Overview
Young people invited to explore how Buxton’s industrial past can help shape a greener future
Generation Hope Buxton: From Fire and Stone to Woodland and Wildlife has been selected as one of the Interconnected Generation Hope partners for 2026/27, part of the Natural History Museum’s Fixing Our Broken Planet programme. The project brings together young people aged 13–25 to investigate the changing landscape of Grin Low, one of Buxton’s most significant natural and historic sites.
Today, Grin Low is a much-loved woodland and wildlife landscape, but its appearance hides a highly industrial past. For more than 300 years, limestone was quarried on the hill and burnt in lime kilns, transforming the landscape and supporting local communities. The remains of this industry can still be seen among the woodland today.
The project will encourage participants to ask questions about how landscapes change, how nature can recover following human activity, and what the history of Grin Low can teach us about responding to today's climate and biodiversity challenges.
Participants will take part in biodiversity surveys, citizen science, heritage research, and digital storytelling through a series of Free workshops, culminating in a public exhibition in Spring 2027.
As part of the Generation Hope Buxton project, participants can take part in 3 free workshops which will explore the themes of climate, heritage and imagined futures. Content explored in each of the sessions will then be brought together to form our co-curated community exhibition, Roots of Recovery, too be launched in Spring 2027.
These workshops are for participants aged 13-25, which is the target audience for our funders, the Natural History Museum. Please note that under 16's will require an adult to attend with them for all workshops (they do not require a ticket).
To get the most out of the project, participants are invited to join all 3 workshops, however if you are unavailable for a session that is not a problem.
15th November: What our heritage can tell us about climate impact, 10am-2pm
Morning: Introduction to climate change and Generation Hope
Explore what climate change is, what people are doing and saying about it. Reflect on changes from your own experiences, consider how those changes felt and whether everyone responded to them in the same way.
Afternoon: What our Heritage can tell us about Climate Impact
Using objects from our collection and archives, we will explore the heritage of Grin Low, from warm seas 330 million years ago to the introduction of lime burning and the replanting of woodland, examining how industrial change impacted the landscape around it.
6th December: The Woodlands and Caves - Our Climate Narrative, 10am-2pm
Morning: How our history has impacted how the woodlands and caves have formed
Explore how biodiversity and green spaces have shifted over time, and what these changes can tell us about current and future climate.
Afternoon: Object Climate Narratives
Using objects from the natural environment and the museum collection, participants are invited to create a narrative that explores each object’s history, origins, use and future life, and how this connection develops into a climate story, allowing space for individual creativity.
10th January: Imagining Futures - Lessons from our Past, 10am-2pm
Morning: How our work today impacts our climate future
Explore how we manage our woodlands today and the scientific research carried out in the cavern which impacts how we care for our site, wider environment and community.
Afternoon: How can we imagine our future communities
What if human had never lived on earth? What lessons can we learn from the past in order to protect our future? We bring together the changes and challenges explored over the previous sessions to creatively imagine how we tackle climate change.
All sessions will be held onsite at Poole's Cavern Visitor Centre, with a mixture of outdoor and indoor learning, so please dress appropriately. All resources will be provided. Refreshments will be available. Please bring your own lunch.
Can't make the sessions but want to be involved? Contact rachael.cooksey@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk for more information.
To get the most out of the project, please sign up to all sessions, but this is not essential. Please note that under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult to any project activities (only participant requires a ticket).
Whether you are interested as an individual, school or established group, get in touch to see how you can be involved! Rachael Cooksey at rachael.cooksey@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk.
Generation Hope Buxton is part of Fixing Our Broken Planet at the Natural History Museum, London. A wide variety of trusts, foundations, organisations, companies and individuals are supporting the Fixing Our Broken Planet gallery and programme. We thank all funders with particular thanks to our Lead Funders, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation, Wellcome and The Claude and Sofia Marion Foundation, as well as our Supporting Corporate Partner, GSK.
Natural History Museum: Natural History Museum