Resource Futures to provide environmental education in Brighton and Hove

Independent environmental consultancy Resource Futures has secured a contract to continue delivering the Brighton & Hove environmental education (BHee) initiative.

Since initially winning the Brighton & Hove Council contract in 2011, the BHee initiative – run in partnership with Sussex Wildlife Trust – provides school children and young people in the area with lessons on sustainability and environmental protection, including biodiversity, energy and waste.

Under the new contract, Resource Futures and Sussex Wildlife Trust will continue to provide:

• Eco-Schools support, including an Eco-Committees conference and Eco-Mystery Tour;
• an emphasis on reaching under-represented groups;
• a focus on developing One Planet Living in Brighton & Hove schools;
• plans for engaging senior staff in environmental education;
• a programme of outdoor learning in school grounds, local green spaces and the South Downs National Park, linking with the Biosphere and Marine Conservation Zones;
• a programme of in-school workshops and assemblies;teacher training, resources and individual school support; and
• a range of ICT resources including professional and engaging web pages.

It is hoped that the programme will ‘equip the next generation with the knowledge to understand the importance of our environment and the expertise to respect its resources’.

Speaking of the contract, Resource Futures’s Education Manager, Sheila Gundry, said: “Having worked with schools in Brighton & Hove for three years, Resource Futures and Sussex Wildlife Trust have an in-depth knowledge of their needs, progress in environmental education and potential for future development.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with the council to deliver engaging environmental education, using our tried-and-tested approaches, programmes and activities, which have been modified to meet the needs of BHCC and which we can use as a springboard to develop new and exciting ideas for Brighton and Hove’s schools.”

Resource Futures’ BHee Education Officer is Helen Peake, who has 12 years of experience in environmental education and expertise in waste minimisation.

Sussex Wildlife Trust’s BHee Education Officer is Katie Eberstein, who started her career as a teacher and has experience in supporting schools develop their grounds for wildlife protection.

Find out more about the Brighton & Hove environmental education.