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Chester Zoo is giving away 30,000 free tickets to local schools

The scheme is in support of the charity’s continued efforts to prevent extinction.

Emily Sergeant - 4th February 2022

In a bid to inspire a whole new generation of young conservationists, Chester Zoo is giving away a 30,000 free tickets to local schools.

Children and students at nurseries, primary and secondary schools, and even colleges across Greater Manchester and are being invited the UK’s largest charity zoo to explore conservation up close at the 128-acre zoological gardens as part of organised educational visits designed to spark a passion for saving species, Cheshire Live reports.

The scheme is in support of the charity’s continued efforts to prevent extinction.

Conservation education experts from the zoo are said to be especially keen for the tickets to help schools in more disadvantaged local areas.

Looking to highlight the vital role that young people have to play in creating a more sustainable future for people and wildlife, staff at the charity zoo are leading calls for educational reform and are championing a move to see conservation education embedded into the curriculum nationwide after having already seen it work successfully in the North West.

“With so many species threatened with extinction, it’s crucial now, more than ever, that we all play our part in creating a more sustainable future,” explained Charlotte Smith – Director of Conservation Education and Engagement at Chester Zoo.

“Learning about animals with our educational experts in the amazing setting of our zoological gardens can create a lifelong connection to nature, inspiring young people to take action and make a difference to the future of our planet.

“Children have experienced so much disruption during the last couple of years.

“It’s important that they have opportunities to spend time in nature, which has a whole host of mental and physical benefits, [and] with an increase in young people’s awareness and desire to be involved in conservation, zoos and schools play an important role in giving them the skills and knowledge to protect the incredible biodiversity of our planet.”

Read more: Chester Zoo unveils ‘Conservation Masterplan’ to prevent wildlife extinction

The ticket initiative – which has been running since 2017 – is open to all education institutions which haven’t received free tickets to Chester Zoo within the last three years, and visits are available on weekdays between 1 November 2022 and 28 February 2023.

You can apply by downloading and completing an application form here, sending it to [email protected] by 28 February 2022.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo