Young people invited to explore how Buxton’s industrial past can help shape a greener future
Press release: Tuesday 15th September 2026
Buxton Civic Association has been selected to deliver a new project exploring industrial heritage and climate change, forming part of the Fixing Our Broken Planet programme in partnership with the Natural History Museum, London.
Young people across Buxton and the High Peak are being invited to explore the connections between industry, nature, biodiversity and climate change through a new project delivered by Buxton Civic Association (BCA).
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 will bring 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.
Through Generation Hope Buxton, young people will explore how these past changes continue to influence the landscape and its wildlife. They will take part in biodiversity surveys, citizen science, heritage research, and digital storytelling and exhibition development.
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.
Rachael Cooksey, Heritage Manager at Buxton Civic Association, said:
“Grin Low provides a remarkable opportunity to explore the relationship between people and nature. What looks today like a natural woodland landscape was shaped by centuries of quarrying, lime burning and woodland management.
“We want young people to investigate that history for themselves and consider what it can tell us about the environmental challenges we face today. Most importantly, the project is about giving young people the opportunity to contribute their own ideas, observations and stories about the future of this landscape.”
The project will build on BCA’s developing Woodland Watch citizen science platform and Grin Low Heritage Trail, creating opportunities for young people to contribute observations and stories that can become part of the area’s longer-term interpretation and engagement.
The programme will culminate in a public exhibition and showcase from April 2027, featuring material developed by participants alongside community activities. Digital content created through the project will also contribute to the ongoing development of the Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Country Park app.
The project aims to involve young people who may have had fewer opportunities to participate in environmental, heritage, or cultural activities. BCA will work with local schools, youth organisations and community groups to widen participation.
The Natural History Museum’s Fixing Our Broken Planet programme explores the planetary emergency through a range of perspectives, with Generation Hope specifically supporting young people to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to speak up and take action for the planet. The 2026/27 Interconnected Generation Hope programme brings together partner organisations to explore how planetary challenges are connected across places, communities and disciplines.
For Buxton Civic Association, the partnership provides an opportunity to connect the distinctive natural and industrial heritage of Grin Low with a wider national conversation about climate change, biodiversity and environmental recovery.
We are looking for youth volunteers to get involved in woodland ecology and heritage exploration, biodiversity surveys, research into Grin Low’s quarrying and lime-burning heritage and photography and digital storytelling. If you are aged between 13-25 and would like to join the project, please contact Rachael Cooksey at rachael.cooksey@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk. Please note that under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult to any project activities.
