London Luton Airport launches environment education programme

LLA launches environment education programme. CREDIT: London Luton Airport.

London Luton Airport (LLA) is joining forces with charity, The Forest of Marston Vale Trust, to launch a new environmental education programme aimed at local schools and community groups.

What is the environmental education programme?

The programme will provide young people with opportunities to visit the community forest in Bedfordshire and take part in interactive environment themed workshops and activities such as tree planting. 

David Vazquez, Head of Sustainability at London Luton Airport, commented: “We are delighted to partner with The Forest of Marston Vale Trust for this exciting initiative that provides increased education opportunities to young people in our local community. This initiative provides schools, charities and community groups in and around Luton with an opportunity to access nature and learn about the environment and biodiversity and is the first of two skills and education programmes that London Luton Airport will roll-out this year. These programmes have been designed to equip local students with skills, opportunities and career insight over the course of their school journey and underline LLA’s commitment to ensure local young people are inspired to make a positive environmental impact.”

Which school will be involved?

Tennyson Road Primary School in Luton is the first school to participate in the programme. Staff and 120 children from the school visited the Forest of Marston Vale in February, planting over 800 trees, alongside LLA volunteers. 

Carla Gotch, Head of Tennyson Road School, commented: “One of the best ways for children to learn is by doing and our visit to the Forest of Marston Vale has provided our pupils with a fantastic first-hand opportunity to develop their understanding of biodiversity, the importance of nature and how all livings things are connected. It’s so important that young people receive this kind of environmental education, and we are absolutely delighted to be partnering again with London Luton Airport’s sustainability team for this hugely beneficial education programme. Our children have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the education programme with London Luton Airport, the project has really made them feel like they are contributing to their local environment in a long-lasting way.”

Jo Roberts, Community Engagement Officer at The Forest of Marston Vale, added: “It was a pleasure to host the children of Tennyson Road School as part of this fantastic educational initiative from London Luton Airport. It’s vital that children understand the importance of woodlands for people and for wildlife and there is no better way to learn than through direct contact with nature. We look forward to working with the airport to highlight the ways in which the local community can support the great work that is being done at The Forest of Marston Vale and to hosting more schools from the local area.

The environmental education programme is initially available to beneficiaries of LLA’s Greener Future Fund. Launched in 2023, the Greener Future Fund provides grants to support biodiversity, carbon reduction and environmental education projects run by organisations, charities and schools within a five-mile radius of the airport. 

The programme has so far awarded grants totalling over £100,000, benefitting over 13,000 local people, including the staff and children of Tennyson Road Primary School, who were awarded £10,000 to create a green learning space within the school grounds.