Nature Now! Sustainable Schools Programme
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The “Nature Now! Sustainable Schools Programme” is helping three schools in KwaZulu-Natal, with a learner base from underprivileged and often challenging backgrounds, bring biodiversity back to campus grounds. This project is creating Indigenous, water-wise “Nature Restoration Gardens” that restore ecosystems and become living classrooms. This project is tackling local climate challenges by showing learners how vital healthy ecosystems are for life and climate action. By prioritizing Indigenous species, the initiative supports ecological integrity and long- term sustainability.
Over the course of a year, they’ll work closely with primary school learners, guiding them through four engaging lessons that connect directly to their gardens and spark a love for nature. These gardens will support the schools’ curriculum, inspire lasting appreciation for the environment, and help them reach their Sustainable Schools Status (an accreditation for recognizing schools that embed environmental sustainability into their operations, curriculum, and community engagement) by 2026.
Simultaneously, the project activates community engagement through experiential learning. This hands-on approach not only meets curriculum outcomes but also cultivates stewardship and a sense of agency among young learners.The Sustainable Schools Programme’s broader objective, to empower schools to address climate-related challenges through biodiversity restoration—ensures that the project is embedded within a systemic, place-based framework. As learners engage in meaningful action, they become catalysts for wider community awareness and participation. In essence, the project intertwines ecological regeneration with educational empowerment.
With the support of a Purpose Earth grant, this project is able to support schools to become more sustainable through teaching, learning and developing sustainable and achievable environmental adaptation projects.
The grant specifically supports:
- Purchase of Indigenous plants selection, delivery and planting of gardens for three schools
- Lesson development and delivery to three schools
- Garden planning and eco-systems development
- Purchase of materials such as printing of plant guides, resources to enable lessons, durable plant name labels for in the garden
“Receiving the Purpose Earth grant means we can bring our vision to life—creating Indigenous, waterwise biodiversity gardens in schools while inspiring children to love and protect nature. This support strengthens our mission to connect learning with action, empowering schools to tackle climate challenges and build a more sustainable future.” - Bridget Ringdahl, Project Lead
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