London Luton Airport and charity launch unique environmental education initiative for local schools

Published on March 15, 2024

London Luton Airport (LLA) is partnering with The Forest of Marston Vale Trust, a charity, to introduce a novel environmental education initiative tailored for nearby schools and community organizations.

This program will offer youngsters the chance to explore the community forest in Bedfordshire and engage in interactive workshops and activities centered around environmental themes, including 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.”

Tennyson Road Primary School, located in Luton, proudly spearheaded the programme by becoming its inaugural participant. In February, the school staff and 120 enthusiastic students embarked on a journey to the Forest of Marston Vale. Together with volunteers from LLA, they planted an impressive 800 trees, contributing to the region’s environmental rejuvenation.

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 initiative is first accessible to recipients of LLA’s Greener Future Fund. Initiated in 2023, this fund offers grants to aid initiatives promoting biodiversity, carbon reduction, and environmental education led by various organizations, charities, and schools located within a five-mile radius of the airport.

To date, the program has allocated grants exceeding £100,000, benefiting more than 13,000 individuals in the local community. Among these beneficiaries are the faculty and students of Tennyson Road Primary School, who received a £10,000 grant to establish a green learning environment on the school premises.