Wildlife presenter Steve Backshall said getting children connected with nature was “critical”, as he opened a new “forest school” in Northamptonshire.
Cogenhoe Primary School invited the TV star to open its site while in the county for his live show on marine life at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate.
Charley Oldham, headteacher, said she “couldn’t believe” it when the VIP guest responded “straight away”.
Backshall spent the day being shown around the new outdoor classroom.
The forest school includes a bug hotel and areas for meditation, storytelling and construction.