Steve Backshall’s Wild Heligan and the call for “greenlightenment”

The gardens are full of star naturalists this summer, but the two men behind the headlines want something that outlasts the school holidays. As Steve Backshall’s Wild Heligan opens to the public at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, naturalist Steve Backshall and Heligan co-founder Sir Tim Smit have asked for nature education to be placed at the heart of the national curriculum.

A “greenlightenment”

Steve and Sir Tim have called for what they describe as a “greenlightenment”, an acknowledgement that understanding natural history makes sense of every other subject. They argue that the study of nature has formed the foundation for all of humanity’s scientific understanding.

The timing is deliberate. Steve Backshall’s Wild Heligan coincides with a government consultation on the content of the new natural history GCSE, a cause led by Curlew Action director Mary Colwell and supported by both Steve and Sir Tim.

Sir Tim said the moment matters well beyond one qualification. “The launch of the government consultation is a seismic moment for British education and we must recognise that a deep understanding of the natural world is fundamental to humanity’s future,” he said.

“For too long, natural history has been seen by some as a folly, the domain of tweed-jacketed professors hoarding specimens in glass cases, but the reality is that so many of the problems in our education system can be solved by putting natural history at the centre of the curriculum.

“We need young people to realise that natural history is for everyone, not just the privileged few, and that nature surrounds us wherever we live. It is our responsibility to equip the next generation with the tools to protect nature so it doesn’t become history.”

Why Steve wants the GCSE

Steve made the case in terms of wellbeing as much as science. “I see every day how nature revitalises, restores and fills people with joy. We can get so much from the wild world, but now more than ever the wild world needs us,” he said.

“Young people who are engaged with nature will be happier, healthier and more likely to take on our planet’s problems. We need this.”

He pointed to a gap that opens up in the teenage years. Forest and beach schools have taken off at primary level, he said, and universities now run plenty of practical, hands-on courses. It is the stretch in between where the thread gets dropped.

“The explosion of forest and beach schools at primary level has been a revolution, showing us how certain kids perform in a completely different way when learning outside and in contact with nature. And universities are now awash with practical courses that serve those who learn best with mud beneath their fingernails.

“There is however a forgotten segment of education where this is lost completely. Our sincere hope is that this GCSE will fill that gap, and keep young people interested through those vital teen years.”

What’s on at Wild Heligan

Steve Backshall’s Wild Heligan runs at The Lost Gardens of Heligan until September 2. Every Monday to Saturday brings two live shows from star naturalists and science communicators, among them Steve, Maddie Moate, Hannah Stitfall, Riyadh Khalaf and Cam Whitnall.

Across the gardens there are wildlife activities, den building and garden games including swingball and croquet. Every Sunday features a live outdoor musical performance from a rotating line-up of top local acts. The full schedule and tickets are at heligan.com.

The government consultation on the natural history GCSE curriculum runs until September 4, and its findings will be taken into account when the subject content is finalised. Anyone who wants to read the proposals or take part can do so through the Department for Education’s consultation on the proposed GCSE subject content.

📷Sir Tim Smit (left) and Steve Backshall on the Wild Stage at The Lost Gardens of Heligan during the opening week of the Steve Backshall’s Wild Heligan event.