CORVS update - June 2025

CORVS 3- ‘NATURE NEEDS NURTURE’: RIBBLE VALLEY SCHOOLS HOLD THIRD ANNUAL ‘COP-STYLE’ CLIMATE CRISIS CONFERENCE

Ribble Valley's commitment to tackling climate change took centre stage as dozens of young people from across Lancashire attended the third student climate conference on Friday 20 June. Held at Oakhill School, the event was a powerful reminder that when it comes to tackling the climate and nature crises our young people know that ‘Nature Needs Nurturing’.  

The conference – known as ‘CORVS 3’ which stands for ‘Council of Ribble Valley Schools’ – kicked off with an inspiring opening address from Ribble Rivers Trust’s CEO, Jack Spees. 

He explained how restoring peatlands and tree planting schemes not only support nature but also help tackle flooding in our Ribble Valley villages when extreme weather events, aggravated by climate change, cause distress and damage. 

Students engaged in hands-on workshops, including water sampling in the stream running through Oakhill’s grounds and contrasting water absorption rates in mown and non-mown grassed areas. The students were very keen to learn from local farmers about how they managed their land to both support biodiversity and produce the highest quality food. Slaidburn’s Croasdale House farmers, Malcolm and Claire, led workshops analysing soil from meadowland, pasture and fellside where their prizewinning herd grazes. 

The expert panellists, including Ribble Valley’s Mayor, Simon O’Rourke, and Cllrs David Birtwhistle, Gaye McCrum and Malcolm Peplow, joined Sophie Jackson from the Environment Agency and Fiona Campbell, Global Operations Sustainability Director at Johnson Matthey, to field a variety of insightful questions from students. 

Staff and students left the conference uplifted and motivated. One observer noted: 

“It was an inspiring day highlighting the importance of young people understanding and caring for their environment. The students learnt so much from the farmers and conservationists and they had the chance to talk freely to local councillors about what needs to happen next.” 

Next year’s conference promises to be even bigger, with schools from outside the area expressing interest in joining. 

Alison Cross, one of the organisers of CORVS 3, said: 

"While the COP conference unites world leaders, it's crucial to drive change locally too. This student conference hopes to inspire a wave of other local initiatives. The students themselves chose the topics and they are determined to promote the fact that we can all make a difference.”