A national award will celebrate the educators inspiring young people and encouraging the UK to go green.

Nominations are open for Chester Zoo’s National Education Awards until May 17, and the zoo’s Conservation Education & Engagement team is urging teachers and educators from across Cheshire and the north to get involved.

The awards, which highlight the education heroes, eco-focused schools and initiatives inspiring young conservationists, are now in their fifth year, and a new category has been added for 2026.

Naiara Dunn, Assistant Team Manager – Schools Engagement at Chester Zoo, said: “We know schools across the UK do amazing conservation work. Some have created wildflower gardens, protected wildlife friendly habitats, transformed their school into rainforests to educate and held family tree-planting days that involved the whole community.

“This often involves teachers doing extra work outside the curriculum. They are motivated to do this because the children they teach are so passionate, and we don’t think this gets the recognition it deserves.”

Entry to the awards is free, and educators, schools, colleges and youth-focused green initiatives across the country are eligible for nomination.  

This year sees the introduction of a new category, the Outstanding Conservation Education Partnership Award, which celebrates organisations that work collaboratively with schools to inspire young people, empower teachers, engage communities, and deliver high quality conservation learning.

Nominators can also put themselves or others forward for the Outstanding Conservation Educator Award for people who bring conservation learning to life in innovative and inspiring ways, nominate an Outstanding Conservation School, or highlight an Outstanding Conservation Initiative.

Sean Dick, Senior Conservation Education Manager for the zoo, said: “We hope that by offering recognition of amazing conservation advocates and the work they do, we can inspire other people to get involved in green education.

“The finalists are invited to an awards ceremony held at the zoo. It’s a lovely evening which highlights the dedication of teachers, educators and the young people whom they encourage, and who encourage them in return. That passion for conservation must be celebrated to ensure the next generation of conservationists feel empowered to make a difference.”

To nominate a school, teaching team, partnership or initiative, visit www.chesterzoo.org/NCEA2026