Welcome to our annual Learning About Forests (LEAF) programme. An award that advocates outdoor learning and hands-on experiences, which result in young people getting more involved in, and a better understanding of, the natural world.
Now in it’s 21st year the LEAF programme operates in 26 countries and engages with nearly 1,000,000 young people from around the world to help raise awareness of our forest ecosystems. From ancient woodlands to local parks, from school grounds to backyards, from trees to lichen the LEAF programme enables all who take part to reconnect with nature in their local community.
The free LEAF programme and LEAF Award are open each academic year to:
Pre-schools, schools and colleges.
Youth Groups – such as Scouts and Youth Climate Networks.
Registered home-schoolers.
Existing Eco-Schools can work through the LEAF programme to apply for the LEAF Award as a stand alone accreditation, and can also use their LEAF programme actions as topic evidence when applying for their Eco-Schools Green Flag. Double, global, international environmental award bonus!!!
To date through the LEAF programme over 84,000 trees have been planted!
Register for the LEAF Programme
Unfortunately registration for the LEAF programme 2021 has now closed, however click the link below to register and achieve a LEAF award in 2022!
Please note: Even registered Eco-Schools will need to complete the simple LEAF registration form to join, as LEAF is a separate education programme and award managed by the education team at Keep Britain Tidy.
The person registering a school, youth group or home-schooled family for the LEAF programme must be over 18 years of age and be in a role or position that enables them to help young people work through the ‘Forest Cycle’ to achieve their LEAF Award.
We suggest this person is: employed by a nursery, school or college, a youth group lead such as a Scout Leader or the parent/guardian responsible for home-schooling.
LEAF Programme Guide
The LEAF programme requires a youth-led, Forest Eco-Committee to work through the Forest Cycle to raise awareness of one of the LEAF Themes that are set globally, by the FAO, on 21st March for International Day of Forests.
Our friends at Frugi and supporters of the LEAF programme have also helped us to create a short handout for families with younger children to help give them a little sample of what the LEAF programme entails. Take part in our ‘Tree’mendous Tasks to be in with a chance of winning some Frugi and Eco-Schools goodies this Spring!
LEAF Award
Application window now OPEN! Click to find out more or click the button below to apply!
Upload a copy of your LEAF Award application booklet.
You can complete the award application digitally, using a Word version of the LEAF Application which can be downloaded here. Or you can complete a handwritten version with your LEAF participants, which can be found towards the end of the LEAF Programme Guide.
The Eco-Schools England team will be assessing all LEAF Award application booklets throughout June, July and August.
Global Case Studies
This publication contains 22 example activities that have been implemented all over the world through the Learning about Forest programme. Through sharing these stories, we aim to promote outdoor education and inspire teachers to use nature as a classroom.
