Dudley Environment Zone – Cellulose Insulation, Wind Turbine and Solar Photovoltaic Panels

Case study: Dudley Environment Zone Creating an environmental education centre When Roberts Primary School in Dudley was rebuilt in the 1990s, it was decided to include funding for an environmental education centre as part of the plans. Guy de Szathmary, Environmental Education Officer at Dudley Environment Zone, describes the creation of the centre, and its work with young people. Background LOtC Quality Badge holder The Environment Zone (Ezone), is Dudley’s flagship environmental education centre. It was created when Roberts Primary School was rebuilt at the end of the 1990’s as part of the bid to obtain funding for the school rebuild. The Ezone delivers both environmental and nature related activities either on site or at other schools and has contact with over 10,000 people each year. The Ezone works with about 50 local schools each year, from nursery to KS4 pupils. The Ezone delivers Forest School sessions and helps to provide support and advice to other schools. The classroom at Ezone Setting up the site This first phase of the project involved the design and construction of the Environment Zone to use resources effectively through the use of high levels of insulation material made of cellulose, which regulates the temperature and keeps the building warm in the winter and cool in the summer. A nature trail was created to include a pond and several different habitat areas, making use of an old orchard. A sensory garden made up of herbs and different colours was also created just outside the classroom. Access around the site is easy for wheelchairs. This stage was completed and the Environment Zone was formally opened by journalist John Craven and the then Mayor of Dudley, Cllr John Walters, in 2001. The Environment Zone was further developed through the installation of a 6kw wind turbine in August 2006. This stage took approximately two years and involved securing support from the management team at the Environment Zone, consulting with the local community, selecting appropriate contractors, obtaining grant funding and appropriate planning consents. The wind turbine has an instant ‘WOW’ factor and automatically starts a conversation on renewable energy; in fact, school pupils are encouraged to ‘hug’ the wind turbine! The wind turbine An array of 14 solar photovoltaic panels was also installed as a prominent statement of Environment Zone’s commitment to sustainable energy generation in September 2009, again through funding. The solar photovoltaic panels will generate approximately 2,500kWh of electricity each year and save 1.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide, enough to fill four telephone boxes. In addition, the Environment Zone receives payments for every kW of electricity generated by the solar photovoltaic panels, that may be used for further development of the Environment Zone. Recognition As a result of the use of renewable energy technologies the Environment Zone has been nationally recognised at the National Green Apple Awards (twice) for Environmental Best Practice, and by the Dudley Energy Heroes Awards as a leading example of energy saving projects in Dudley Borough. The Ezone also won a Green Apple for environmental education in November 2012. The Ezone has been awarded the LOtC Quality Badge for the last 3 years and is seen as a ‘the first port of call’ by local schools. User Groups As well as local schools (including special schools), local cubs and brownies use the site to help with badge work or to enjoy being outside. There are several public events through the year which encourage families to participate in activities that are aimed at raising awareness and giving people an opportunity to appreciate the natural world. 13 years on…… The key to the Ezone success is flexibility; being able to adapt to the needs of our user groups. Whilst the activities we offer have a basic structure, we are not afraid to adapt them to suit individual needs. We encourage group leaders to take part during their visit, and to provide feedback on their experience and our delivery. We are always looking at how we can improve or add to the Ezone experience. Our activities are done in small groups and we encourage visitors to discover nature and what they can achieve for themselves: self-discovery, waiting for that ‘WOW’ moment, learning to work as a group, to listen to The sensory garden others AND TO HAVE FUN! Further information Contact Guy de Szathmary, Environmental Education Officer on 01884 814170 or [email protected] The Dudley Environment Zone available at: www.ezonemag.net. Environment Zone, Roberts Primary School, Robert Street, Lower Gornal, Dudley, West Midlands, DY3 2AZ The pond .

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