This immersive Conservation with Zookeeping course takes you deep into the world of wildlife conservation. You’ll roll up your sleeves for real in‑situ conservation work, venturing into some of the UK’s wilder landscapes, and step inside a local zoological collection to discover how endangered species are cared for and protected through ex‑situ conservation.
For anyone considering a future in nature conservation or zookeeping, this is a rare chance to gain hands‑on experience and connect with professionals already working in the field.
The week begins out in nature, exploring a variety of habitats at nearby reserves. You’ll take part in practical conservation tasks, habitat management, and wildlife monitoring, building skills that are essential for fieldwork and ecological research.
In the second half of the course, the focus shifts behind the scenes at our partner zoos. You’ll take part in expert‑led workshops on animal handling, enrichment, and conservation practice—and enjoy some unforgettable close encounters with the animals themselves.
It is delivered in collaboration with:
- Dartmoor Zoological Society (inspiration for ‘We Built a Zoo’) at Slapton Ley in Devon
- Colchester Zoological Society at Flatford Mill in Suffolk
- Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm, Manor Wildlife Park and Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo at Dale Fort in Pembrokeshire
This course is for those aged 16-18 years old and is suitable for the residential section of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Always check with your leader before booking.
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Our young people residentials deliver a wide-ranging, enriching experience and give you the chance to develop a range of transferable skills. This can be great to include in higher education and job applications.
Around core themes of nature and landscapes, active learning, and personal and social skills, our courses promote nature connection, environmental understanding and responsibility, health and wellbeing, working well with others, resilience and curiosity.
If you are a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award participant, this course is also an ideal way to complete the Residential section of the award.
See our Residential FAQs page if you’d like to know the answers to some commonly asked questions.
If these course dates do not suit you, we run lots of similar courses at our centres across the country.
Approved Activity Provider
As an Approved Activity Provider for DofE, our opportunities meet all the requirements for DofE. We do however always recommend checking suitability with your DofE assessor before booking a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential.
Explore our range of opportunities for young people. Whether you’re looking to complete your Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, want to explore possible careers, or simply want to expand your knowledge of nature and the natural world, our range of opportunities and experiences offers something for everyone.
Example Timetable
Day 1
Arrival - From 12 pm
Afternoon - Introduction to the centre and surrounding area. Team building games.
Evening – Setting mammal and moth traps
Day 2:
Nature Reserve Day
Morning/afternoon - A visit to a local nature reserve to learn about in-situ conservation. An introduction to wildlife surveying - mammal trapping, moth trapping, freshwater invertebrate surveys and bat identification.
Evening - Bat Walk
Day 3
Practical Conservation
Morning/afternoon - Get hands-on with some practical conservation tasks, helping with local habitat management such as removal of invasive species, scrub clearance, hedgerow maintenance or tree planting.
Evening - A virtual introduction and Q&A with the Zoo in preparation for the following day.
Day 4
Day at the Zoo
Morning/afternoon - Activities may include workshops in conservation, animal handling, enrichment, and zoo careers, as well as a 'close encounters' session and enterprise challenge.
Evening – Campfire*
*At Slapton Ley this evening will be spent at the zoo, setting up camp, having a night tour of the zoo and then a campfire.
Day 5
Half day at the Zoo.
Morning - More workshops at the zoo before returning to the Field Centre to round off the course.
Departure at 3.00 pm.
Please note this is an example programme and the exact activities and timings will vary between centres depending on local factors. To ensure safe and quality learning experiences for participants, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres.
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
In Course Transport -
Picnic Lunch
Before You Attend
This residential is open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
We want to ensure participants get to share their experience with those of a similar age. Please consider what age the attendee will be on the course date you choose, and check they fit in the age category for that date when booking. (Please see each individual course at the bottom of this page for age ranges).
When you book, it is essential that you enter the age and attendee's name in the Order Notes at checkout. If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian.
When attending the residential dates which welcome 16-18 year olds, all participants will be expected to follow the behaviour and conduct rules which will be in place to safeguard young people.
Prior to the course, you will receive the following:
- A full kit list. Any technical equipment required will be provided, so you will just need the typical kit for a residential stay and being outdoors.
- An introduction to the staff delivering the course and information about the centre, so you know what to expect on arrival.
- A detailed itinerary for the course, including arrival and departure instructions. On some courses, there may be the opportunity to book a train station pick-up and/or drop-off.
- A link to an online photo consent form.
- The expectations of young people attending our courses.
- A form to share any specific dietary or medical needs.
Opportunities to attend this course
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Mon 27, July 2026 12:30 - Fri 31, July 2026 15:00
Delivered in partnership with Dartmoor Zoological Society, this residential has the unique opportunity to ‘snooze at the zoo’. The rest of the week is based at Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, managed by the Field Centre itself and includes the rare opportunity to canoe on the ley itself. A pickup and drop off at Totnes station is available for this course, £10 each way. This residential is open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
Sorry this course is out of stock
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Mon 24, August 2026 12:30 - Fri 28, August 2026 15:00
Please call Flatford Mill if you'd like to be placed on the waitlist for this course on 01206 297110. Delivered in partnership with Colchester Zoological Society, and includes a visit to the RSPB’s stunning Minismere Nature Reserve. The visits to the zoo include a workshop where you build enrichment for a chosen animal, and why zoos exist. It also includes a visit to an in-situ conservation bird reserve. The rest of the week is based around the Dedham Vale National Landscape. This residential is open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
Sorry this course is out of stock
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Mon 26, October 2026 16:00 - Sat 31, October 2026 12:00
During this 6-day residential you’ll learn how Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, Manor Wildlife Park, and Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm are run. You'll meet experts and take part in conservation activities. Spend time in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and learn how this iconic landscape is protected. You'll help with conservation tasks and discover the species that call this part of the world home. This residential is open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
