As thousands of people gather in Dubai for the United Nations COP28 summit to shape a global response to climate change, FoodFutures has launched a Where The Wildings Are! Crowdfunder to support schools across Lancaster District to tackle climate change whilst building biodiversity and food security.

Can you support us by donating or spreading the word?

Where the Wildings Are! is part of the FoodFutures network. It works with staff and pupils to redesign school grounds; swapping tarmac and mown grass for trees, sensory wildlife gardens and organic food growing. The project is trying to raise £50k by Christmas to launch a network of food growing and nature-based after school and holiday clubs across the District. This way, the whole community can get involved with the beautiful landscapes being created.

Schools are important hubs in the community, supporting children and their families in ways that go far beyond their traditional role of providing education. The challenges of Covid 19 have only served to emphasise the many additional benefits that schools provide; from the free childcare that enables parents to work, through to the essential ingredients of mental and physical wellbeing – for example social and emotional support for children, a decent hot meal and safe outdoor play space every day. This project uses schools’ role as community hubs to tackle three urgent challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity.

The project aims to;

• Develop a healthy living programme within the schools where the produce grown is used to help feed pupils, staff and their families.
• A curriculum that teaches horticulture, ecology, botany and conservation through a hands-on as well as theoretical approach.
• Create the physical infrastructure and calendar necessary for outdoor learning.
• Provide the physical framework necessary for the head, heart, hands approach to environmental learning which is central to the Eden Project North and Morecambe Bay Curriculum from birth to 24 and also the Permaculture curriculum (Lusi Andersloe Children in Permaculture)
• Enhance opportunities to teach a wide range of subjects – including PSHE, maths and literacy in creative settings.

Follow our journey, share our crowdfunder to support your schools!

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