About the Experimental School of Urban Ecologies

Bethnal Green Nature Reserve is launching a new learning space, the Experimental School of Urban Ecologies.

We call it experimental because the environmental challenges we face today demand new ways of learning, collaborating, and sharing knowledge. The courses we offer grow directly from the land itself — shaped by the ecology, history, and community of the Reserve.

Our aim is to help people develop a meaningful relationship with the local environment while building the skills and understanding needed to care for it. Through this work, we hope to support and empower both the people and the wildlife that make up our shared urban ecosystem.

The Experimental School offers a holistic and integrated approach to learning, combining practical ecological skills with environmental awareness, storytelling, and cultural knowledge.

In 2026 the school will launch three courses:

• Experimental School of Urban Ecology: Foraging and Land Stewardship (now open)
• Experimental School of Urban Ecology: Climate & Adaptation (coming soon)
• Experimental School of Urban Ecology: Nature Connection & Wellbeing for Children (coming soon)

Together, these courses explore different ways of understanding, caring for, and connecting with urban nature — inviting participants to learn directly from the landscapes around them.