Two children wearing bright clothes are investigating a log in a woodland. The child on the rightis using a small brush and is holding a collection pot, while the child on the left is watching intently.

E.ON and Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust help more than 1,700 local children connect with nature


E.ON is helping to foster a deeper connection to nature for children in Sheffield and Rotherham through an impactful collaboration with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust


As part of E.ON’s ongoing commitment to the communities around its Blackburn Meadows biomass plant in Sheffield, it is working with the Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust to enable local children to connect with nature.

Since April 2024, the partnership has benefited 1,721 children from the area. E.ON’s support has helped children participate in a range of outdoor learning experiences, igniting their curiosity about nature and encouraging a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.

Thanks to E.ON’s support and funding, outdoor school trips, afterschool clubs, and holiday programmes have been subsidised, offering children access to nature that many would not otherwise have had. Whether it’s through engaging curriculum-linked sessions, ‘wild play’ activities, or even afterschool nature clubs, E.ON’s partnership has played a vital role in opening doors to new experiences for children, many of whom are enjoying nature for the first time.

Jess Dhariwal, Plant Manager at E.ON’s Blackburn Meadows biomass energy plant, said: “We’re so proud to have helped support these educational and fun trips for local schoolchildren, ensuring children from across Sheffield and Rotherham can access these nature-based learning opportunities. We believe every child deserves to experience the outdoors, and we’re committed to helping make that happen as part of our wider commitment to the local community.”

Corrie Porter-Young, Education Officer (Young People) at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, added: “We are seeing first-hand how important it is for children to connect with nature. The feedback from teachers, children, and families has been overwhelmingly positive. These experiences are not only enriching children’s knowledge but also fostering a sense of responsibility toward the natural world.”

So far, the partnership has delivered outstanding benefits for local schools and children, with:

  • 100% of schools saying the children learned something new about nature.
  • 100% of teachers reporting the sessions met their learning objectives and saying they would recommend the experience to others.
  • 100% of children saying they felt inspired to take positive action for nature following their outdoor learning experience.

One teacher, who organised a trip as part of the programme, shared: “Our children do not get many life experiences, and it was so lovely to take them somewhere close to school. It gave them confidence and motivation to go back and share their experiences with their families.”

Another primary school teacher added: “It’s amazing to see children so engaged in learning about the world around them. For some of these children, this is their first experience with nature. We hope it instils in them a love for their local area and a desire to protect these beautiful spaces for generations to come.”

Nurturing children through nature

The experiences have gone beyond learning about nature. Children have built dens, developed teamwork skills, and created lasting memories in local green spaces, making connections to their school curriculums, especially in science topics like plants and ecosystems. These sessions are proving to be not just educational, but also beneficial to the mental health and wellbeing of the children involved.

In addition to the outdoor sessions, E.ON’s support has allowed for the creation of nature-friendly school grounds and the training of educators to integrate outdoor learning into everyday practice, extending the reach and impact of these programmes. E.ON hopes to continue expanding its efforts to connect even more children with the environment.

About Blackburn Meadows

E.ON’s Sheffield-based biomass-fuelled combined heat and power plant, Blackburn Meadows, powers up to 69,000 homes and businesses in the South Yorkshire region, and its support for the Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust is part of its dedication to supporting the communities around this site. 

E.ON’s partnership is making a profound difference to the lives of children and families in Sheffield and Rotherham, helping foster not only environmental awareness but also a sense of community and wellbeing. E.ON remains committed to supporting initiatives that give children the chance to connect with nature and grow into environmentally conscious individuals.