SHAPING A BETTER FUTURE WITH THE YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

10.09.2026

HNC’s A Level Environmental Science students recently met with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, exploring how intensively farmed land in West Yorkshire is being recovered as part of a programme headed by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin.

Environmental Science is a subject that explores a wide variety of topics linked to climate change, conservation, renewable energy agriculture, and sustainability – making it an ever more popular choice for students hoping to make a difference for future generations. Students on the course also take part in a number of days of fieldwork, with an additional opportunity to join the College’s annual trip to Sicily.

A recent trip saw our A Level Environmental Scientists visit Stirley Nature Reserve in Hall Bower, Huddersfield. Covering 240 acres, this once previously intensely farmed piece of agriculture land is now managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, who since 2011, have supported the land to recover using sustainable grazing and growing methods. As well as providing local young people with an educational space, the reserve is also home to a herd of native cattle and sheep. On the day, the group enjoyed a tour of the reserve, observing the key species that have been introduced to enhance biodiversity such as honey bees, and how crops are being grown sustainably – including how the wool from the reserve’s sheep herd is being used as mulch. The group also took part in some hands-on work in the ‘Star’ garden, cutting back willow trees to promote growth. Students then met with the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, to share their own ideas about how we can work together to promote nature recovery across the region.

The afternoon saw the group move onto Magdale, a riverside community green space located in the village of Honley, to assess river water quality. Using kick sampling, the group identified the invertebrates found, using this to determine the river’s water quality, finding plenty of freshwater shrimp, stone flies and caddisflies. As well as measuring water quality, students also learnt more about the industry standards used within the Environmental Sector, including how to prevent spreading disease and pollution between rivers.

Ellie Freeman, Teacher of Environmental Science shares more “A Level Environmental Science is an increasingly relevant and popular subject – and a subject that students can use to make a genuine difference in the world. Students taking Environmental Science not only develop their knowledge and scientific skills in the classroom, they also gain genuine fieldwork experience throughout the year – including the opportunity to join our annual trip to Sicily. It is this element of the course the provides key insights into what a career in the sector could look like, with many of our students progressing to university to study topics such as Wildlife Conservation, Geology, Geography and of course, Environmental Science. Thank you to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust for welcoming us to the Stirley Nature Reserve for such an enlightening experience!”

A gallery of images from the day can be seen below.

You can find out more about taking A Level Environmental Science at HNC at our upcoming Open Events on Saturday 10 October and Wednesday 1 November.