Generation Restoration Boosting Biodiversity: Best Practices from Schools Around the World
The results from the Foundation for Environmental Education’s (FEE) GAIA 20:30 Biodiversity Best Practice Competition are here! The five winning Best Practices display inspiring initiatives from schools around the world that have engaged students and teachers in actions to protect biodiversity.
Schools, hospitality establishments, beaches and marinas from FEE’s global network were invited to present one project or story connected with FEE’s GAIA 20:30 Biodiversity goals:
Preserving existing and creating new forests or natural areas;
Promoting sustainable management of the coastal zone;
Combatting pollinator and insect loss;
Raising awareness of and supporting actions to remove invasive alien species.
In total, schools from 41 countries submitted their biodiversity projects as part of the GAIA 20:30 Biodiversity Campaign! Keep reading to learn about the five best practices from FEE’s global school network.
The selected stories are coming from The Bahamas, Cyprus, Germany, India and Spain. They showcase impactful initiatives, from the installation of hydroponics garden to the planting of more than 3,000 trees. Students engaged in these projects developed great skills and knowledge on climate action and biodiversity conservation. Their work contributed to boosting biodiversity, raising awareness on ecosystems protection and creating meaningful, long-lasting projects! As shown in the following best practices, taking action for biodiversity is not only essential for sustaining healthy natural areas, but also healthy communities.
Vertical Hydroponics Garden: Increasing the Resiliency of Infrastructure in an Eco-School Environment to Combat the threats of Climate Change
The project aimed to promote food security, healthy lifestyle, modern farming techniques and sustainability under the School Feeding Program 2021 launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources of The Bahamas. The project has promoted hydroponics harvesting skills among the students as well as a mind shift on farming and agriculture.
Lythrodontas Forest, Flora and Fauna (LYF)
The main goal of the project was to acquaint the children with knowledge about the local biodiversity, whilst instil the sense that even small actions from a small school can make a significant difference in the protection of the local biodiversity. The project gathered students with people from various professional sectors and services on a common goal.
A School Garden for Wildlife and Pupils
The school saw an opportunity to make students experience wildlife with hands-on experience. In two years, they managed to create an entire pollinator garden with a pond and plant fruit trees around the school. The activities engaged students and their families, as well as locals, that were eager to take part in this project.
Be Keen to Make the Earth Green
This huge project gathered more than 2500 students around the goal of making the school premises green. Within five years, the school planted 3000 trees and created several gardens that developed the students' skills in gardening and collaborative work. The Green Crusaders, a committee of the school’s staff and students, handled implementing 11 projects in total.
Forest Restoration and Biodiversity in Monte da Fraga
Photo by: ADEGA-GN Hábitat-OMA UDC.
The forest area between the two Campuses was transformed from an abandoned natural space to a place filled with native species. The long-term restoration project increased awareness about biodiversity protection and helped volunteers gain skills in the management of organic waste, reforestation and even water management!
Congratulations to the dedicated students, teachers and schools working to promote biodiversity in their community!
FEE is proud to highlight these inspiring and exemplary stories from our network. By sharing such stories, we hope that it serves to support more schools around the world in engaging in biodiversity protection.