Norfolk students recognised for helping nature thrive

Young people from across Norfolk have been recognised for their inspiring environmental projects in the inaugural CPRE Norfolk Youth Engagement & Schools Awards.

Created to celebrate schools and colleges helping students connect with nature, the Awards recognise projects that improve biodiversity, encourage outdoor learning and inspire the next generation to care for the countryside.

Showcase Award

This year’s Showcase Award has been presented to Easton College for its impressive Miyawaki Mini Forest project.

Students transformed a 254m² site into a native woodland, taking part in every stage of planning, planting and ongoing management.

Engagement Award

The Engagement Award has been presented to City Academy Norwich, whose Forest School programme has helped students develop confidence, wellbeing and environmental awareness through regular outdoor learning experiences.

Read more about the two winning projects

CPRE Norfolk also presented a Letter of Recognition to White Woman Lane Junior School, recognising its commitment to developing biodiversity projects despite not completing them before this year’s judging deadline.

Lisa Ashbury, CPRE Norfolk trustee, said:
“The enthusiasm shown by every school has been genuinely inspiring.

“These Awards were created to celebrate young people making a positive difference for Norfolk’s countryside, and this year’s projects have done exactly that.

“We hope this is just the beginning and that even more schools will join us next year.”

Winners to visit Mannington Estate

The two winning schools have been awarded a tailored educational visit to Mannington Estate, where students will explore a remarkable range of habitats whilst continuing their environmental learning.

When CPRE Norfolk approached Mannington Estate about supporting the inaugural Awards, the response was immediate and enthusiastic.

Education Coordinator Ollie Legge said:
“I’m happy that we can help out with these awards and it sounds like it’ll be a mutually beneficial relationship going forwards!”

Mannington Estate has generously offered both winning schools a tailored educational visit, giving students the opportunity to explore one of Norfolk’s richest landscapes and continue their environmental learning beyond the classroom.

Future awards

We hope this marks the beginning of a long-term partnership that inspires even more young people to connect with Norfolk’s countryside. The Awards will become an annual celebration of environmental education across the county.