Conservation
Protecting Wildlife Workshops
Empowering young people to support the protection of wild animals and their habitats.
The climate crisis is one of the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss and species extinction, yet the connection between the climate crisis and animal welfare is rarely made explicit in education.
In partnership with The Born Free Foundation.
The Issue
People and wildlife are intrinsically linked.
Wildlife is coming under increasing pressure from both environmental and human drivers, including climate change, habitat degradation and destruction, human-wildlife conflict and exploitation.
Through a range of curriculum aligned workshops, designed by Born Free we aim to reach children and young people to instil a love of wildlife, inspire empathy for animals, and encourage action protect wild animals and their habitats around the world.
GenEarth and Born Free have worked in partnership since 2020, Inspiring over 10,000 young people to take positive action to support wild animal welfare and conservation.
We run a variety of workshops for KS2/KS3, designed to help young people understand the relationship between people and wildlife, including the impacts of climate change on species.
About the Programmes
Our KS2 workshops help young people to:
Explore the habitats, adaptations, and threats facing iconic species, from rainforest primates to lions on the savannah.
Develop empathy, while exploring their own voice and point of view, on the threats facing species, through speeches, quizzes, and hands-on activities
Our KS3 workshops help young people to:
Dive deeper into the relationship between climate change and biodiversity loss.
Weigh up real-world dilemmas around how humanity should respond to the climate crisis.
Work collaboratively to develop and defend their own positions on some of the biggest questions facing their generation
Through real world examples and expert insight, young people explore how habitat loss, temperature change and human activity are reshaping the natural world and the lives of the animals within it. They examine questions of animal welfare and rights alongside conservation, leaving with a clearer understanding of what is at stake, and practical steps they can take to support wild animal care and conservation.
How do the programmes work?
Should Animals Have The Same Rights As Humans? (KS2)
This 90-minute workshop shares fascinating facts about wild elephants and encourages pupils to explore how animals feel in zoos.
Working in groups, they debate whether to move an elephant from Africa to a UK zoo, starting discussions around the ethics of holding wild animals in captivity.
The Great Debate (KS3)
This 2.5 to 3 hour workshop provides the opportunity for young people to delve deeper into the issues surrounding climate change and biodiversity. Working in small groups, students decide whether humanity needs to harness the power of nature in order to mitigate against, or adapt to climate change
Precious Primates (KS2)
This 70-minute workshop explores tropical rainforests - their location, makeup, and importance, while introducing pupils to the incredible primates that live there.
Pupils create short speeches on why rainforests matter to them and how we can protect primates.
King of The Jungle (KS2)
This 70-minute workshop explores one of the world’s most iconic big cats, through quizzes and interactive activities. It covers the lion’s savannah habitat, unique adaptations, diet, and a wide range of fascinating facts. Whilst highlighting the many threats lions face in the wild.
The Impact
These workshops provide young people with…
Increased confidence
And motivation to take positive action for nature and the environment in their everyday lives
Improved Understanding
Talk about climate change and justice with clarity, without feeling overwhelmed
Practical Skills
Critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving through engaging, real-world activities
What are teachers saying… ?
"The workshop was informative and thought-provoking. The children were engaged and asked deep questions, giving me hope for a future generation that will make better choices."
- YEAR 6 TEACHER, FRYENT PRIMARY
“GenEarth and Born Free run wonderful, thought-provoking conservation workshops for primary and secondary pupils. I would highly recommend that you connect with them. Your class will love the opportunity to discuss, share and present their own opinions about different environmental dilemmas.”
- YEAR 4 TEACHER, NANCY REUBEN PRIMARY SCHOOL
“The children had a fantastic time with Laura and Loux. Both were very knowledgeable and answered questions with enthusiasm. The children took away a lot and reflected on their actions following the session. They particularly enjoyed putting together their speeches at the end - what fun they had!”
- YEAR 3 TEACHER, WHITEHEATH JUNIOR SCHOOL
We are honoured to be working in partnership with Born Free!
Born Free’s mission is to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect and are able to live their lives according to their needs. Born Free opposes the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaigns to Keep Wildlife in the Wild.
Born Free promotes Compassionate Conservation to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and protect natural habitats while respecting the needs of and safeguarding the welfare of individual animals.
Born Free seeks to have a positive impact on animals in the wild and protect their ecosystems in perpetuity, for their own intrinsic value and for the critical roles they play within the natural world. For more information about Born Free please visit www.bornfree.org.uk
The Impact
The difference we’re making together
We’ve worked with The Born Free Foundation since 2020, and we’re so proud of the change we’ve been able to effect with the wonderful young people we’ve worked with.
10,000 +
Young People engaged since 2020
90%
Of students confirmed they have increased knowledge of conservation
90%
Of students confirmed they now know more about the needs of individual animals
Book a Programme
for your school
GenEarth in your school
Choose a date that suits, and book a programme for your school.
Or be in touch via this short form, and one of our team will get back to you for a chat, and to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to speaking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions?
-
We are able to offer all workshops in person for London and Bristol based schools and virtually for all other schools based in the UK.
-
We are currently able to offer KS3 The Great Debate and KS2 Precious Primates for free, thanks to the funding support of the Born Free Foundation. All other workshops are available for £150 per class, with discounts offered for multi class bookings on the same day.
Please note we ask all privately funded schools to provide payment for all workshops. This enables us to offer more free workshops to state funded schools.
-
Please notify us ASAP to make any changes to your booking. Please note if you cancel a workshop within two working days of the workshop delivery date we will have to apply a charge. Please contact info@genearth.uk for further information.
-
Teachers are required to be present throughout the duration of the workshop to support the students, to ensure all the AV equipment is set up in advance and to print a small amount of worksheets.