Our Conservation with John Muir Award residential immerses participants in the fascinating world of conservation and ecology, bringing big ideas to life through real experiences.
You’ll venture into wild places and landscapes, explore what makes them special, and take meaningful action to protect them through hands‑on conservation tasks. Along the way, you’ll collaborate with others, share discoveries, and help shape decisions that directly support wildlife and the natural environment.
Designed for anyone with a curiosity about nature, geography, or biology, the course welcomes complete beginners as well as those looking to deepen their understanding.
By the end, participants will earn the prestigious Wild Places Guardian Award from the John Muir Trust, a recognition of their commitment to caring for the natural world.
This course has dates open to those aged 16-18 years old and those aged 18-24 years old. Please see ‘Opportunities to attend this course’ below. It is also 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.
You will be able to achieve the John Muir Award by the end of the week, and if you are doing the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, this course is also an ideal way to complete the ‘Residential’ section of the award.
Participants will also earn the prestigious Wild Places Guardian Award from the John Muir Trust, a recognition of their commitment to caring for the natural world.
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 similar courses at many of our other centres.
Accessibility and support
We are committed to making our courses as accessible as possible. As venues and activities vary, available adjustments may differ, so please contact us before booking to discuss your needs and how we can support you.
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
Example Timetable
Please note, these programmes are an example of what may be covered during a course. Centre specific programmes will vary based on location, time of year and experience. Detailed programmes for each course will be sent to participants upon booking. For more location information please reference ‘opportunities to attend this course’ below.
Day 1 – Introduction to course and local area
Arrive at 12pm
Afternoon – Participants will receive an introduction to the centre, followed by icebreakers and team games. There will also be an opportunity to explore the area and familiarise yourself with the local environment.
Evening – Local activities introducing the concepts of conservation and the John Muir Guardian Level Award.
Day 2 – Freshwater ecology and microhabitats
Morning/afternoon – Learn and practise ecological skills to identify invertebrates and use this knowledge to assess pollution levels in our rivers and streams. You will be encouraged to develop and understanding of implications on the processes that affect this wild place.
Evening – You’ll be looking at the nocturnal wildlife of the centre. Learn to set humane moth and mammal traps. Plan and lead your own bat walk with specialised detecting equipment.
Day 3 – Marine habitats
Morning/afternoon – Explore a rocky shore and see how coastal habitats support marine life. Guided rock pooling will build species identification skills and ecological understanding development.
Evening – Reflection time and a chance to socialise with other course participants including the screening of a conservation film.
Day 4 – Practical conservation
Morning/afternoon – Get involved with a local conservation project. You will get hands on conservation experience, be encouraged to make your own decisions about the tasks and explore how you can get into the industry through career talks and discussions with specialists.
Evening – Gather around a campfire, toast marshmallows and share stories and experiences.
Day 5 – Environmental adventure and citizen science
Morning/afternoon – Support the local area by getting involved in a citizen science project – beach cleans, water testing or species surveys. Followed by a chance to step outside your comfort zone with a team adventure challenge linking outdoor activities and conservation.
Afternoon – Summarise the week and congratulate each other on achieving the John Muir Guardian Level Award.
Depart 3pm
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
In Course Transport -
Lunch
Before You Attend
This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 – 24 years old at the time of attending.
We want to ensure participants get to share in their experience with those of a similar age. Please consider what age the attendee will be on the course date and check they fit into the age category when booking. (Please see each individual course at the bottom of this page for age ranges).
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.
If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian. When you book, it is essential that you enter the age and attendees name in the Order Notes at the checkout.
