The New Forest National Park Authority’s education and youth team has been named as a finalist in the School Travel Awards.
The team has been nominated in the Education/Learning Team of the Year category, recognising outstanding commitment to enriching young people’s learning experiences through innovative, curriculum-linked programmes that inspire and engage students across diverse subjects and age groups.
Last financial year, the education and youth team helped more than 2,000 young people to connect with nature in the National Park through school and curriculum visits, and a further 1,600 young people through youth engagement and green careers outreach. The team also facilitated training for 35 people at university, teacher and other professional levels.
The NPA’s travel grant enables local rural and urban schools to access learning venues across the New Forest and has enabled almost 3,500 pupil-days of experience across 12 different providers. Schools were pleased to receive an uplift in this grant from £150 to £250 toward coach travel in the face of higher transport costs – often a barrier to getting young people into nature.
As part of the DEFRA-funded Generation Green 2 scheme, the NPA worked with the Countryside Education Trust (CET) in Beaulieu, to provide funded visits for more than 600 eligible young people living in areas of social disadvantage to connect with the National Park.
The visits encouraged nature connection through coast and river experiences and an evening under the stars with the NPA education and youth and ranger teams, as well as farm and woodland discovery sessions with the CET.
The education and youth team has also engaged with young people outside of education settings through the Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) scheme funded through the National Lottery Community Fund.
In the first two years of the YouCAN scheme, around 41 Junior Rangers, aged 11-18, registered and 13 sessions were delivered, including practical conservation tasks, hedge planting, bench building, and learning about coastal and freshwater habitats. A further 63 young people took part across 12 bespoke Junior Ranger sessions.
Lead education and youth officer, Helen Robinson, said: ‘The New Forest NPA education and youth team is passionate about young people and building and inspiring connections with green and blue spaces in the National Park. So, it’s an honour to be recognised and hear we’re named as a finalist in the School Travel Awards.
‘We work tirelessly to offer the best experiences and opportunities for young people in and around the New Forest, whether through school visits to sites in the Forest, supporting green careers, or engagement with the YouCAN scheme.’
The team also established a New Forest Youth Board in September 2024. The Youth Board is made up of young adults between the ages of 18-30 who aim to promote youth voice across the New Forest and play a key role in shaping and influencing the care and future planning of the National Park.
Through YouCAN, and with support from partner organisations, the NPA education and youth team has also been able to provide practical volunteering opportunities for 18-30 year olds designed to fit around their work and education. As well as workshops and training sessions for the New Forest Green Careers Network, which it also coordinates. So far these volunteers have amassed 445 hours and the Green Careers Network now has 76 members across 12 organisations and some independents.
New Forest NPA member and chair of the YouCAN board, Brice Stratford said: ‘This is an incredible achievement from the education and youth team and a testament to their dedication in helping young people experience the special qualities of the National Park and become champions of it for the future.’
A teacher at Durweston Primary School said: ‘On the day the children gained so much knowledge which reinforced their classroom learning. The NPA staff’s knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm was valued.’
The New Forest was awarded national park status 20 years ago and an education team has been in place at the NPA since 2006.
The NPA team was nominated alongside The Auckland Project (Durham), The Ocean Conservation Trust Learning Team (Plymouth) and Warner Bros Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter Learning Team (London).
The winner will be revealed at the School Travel Awards ceremony taking place at the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel, London on Friday 21 November.