Connecting climate & nature education in York

Aims and Objectives

We aim to use the YESI Fellows scheme to strengthen the network of people involved in all forms of climate, nature and sustainability education in York.

Understanding the crises we are facing is an important first step towards making meaningful, positive changes. A range of different approaches to climate and nature education are necessary to support a rapid spread of awareness and the conversion of this knowledge into action. The city of York is home to many organisations and individuals working in this area, from academics in universities to small businesses to freelance artists. This provides a strong local foundation for sharing our expertise, learning from one another and working together.

Our primary objectives are:

To identify the people and organisations in York providing and researching climate/nature education
To create a directory and network of climate & nature educators working with a range of audiences and using methods across the arts and sciences.
To start to use this network to share examples of good practices, provide training to one another and foster new collaborations

The desired outcomes of this work would primarily be to better connect the community of climate and nature educators in York, to facilitate knowledge exchange between us, and to establish a network that can be sustained beyond the project period. By sharing our knowledge, practices and resources we aim to boost the quality of what we produce, reduce duplication of work and ultimately engage more effectively with audiences grappling with multiple facets of climate and ecological science and its implications.

The York Climate Connect network was made possible by the YESI Knowledge Exchange Fellows scheme. It was a great way to work with inspiring climate and nature educators and communicators in York, to make new and meaningful connections with others, and to hear about the amazing work going on across the city! I feel re-energised as a result of the fellowship. Thank you!

- Dr Lynda Dunlop

Project Outputs

The project was the catalyst for the creation of YorkCliConnect - a city-wide network that aims to support and strengthen the local community that understands, communicates and takes action on the Climate and Nature Emergencies we are all facing. By connecting people, projects and organisations in York we facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources, reduce duplication of effort, support and encourage one another, and ultimately help empower necessary change.

Principal and Co-Investigators

Principal Investigator

Dr Abi Perrin (Biology)

Co-Investigator

Dr Lynda Dunlop (Education)