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 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 26, October 2026 12:30pm - Fri 30, October 2026 3:00pm
Join us on this 5‑day residential set in the biodiverse Box Hill Estate, in the heart of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. This course offers a range of activities and talks, including hands‑on conservation work, a visit to the Knepp Rewilding Estate Project, and features an inspiring talk from Cambridge University ecologist Professor Ed Turner. Alongside this we’ll be working towards you gaining your John Muir Award. This residential is only 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 12:30pm - Fri 30, October 2026 3:00pm
Take part in conservation first-hand at Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, working with rangers to protect endangered species and exploring by foot and canoe in search of otters and other wildlife. Go behind the scenes at Dartmoor Zoo, get hands-on in the labs at Plymouth University, and meet local farmers and volunteers to see how people are making positive changes for nature. 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 11, January 2027 12:00pm - Fri 15, January 2027 3:00pm
Join us on this 5‑day residential set in the biodiverse Box Hill Estate, in the heart of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. This course offers a range of activities and talks, including hands‑on conservation work, a visit to the Knepp Rewilding Estate Project, and features an inspiring talk from Cambridge University ecologist Professor Ed Turner. Alongside this we’ll be working towards you gaining your John Muir Award. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 18 - 24 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 29, March 2027 12:00pm - Fri 02, April 2027 3:00pm
During this course at Flatford Mill you will visit a local bird reserve to find as many species as you can. You'll conserve a habitat around Flatford Mill to aid our efforts for a biodiverse site and you'll explore rocky shore and freshwater habitats in search of some real facinating organisms. This residential is open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 31, May 2027 12:00pm - Fri 04, June 2027 3:00pm
Explore the Shropshire landscape with us as we take part in a range of activities – practical conservation at Nesscliffe Country Park, Bird-ringing with the BTO, investigate landscape management at the Stiperstones NNR and also go canoeing. Alongside this we’ll be introducing and starting you off on the John Muir Award. This residential is open to young people who will be aged 16-18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 31, May 2027 12:00pm - Fri 04, June 2027 3:00pm
Join us on this 5‑day residential set in the biodiverse Box Hill Estate, in the heart of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. This course offers a range of activities and talks, including hands‑on conservation work, a visit to the Knepp Rewilding Estate Project, and features an inspiring talk from Cambridge University ecologist Professor Ed Turner. Alongside this we’ll be working towards you gaining your John Muir Award. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 02, August 2027 12:00pm - Fri 06, August 2027 3:00pm
Take part in conservation first-hand at Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, working with rangers to protect endangered species and exploring by foot and canoe in search of otters and other wildlife. Go behind the scenes at Dartmoor Zoo, get hands-on in the labs at Plymouth University, and meet local farmers and volunteers to see how people are making positive changes for nature. This residential is open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 09, August 2027 12:00pm - Fri 13, August 2027 3:00pm
Explore Margam’s 850-acre parkland first-hand, working with tutors to survey ancient woodlands, freshwater streams, marshland and grasslands teeming with wildlife. Venture out to nearby Crymlyn Burrows SSSI and the Gower peninsula to investigate exceptional coastal habitats, refine identification skills, and see how we work alongside conservation groups to help protect these unique environments. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 23, August 2027 12:00pm - Fri 27, August 2027 3:00pm
Join us on this 5‑day residential set in the biodiverse Box Hill Estate, in the heart of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. This course offers a range of activities and talks, including hands‑on conservation work, a visit to the Knepp Rewilding Estate Project, and features an inspiring talk from Cambridge University ecologist Professor Ed Turner. Alongside this we’ll be working towards you gaining your John Muir Award. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 25, October 2027 12:00pm - Fri 29, October 2027 3:00pm
Join us on this 5‑day residential set in the biodiverse Box Hill Estate, in the heart of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. This course offers a range of activities and talks, including hands‑on conservation work, a visit to the Knepp Rewilding Estate Project, and features an inspiring talk from Cambridge University ecologist Professor Ed Turner. Alongside this we’ll be working towards you gaining your John Muir Award. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
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Mon 25, October 2027 12:00pm - Fri 29, October 2027 3:00pm
Take part in conservation first-hand at Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, working with rangers to protect endangered species and exploring by foot and canoe in search of otters and other wildlife. Go behind the scenes at Dartmoor Zoo, get hands-on in the labs at Plymouth University, and meet local farmers and volunteers to see how people are making positive changes for nature. This residential is open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending.
