Bring sustainability to life - National Education Nature Park
Published 28th July 2026
Turning school grounds into real world design contexts
The National Education Nature Park is giving design and technology teachers a new way to embed sustainability into learning by transforming school grounds into meaningful design contexts. The free programme encourages pupils to investigate, design and improve their local environment while developing practical skills that connect directly to the design process.
Commissioned by the Department for Education and led by the Natural History Museum in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society and other organisations, the initiative supports schools in creating nature rich spaces that benefit both biodiversity and wellbeing. Through a structured five step cycle, pupils can research, develop, test and evaluate ideas using their own school site as a living classroom.
Removing barriers to creative design
Supporting design and technology learning
Rather than working with hypothetical clients, students investigate the needs of real stakeholders, including people, plants and wildlife. Free digital tools, including habitat mapping and survey resources, help pupils gather primary research, identify opportunities for improvement and evaluate the impact of their designs over time.
The programme offers valuable opportunities to support key design and technology principles, including identifying users' needs, selecting sustainable materials, applying technical knowledge and refining ideas through testing and iteration. Suggested projects range from creating wildlife habitats, such as ponds, living walls and insect hotels, to improving underused outdoor spaces.
The Nature Park also provides rich inspiration for textiles. Activities exploring natural materials, textures, colours and plant properties encourage pupils to investigate sustainable materials, biomimicry and nature inspired design while strengthening their practical making skills.
As the programme continues to develop resources alongside the design and technology community, it offers growing opportunities for teachers to bring environmental design and sustainability into the classroom through authentic, hands-on experiences.
Teachers can also access the PDF version of the full article, including practical examples and further guidance, featured in Practice 2.2026 below.
