Students pledge to become nature’s “superheroes” at four-day Earth Summit hosted by the National Trust

Over 400 students from Swindon and the surrounding area have pledged to become nature’s “superheroes” at a four-day climate summit hosted by the National Trust.

The Earth Summit, which takes place at the Buscot and Coleshill estate every year, brings local schools together to learn about climate action and the small, everyday things they can do to help keep the planet cleaner. 

The event is part of the charity’s wider aims to restore nature and champion environmentally friendly farming on the estate, which includes improving the health of the rivers and wetlands and establishing a variety of wildlife habitats to support native insects, plants and animals. 

415 students from 12 Swindon-based primary schools participated in this year’s summit, which took place between 18 and 21 May, and saw staff and volunteers from the National Trust running workshops on everything from energy use and fast fashion to sustainable energy and healthy rivers and wildlife.  

The event was supported by partner organisations including the Royal Horticultural Society, Environment Agency and WeSET, with the aim of empowering children to think about nature – both now and in the future. 

As part of the event, students planted 160 seeds, created 160 fast fashion bracelets and made 160 beeswax wraps before making a ‘promise’ to nature, listing the three actions or habits they were going to do to help the environment. These included switching off lights, growing their own food and turning the tap off when brushing their teeth. 

Katy Lamb, Community Engagement Co-ordinator for the National Trust, said: “This year’s Earth Summit was a huge success and the start of some really brilliant conversations with young people about climate and nature. 

“12 schools in the Swindon borough brought over 400 students to spend four days with us, for free, at the Buscot and Coleshill Estate, where we champion nature restoration and environmentally-friendly farming. 

“Now, more than ever, we want to encourage children and young people to become superheroes for nature and think about their impact on the environment - whether that’s in the small everyday actions they can do right now, or in thinking longer-term about their careers.  

“Through events like this, we hope to inspire and empower them to be the future voices for nature.”