Dr Neil Hudson, who is also the MP for Epping Forest, toured the Epping Forest Field Centre at High Beach, where he met staff, discussed their work and explored the indoor and outdoor facilities.
Part of the Field Studies Council, the centre is funded through school visits and grant support, and works in partnership with the City of London Corporation. It also receives additional backing from the Epping Forest Heritage Fund.
During the visit, Dr Hudson toured classrooms, office space, staff facilities and a recently installed boot-wash area, which promotes biosecurity and supports outdoor learning. He also visited the centre’s two ponds, outdoor classrooms, and a weather station that provides live data to the Met Office.
Dr Hudson said: “It was a real pleasure to visit the Epping Forest Field Centre and to see Jo Vere and her dedicated team. Their work plays a vital role in helping folk of all ages engage with nature, science and the natural environment in a hands-on way.
“The Centre is a real asset for Epping Forest, and I am really keen that more local schools and community groups benefit from the fantastic opportunities it offers.”
The centre primarily hosts secondary school groups studying GCSE geography and A-level biology. However, centre manager Jo Vere, who has led the site for more than two years, hopes to expand its reach to primary schools, older residents and SEND groups.
Ms Vere said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Neil Hudson MP to Epping Forest Field Centre and to share the important work we do to inspire people of all ages to connect with nature and learn about the environment at Field Studies Council.
“The visit provided an excellent opportunity to highlight the role of environmental education in developing a greater understanding of biodiversity, and the challenges facing our natural world, as well as the physical and well-being benefits of outdoor learning. I would like to thank Neil for taking the time to visit the field centre and for the genuine interest and knowledge he brought to the discussions.”
