698090116249?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&_gl=1*1040tyw*_up*MQ..*_ga*ODI5MzM2NTgzLjE3NzA4MDQzMTg.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NzA4MDQzMTgkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzA4MDQzMTgkajYwJGwwJGgw

Bringing Plants to Life: Engaging Audiences with Plant Collections
Thursday 26th February 2026
6.30 - 8.30 PM

Explore both scientific and artistic approaches to engaging with plants and plant collections. SLBI's nationally significant, open access herbarium, offers rich opportunities for teaching, learning, and creativity. This workshop is designed for educators and community facilitators who want to explore ways of engaging learners of all ages with plants.

Through practical examples, we’ll consider how plants and plant collections can support learning in science, art, and the humanities. Participants will explore approaches ranging from investigating plant distribution, to inspiring creative writing and artistic responses. We’ll also share case studies on using pavement plant walks, creative writing, and volunteering to connect adult learners, families, and school groups with the collection.

Join us to discover fresh strategies for bringing plant archives to life and making learning about plants relevant, accessible, and inspiring for diverse audiences.

Free for LEEF members - check the newsletter for the discount code!

It's again and this week we are highlighting the excellent WWT London Wetland Centre and their work providing environmental education to schools, families and communities across London. 💚💚💚

The London Wetland Centre is a 40 acre nature reserve managed by the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT) in Barnes. The area was originally a series of disused reservoirs but was converted into a mosaic of wetland habitats in 2000. It is now home to a large number of wild and captive populations of birds and a diverse education programme. 🐦‍⬛🦆🦢🪿

London Wetland Centre provides unique opportunities for learners of all ages and abilities to get close to wetland wildlife from the UK and across the world. To find out more follow WWT London Wetland Centre or visit their website. 🍃👇

https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/plan-your-visit/school-visits