Biodiversity |

What's the problem?

We have lost 72% of the world’s biodiversity in the last 50 years!

The UK government has made a commitment to protect and conserve a minimum of 30% of land and sea for biodiversity by 2030.

WWF’s Living Planet Report is published every two years, reporting the world’s leading, science-based analysis of the health of our planet and the impact of human activity.

Read the summary WWF Living Planet report 2024 and read the full report here.

Can your school give more space to nature?

The National Education Nature Park

The National Education Nature Park programme aims to embed nature-based learning in the curriculum, and encourage children and young people all over the country to take action to improve their site for people and wildlife.

The programme provides the support and guidance needed to make this happen, with five key steps in the journey and the actions needed to reach your goals.

Kew Gardens - Grow Your Teaching

The Schools Team at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has launched Grow Your Teaching – a brand-new professional development hub providing training and resources to teach about climate change using plants and fungi as a hook.

The Living Coast UNESCO biosphere

The Living Coast is a world UNESCO biosphere stretching from the chalky South Downs and Sussex coast between the River Adur at Shoreham-by-Sea and the River Ouse at Newhaven.

A biosphere reserve (or biosphere region) is an area designated by UNESCO to inspire a positive future for people and nature, by considering everything that’s needed to make life sustainable.

Biospheres exist to help us learn how best to balance biodiversity and sustainable development.

Find out about projects happening in our local biosphere.

How to grow?

RHS school gardening resources

Tips and ideas about how to grow

RHS school gardening risk assessment guidance

RHS guidance about school ponds

Food for Life resources

Visit our gardening page

Local groups and organisations

There are many local experts and groups who are happy to give advice to improve biodiversity locally. Each of these groups can point you in the direction of support.

The Greenhavens Network offers support and connections to biodiversity groups from Telscombe to Seaford including Lewes. Their website contains advice on how to support local wildlife and can link you to biodiversity projects in your area.

Visit the Lewes Climate Hub pages to find biodiversity groups, news, and projects in the Lewes area

Renaturing Seaford sharing awareness of the importance of biodiversity and nature in Seaford. Find out more about the groups working together to renature Seaford.

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Sussex Wildlife Trust champion wildlife and natural places everywhere in Sussex and inspire people to take action for nature.

Find lots of useful advice about local biodiversity, projects, and events on their website.

The Sussex Wildlife Trust offers training and support in wilder learning. Visit their page to find out more including details of forest school and wild beach leader training.

Stanmer Park, Brighton

Stanmer Park, Brighton is home to many ecological projects.

Buy your native hedging from Special Branch Nursery

Buy wildflower seeds and plug plants from the Wildflower Conservation Society.

Visit the orchard full of Sussex variety apples or spend time amongst the trees. Buy the juice from the shop in Stanmer village.

There is so much to do in Stanmer Park. Discover the Earth Ship – tours and activities can be arranged

or visit the One Garden, part of Plumpton College.

There are regular events run by different projects within the park. Visit Stanmer Organics to find out more or follow their facebook page for event updates.

Buglife and Froglife charities

Buglife

Find out why our insects are important from the Invertebrate Conservation Trust. Find support and resources for conserving bugs, and find out about local projects from their website.

Froglife

Find out how to support frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards and their habitats with Froglife – the national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles.

Biodiversity