The Eco Code demonstrates the centre’s commitment in taking steps towards environmentally sound actions. Nine key areas were highlighted in the creation of our Eco Code; areas which we felt were most achievable and appropriate to our education centre and reserve.

Click on the links below to read our Eco-Code and action we have taken

Recycling & Composting
Eco-Code
We will recycle, repair, reuse and reduce things wherever possible. For example: Re-use plastic bottles, recycle paper, repair broken toys, reducing the amount of waste you produce.
Action

Waste Free Lunches - All schools are asked to bring a lunch that produces as little waste as possible. For example, by putting sandwiches in a plastic container rather than wrapping them in cling film and by bringing a drink in a reusable plastic bottle rather than a drink carton.

Recycling - all our waste bins now have a recycling bin next to it to encourage everybody to recycle.

Waste reduction - we have saved paper by putting our Booking Information on the website.

Transport
Eco-Code
We will try and encourage more environmentally friendly ways for you to travel when you come and see us! For example: Take the train, bus, walk or cycle.
Action
Schools that walk or take the train are given free use of our minibus to carry their lunch to the Centre and to get picked up from the train station.

Purchasing
Eco-Code
We will buy products and materials that do not harm the environment when they are made or used. For example: recycled paper and Ecover cleaning products.
Action

Recycled paper - we buy Evolve recyled paper for printing and photocopying.

We buy recycled toilet paper and hand towels.

Shop - most of what we sell in the shop is now made from recycled products, for example pencils, pens and rulers from recyled printers and vending cups.

Fair Trade - we buy Fair Trade tea and coffee.

Looking after wildlife
Eco-Code
We will teach visitors, especially children, to limit their impact on the nature reserve and it’s wildlife. For example: walk quietly around the reserve and do not pick flowers.
Action
At the start of every lesson we talk about how to behave on the reserve so that we do not damage or disturb any wildlife.

Environmental Laws
Eco-Code
We will follow environmental laws to stop pollution or disturbance to wildlife. For example: Having the correct animal handling licences and carrying out conservation work at the most suitable time of year for the wildlife.
Action

Great CrestedNewts - we have these in several of our ponds and wanted to make one of the ponds deeper, using a digger. As they are a protected species we waited until winter before digging, as they don't live in the pond then.

Water
Eco-Code
We will teach you to save water and turn off taps. We will make sure we don’t have any leaks! For example: Asking visitors to turn off taps.
Action

Toilets - all toilets now have signs to encourage everybody to turn off taps and not waste water.

Taps - we have fixed taps that have started to leak.

Energy
Eco-Code
We aim to lower energy consumption at the centre, and teach you about how to save energy! For example: Turning off unnecessary lights and heaters and closing doors in the winter.
Action

Signs - we have put up lots of signs asking everybody to keep doors shut in winter and turn off lights when you leave a room.

Windows - we make sure our windows are always clean so they let in as much natural light as possible.

Biodiversity
Eco-Code
We will try and increase the biodiversity of the Broad Oak Nature Reserve and its surroundings. For example: By using bird and bat boxes and controlling unwanted ‘weed’ species e.g. Japanese Knotweed.
Action

Wildlife Garden - we have planted a wildlife garden to increase the number of plants we have on the Reserve and to encourage more birds and butterflies.

Boxes - we have bird boxes, bat boxes and dormice boxes.

Raising Awareness
Eco-Code

We will tell all our visitors and the general public about how we are looking after our environment and hope they do the same at home and school! For example: Notices and reminders around the centre, promote ourselves to local media and provide information on our website
Action
Signs - we have put lots of signs up to ask to everybody to take action for the environment, for example, turning off lights when leaving a room and using paper on both sides before recycling it.

 

Don't forget that your school could become an Eco-School and soon be helping the environment too.