Steve Backshall Champions New Nature-Filled GCSE for Kids

Naturalist Steve Backshall and Sir Tim Smit, who co-founded the Lost Gardens of Heligan, are encouraging schools to teach more about nature. They believe that learning about the environment should be a key part of what students study. They call this idea 'greenlightenment,' which means making nature education a main focus in schools. The government is currently thinking about starting a new subject called natural history GCSE, which would let students learn more about the natural world. Sir Tim Smit says this is a very important time for British education. He believes that understanding nature is essential for the future of humanity.

Steve Backshall, who hosted the Wild Heligan experience to get young people excited about wildlife, says that being in nature makes people feel better and happier. He sees every day how nature can help people feel restored and full of joy. However, he also says that nature needs our help now more than ever. He believes that young people who care about nature will be healthier and more likely to help solve problems facing our planet. Sir Tim Smit adds that it is the responsibility of adults to give the next generation the tools they need to protect nature, so it does not disappear. He says that children are still interested in nature, but they do not have as many chances to experience it as before.

A survey by the Lost Gardens of Heligan asked 1,004 groups of parents and children about their experiences with nature. The results showed that 55 percent of children had never climbed a tree, and 61 percent had never collected a conker or camped in a tent. This means that many children are not having ordinary contact with nature. The survey also found that 34 percent of children would definitely choose to study natural history if their school offered it, and another 41 percent said they probably would. The government says that if the natural history GCSE is introduced, it will help students gain important skills for the future. It could also help reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training. Steve Backshall and Sir Tim Smit hope that more children will get the chance to learn about and enjoy nature, which will help them and the planet.