Exeter MP supports biodiversity improvements in schools

Exeter MP, Steve Race, visited Bowhill Primary School on Friday 27th March 2026 to show his support for Little Green Change's Biodiversity in Schools Project, which provides free environmental education and biodiversity improvements to state-funded primary and secondary schools in Devon, Dorset and South-West Somerset, thanks to funding from The Nineveh Charitable Trust, The People's Postcode Lottery, and the Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest fund.

Little Green Change's project supports schools, children and secondary-aged students to learn about, and take, impactful steps that help wildlife and the environment, whilst connecting with nature and learning vital green skills.

Steve joined 7 enthusiastic children and Little Green Change's founder and director, Clare Matheson, to help plant 2 pear trees, 1 plum tree and a cherry tree on the grounds, which adds to the existing apple trees the school already has.

The children learnt about the many benefits the trees will bring to both wildlife and humans, including as a nectar source for important pollinators including bees each Spring; as a habitat and food source for insects and birds; as an air purifier - releasing oxygen into the air as they grow; and of course as a provider of free, organically grown fruit for the children.

Steve said: “I absolutely loved joining pupils at Bowhill to plant 4 new fruit trees on Friday morning. It's so important that children get experience of nature and the outdoors, to understand where our food comes from, and to inspire a love of nature.

"Exeter is one of the UK’s greenest and leafiest cities, with our trees helping to capture carbon, prevent flooding, and support biodiversity. It’s fantastic that Little Green Change are helping children to learn how important trees are – as well as planting a source of delicious fruit for years to come."

To date, Little Green Change, who are a non-profit social enterprise based in Lyme Regis, have worked with over 6,000 children across 65 schools to plant 11,611 trees and Spring flowering bulbs, as well as introducing new and enhanced wildlife habitats, including at other schools in Exeter including St Michael's Primary Academy, Silverton Primary School, Hemyock Primary School, and Montgomery Primary School.

They also work with corporate companies, local authorities, libraries and other non-profit organisations to deliver a wide range of environmental education resources, services and events covering not just biodiversity but also renewable energy, waste and human health topics.

Little Green Change is looking forward to working with Bowhill Primary School again in the Autumn.

Schools can find out more about Little Green Change's environmental education programmes and activities via their website: littlegreenchange.com