Put nature first for Norfolk children to win £1000

The Bishop of Norwich First Nature Award aims to recognise and celebrate a Norfolk project or organisation which is helping children and young people connect with the natural world. The top prize is £1000.

“The wonders of the natural world are the birthright of every child,” said the Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and the Church of England’s lead bishop on the environment.

“Everyone should have the chance to connect with God’s wonderful creation and I am delighted to support this award for a project helping the youngest citizens of Norfolk connect with some of its oldest treasures – our wildlife, woodland, wetlands, wide open spaces and places for nature to thrive.

“Giving children the chance to experience the joy and solace of creation, ultimately gives them the chance to love it, understand it, care for it and become a voice for it.
“It is very much part of my role to celebrate how we find God in the natural world. In the words of the much-loved psalm, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul.”

The Bishop’s First Nature award is run by a group of organisations which make up the First Nature Campaign, launched in Norfolk in 2022 to give young people access to and understanding of the natural world to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing and resilience and inspire them to care for the environment.
The winning project will help connect children or young people up to the age of 16 with the natural world and the award is open to voluntary, charitable, religious, cultural or community groups, and schools, working in Norfolk.

Nigel Boldero of First Nature said: “This is a great way to acknowledge the wonderful work that an increasing number of schools, community groups and other projects are doing to expand opportunities for children to connect with nature - not just to learn about it, but to appreciate its beauty, be inspired creatively and get a real lift.”

Judges will include representatives of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk Museums Service’s Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, the Broads Authority, the Bishop of Norwich and voluntary and community youth groups. Young people from Norfolk’s Youth Advisory Boards will also be part of the judging process.

The judging panel is particularly keen to hear from organisations where children have been involved in planning and delivering projects. It will also assess the number of people benefitting, potential for expansion, how obstacles to children engaging in nature are overcome and how the health and well-being of young people is helped.
Entries must be in by the end of September, with the winner announced in November.

To enter simply complete the online application form at firstnatureuk.wordpress.com/the-bishop-of-norwich-first-nature-award by midnight on September 30.

Pictured: children learning about nature in the Bishop's garden