Inspiring the next generation though biodiversity at Gatwick

Barry Wildish (he/him)

Gatwick Greenspace Partnership Officer

On the 10 July, the Gatwick Greenspace Partnership joined colleagues from London Gatwick's Biodiversity Team to support a fantastic biodiversity work experience day for students taking part in Gatwick's work experience programme.

The aim of the day was simple: to get young people out of the classroom, into nature, and give them a real insight into the wide range of careers involved in protecting and enhancing the environment.

The students visited the beautiful biodiversity areas at Upper Picketts Wood and Land East, where they met members of the Gatwick Greenspace Partnership and Gatwick's Ecology Team. Throughout the morning, they learned about our roles, how we got into careers in conservation and ecology, and the importance of managing habitats for wildlife alongside a busy international airport.

The group took part in a variety of practical activities designed to bring biodiversity to life. Students joined guided walks around the reserve, searching for and identifying invertebrates and learning about the different habitats found across the site. They also got hands-on creating wildflower seed bombs, discovering how simple actions can help support pollinators and increase biodiversity in their own communities.

One of the highlights of the day was a series of team-building and communication activities in the woodland. According to feedback from Amy Geoghegan, these activities were a huge success, with students fully engaged, working together and developing valuable skills while having plenty of fun.

The day was a powerful reminder of the benefits of outdoor learning. There is something special about experiencing nature first-hand rather than simply reading about it. By exploring different habitats, searching for wildlife and learning directly from conservation professionals, students gained a deeper understanding of biodiversity and the important role it plays in our everyday lives.

For many of the young people, it was also an opportunity to discover careers they may never have considered before. Conservation, ecology, environmental management and community engagement all play an important part in helping Gatwick achieve its environmental ambitions while protecting valuable habitats for wildlife.

A huge thank you goes to everyone who helped make the day possible, including colleagues from the Gatwick Biodiversity Team, the Gatwick Greenspace Partnership team, and all those involved in organising the work experience programme. Most importantly, thank you to the students whose enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to get stuck in made the day such a success.

We hope the experience has inspired the next generation of environmental professionals and helped create a lasting connection with the natural world.