The company’s UK network of environmental education centres benefits some 70,000 visitors every year.

Comprising six sites, all of which are located next to substations, the network is a first-class example of how National Grid is helping safeguard the environment for future generations.

It’s been an evolutionary process. The first site (in Kent) opened in 1973 and, since then, the network has developed in partnership with local authorities and environmental charities, such as The Wildlife Trust. Along the way, they have carved out a reputation as centres of excellence for environmental education.

“The centres’ main focus is on providing outdoor education for local schoolchildren and offering imaginative activities designed to support the UK National Curriculum,” says Jonathan Richardson, Social and Community Programmes Adviser. “A number of them also deliver programmes that address waste minimisation and energy efficiency issues.”

For instance, last summer the Skelton Grange Centre in Leeds hosted a celebration of volunteering to coincide with World Environment Day. The event recognised the significant amount of environmental volunteering that takes place across the network.

The centres help to meet National Grid’s commitment to operating as a socially and environmentally responsible business, through mitigating the impact of substations on rural environments.

“They also help by improving the environmental status and biodiversity of the land on which the company operates, and by providing work for 80 staff and 150 volunteers,” adds Jonathan.

More information can be found at: http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Community/eec