1.  We welcome the opportunity to submit our views to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee.

  2.  Nature's world is an independent company established in 1989 and also an educational charity which aims to inform and inspire young people and the public about the science of sustainable living and the environment.

  3.  The centre has transformed an almost derelict 25-acre site on the south edge of Middlesbrough into an award winning and pioneering environmental centre. Our eco-centre showcases the use of geothermal energy, solar energy and wind energy as a model for the future!

  4.  As the centre has developed the significance of sustainable development and the challenges of climate change have become big issues. We feel we now have an important role in public engagement and in helping to inspire young people to understand and appreciate the benefits of technology and the opportunities which science offers. Our approach seeks to engage people in hands on activities which are both memorable and fun!

  5.  We have been successful in securing capital funding for new developments from the Lottery; from ERDF from Landfill Tax grants and from the private sector. However, our biggest challenge is to generate sufficient revenue, year in and year out, to cover the ongoing staff costs, running costs and business overheads.

  6.  We levy admission charges to schools and to the public to try to cover our core costs. However, we are competing with museums and public sector "visitor attractions" and non-scientific establishments which are all free admission!

  7.  The long-term survival of independent Science and Discovery Centres is we feel dependent on and appropriate level of core revenue funding support from central Government. This core funding would give our qualified science staff more job security.

8.  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  Nature's World is an established independent educational centre aiming to inform and inspire young people and the public about the Science and Technology of environmental issues. We feel the long-term future of independent Science and Discovery Centres such as Nature's World will depend on an appropriate level of core funding from central Government to help support our revenue and overhead costs.

June 2007