Who we are

What is the Blackbird Environmental Fund?

The Blackbird Environmental Fund is a private independent organisation that is looking to award schools in and around Southampton with environmental grants that will inspire, motivate and develop a wonder in nature for all children of all ages.

The Blackbird team has a wealth of both leadership and hands on experience in planning and running environmental work and projects in schools. The lead roles are held by Steve Bowles and Rick Page.

Steve Bowles is an Environmental Sciences graduate who worked for several years on conservation projects in the Amazon before going in to film-making (BBC, Channel 4 and Discovery) and environmental education. He is Forest School trained, worked at Wordsworth Primary for six years and currently works as an Outdoor Learning Teacher at Foundry Lane Primary School in Southampton and for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

Rick Page was Headteacher at Wordsworth Primary School in Southampton from 2014 to 2020, having previously held leadership posts at Shirley Infants and Harefield Primary. He has worked closely with Southampton University on teacher training and on a pan-European Erasmus research project into Inclusive Education.

Steve and Rick initiated the Southampton Schools environmental network in 2019 in collaboration with Southampton City Council and the University of Southampton.

The award-winning Nature Zone outdoor learning programme at Wordsworth Primary School ran for six years. See: https://vimeo.com/244715708

Blackbird has access to private funds and a legacy account and may develop into a Charity or Trust in due course. Grants of around £500 but up to £1000 are available depending on the scope of the project.

The Fund was launched with the collaboration of the University of Southampton School of Education and the Schools Environmental Education Network (SEEN) and applications are now open.