Hackney’s comprehensive environmental education experience for young people

Environmental Education at Leaside

The ecoACTIVE team of expert environmental educators are committed to providing high-quality sessions that are both engaging and informative. The goal is to inspire positive action towards sustainability.

This stunning location along the River Lea is nestled within the Metropolitan Open Land, overlooking the amazing Walthamstow Marshes. We are in close proximity to the Lea Valley Regional Park and the 2012 Olympic Park, all connected by the River Lea and its towpath system.

We invite you to learn more about our programs and sessions available at Leaside. Contact us to find out more.

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Environmental Education and Activity Days at our Leaside setting

Our combined sessions with Leaside have been designed to create a full day of education and fun activities.

Spend the morning with ecoACTIVE for an environmental education session in either our indoor or outdoor classroom then take to the water with Leaside.

For full day combined sessions we have to capacity to host two classes of 30.

ecoACTIVE Sessions

**Learn about environmental issues and sustainability in our indoor or outdoor classroom**
For Primary Schools choose one of three sessions: Wild Cities, Waste Litter and The River Lea or Food Waste and Growing.
For Secondary schools choose either Food and sustainability, Renewable Energy or Waste and the 6 Rs of sustainability.

Leaside Activities

**Take to the water and help clean up the River Lea**
Leaside have developed Primary and Secondary School activities that compliment the ecoACTIVE environmental education sessions. Their programme has been developed to enhance learning in the outdoors. Capitalising on our location which is situated within a unique space along the River Lea.
Activities include River Litter Picks, Kayaking; Canoeing; Stand up Paddleboarding or Off Road Biking

Primary School Sessions at our Leaside setting

Wild Cities

Discover more about the wonderful wildlife that surrounds us in London. Visit Leaside and find out about some of our local species and their habitats, and how we can harmoniously coexist with nature in an urban environment.
Pupils will learn about habitats found in Hackney, and why green, natural spaces are important for animals and people. We will discuss some of the problems occurring, and ways that we can help nature to thrive in our cities. Activities could include playing wildlife bingo, recreating a web of life, and making seed balls.
***For a full day, combine this session with a canoeing or kayaking session on the river. How many different species can you spot during your journey?***

Waste, Litter & The River Lea

Uncover Earth’s raw materials as we investigate where things come from and ways that we can lessen our impact on the environment.
Learn about the waste hierarchy and explore easy ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. Inspire others by creating and showcasing your own homemade creations.
Find out about the impacts of litter on the wildlife living on and near the River Lea and other local green spaces. What could you do to reduce this problem?
***Groups can combine this session with a litter pick on the river, from open canoes, or walking along the towpath.***

Food Waste & Growing

Learn about the journey our food makes when it's wasted, the impact this has on our environment and discover creative ways to reduce waste. Discover the important role worms play in turning food waste into compost and why this is important for plants.
Activities will take place in the outdoor classroom at Leaside, and pupils will get the chance to investigate the composting system, meet our worms, and enjoy a planting task.
***Find out more about the trees and plants growing near Leaside. Combine our workshop with a walk on Walthamstow Marshes or a paddle on the river Lea to explore the area.***

Secondary School Sessions at our Leaside setting

Food and sustainability

This session focuses on the impact of the food we choose and how to make better choices. Find out about our food footprint, different diets, better consumption schemes and how we can re-think the food system.
Learn to value the food we have access to and reduce food waste, reuse and recycle by composting.
Participants will explore the kitchen garden at Leaside and learn about edible plants, soil health how we can grow our own food. They will experience the composting process by investigating our wormeries and compost bins and understand the whole compost cycle from food waste to new plant.

Renewable Energy

Visit to find out more about the energy saving measures Leaside Trust have taken to reduce their carbon footprint.
Learn about the different sources of energy we all use and how they impact the planet. Understand the need to reduce fossil fuel use and transition towards renewable energy. Discuss ways to save energy at home and school with simple behaviour changes.
Activities could include carrying out an energy audit; investigating a solar energy water pump and wind turbine; playing a problems and solutions matching game; or creating an action plan.

Waste and the 6 Rs of sustainability

Learn about the impact of waste and what the ‘6 R’s of Sustainability’ are. What is involved in living a zero-waste lifestyle?
Discover the impacts of pollution and litter on habitats and wildlife of the River Lea and other green spaces in our city.
Follow the journey of a plastic bottle and find out why this material is causing problems in our local environment.
Activities could include investigating different types of plastic; carrying out a waste audit; making an action plan or up-cycling waste to make a new product.

Leaside

Leaside provides you with the opportunity to try a wide range of outdoor sports without having to travel great distances. Their sessions/courses are tailored to suit everybody’s abilities and can be peer led or delivered by a team of experienced professional staff.

The unique partnership with ecoACTIVE is cemented by a shared environmental vision and love for nature.

Leaside is committed to:

Reducing their environmental impact and making their activities more sustainable.
Encouraging participants to be environmentally aware through education. Championing environmental stewardship and individual responsibility.
Supporting and restoring the natural environment.

ecoActive are working with and supporting Leadside to:

Improve the infrastructure at Leaside to be more energy efficient and reduce their overall environmental footprint
Raise awareness in the community on what we can all do to to help our local natural environment and River Lea recover from decades of pollution
Educate users and the community to be aware of and reduce their impact on our local and world environment

Facilities

Leaside have indoor training spaces that can cater groups of up to 120 people.

Their secluded outdoor space is perfect for environmental education and Forest school sessions.

The BBQ and Pizza Oven overlooking the River Lea and Walthamstow Marshes is an added bonus.

Join ecoACTIVE and Leaside for workshop, action day or event!

Combine our secondary sessions with a paddle on the river Lea, or a walk in Walthamstow marshes to make your visit a rewarding and memorable experience for pupils