Our history
The Trust for Sustainable Living is a global education charity, based at the Living Rainforest centre in West Berkshire, UK.
1993
For many decades, our site was home to one of Europe’s leading orchids nurseries. In 1993 it was converted into a rainforest visitor centre by philanthropist Keith Bromley and a top-notch horticultural team.
2000-2001
The Living Rainforest became a sustainability education charity, led by Karl Hansen (the charity was later renamed the Trust for Sustainable Living).
2005
The Human Impact Building opened at the Living Rainforest, featuring demonstration sustainable materials and technologies such as passive ventilation, timber from well-managed forests, recycled newspaper insulation and a biomass boiler.
2011
TSL International Schools Essay Competition & Debates launched.
2015
TSL Schools Sustainability Challenge video competition launched.
2016
Small Islands Glasshouse opened.
2018
Sustainable Futures exhibit opened.
2019
British Columbia government hosts the 2019 International Schools Debate on SDG 15 (Life on Land), following the 2018 Debates on SDG 14 (Life under Water) hosted by the Seychelles government.
2020
The 10th anniversary Debates & Summit focus on PARTNER PARTNER and go online to help broaden engagement and reduce participation barriers globally. The event attracts over 1 million participants.
2021
The Living Rainforest centre wins top prize at the School Travel Awards for Best Geography Learning Experience in the UK.
2022
In follow-up to the UN COP26 summit, the TSL Competitions focus on Climate Justice.