Environment & Sustainability
The Centres have a strong reputation for promoting environmental awareness and sustainable lifestyles through our programmes, good practice and links with communities.
Through our work and the life of the Centres we aim to encourage:
- active citizenship
- healthy living
- active and co-operative learning
- awareness of the local and global environment
- personal responsibility.
Our ethos is based on caring for oneself, each other and the environment. The aims are closely tied to the “Every Child Matters” agenda.
Some schools take part in the John Muir Environmental Award and cover the four challenges: discover, explore, conserve and share during their course.
Centre staff were involved with the Tidy Britain Group in setting up the Eco- Centre Award and helping produce the first handbook. The Centre has an Eco-Centre Award. There is an Eco-Centre committee and action plans for improving good practice.
Many young people visiting the Centres work on local conservation projects with organisations such as Forest Enterprise, the National Trust and Brantwood Trust.
There have been many improvements to the grounds at Low Bank including creating wetland habitats and woodland, planting hedgerows, protecting the shoreline, planting native tree species and erecting bird boxes.
Hinning House has developed a strong link with a local hill farm in the Duddon valley. Many groups of students include a visit during their programme.
Students are involved in helping to compost and recycle materials. Through discussion and displays they are encouraged to save on the use of water and energy.
Each Centre has developed a project using renewable energy. At Hinning House a solar panel is used to heat the water and at Low Bank a hybrid wind and solar generator has been installed at the Boathouse to provide electricity.
There is a healthy eating policy. Meals are prepared with a good selection of fresh produce, locally-sourced when possible. Menus include plenty of fruit and vegetables.
The Centres use Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate and many of the Tuck-Shop items are fair-traded. A display gives information for students and visiting staff. The Centres have joined the Coniston Community Fair Trade purchasing group.
We have made a significant contribution in terms of ideas and presentations to Cumbria Development Education Centre’s “Going Global in the Outdoors” project.
The Centres have been involved in environmental education training for teachers, youth leaders and countryside staff and have worked with many partners including the Countryside Agency, the National Trust, the Lake District National Park Authority, Cumbria County Council, Cheshire Landscape Trust and the Adventure and Environmental Awareness Group.
Low Bank Ground has organised many International Youth Events on environmental themes supported by EU funding and with strong links with the local community.