Countryside Jobs Service Professional - The leading monthly for countryside staff across the UK

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Published on the second Thursday every month CJS is endorsed by the Scottish Countryside Rangers Association and the Countryside Management Association

Featured Charity: Groundwork

Find out more about our featured charity here.

Please remember: If you are interested in a particular advert or item please contact the advertiser, not CJS, and remember to tell them you saw their advert in CJS Professional.

CJS Professional: 12 March 2025

Click the headers to browse each section, or click on each item (or the [more] button)

Spring cleaning!

A new, fresher, brighter website and a faster loading CJS Professional - with (we hope) fully functioning links. [more]

Jobs

15 adverts for paid posts included in this edition at time of publication

Apprenticeships, Interns and paid trainee roles
Thirteen Professional Work Placement roles with the Royal Horticultural Society.

CJS Updates and other useful information

Dates for your diary, notification of changes to publication dates and deadlines over Easter. [more]

It was National Careers Week (2 - 7 March) making it the perfect time to think about the range of careers across the countryside, conservation sector; we have lots of information to guide you. And some lovely laptop stickers to tell the world that you're all Weather Worker or Dreaming of a job in the Countryside, read on and find out how to get your free sticker here.

Submit a SocEnv Award nomination today!
Do you know an ecologist, ranger, countryside manager, or conservation professional making an exceptional contribution to environmental or sustainability work? Nominate them for the 2026 SocEnv Award. Details here.

Features and In Depth Articles

Beavers Across Britain: An opportunity to gain valuable experience in real-world management by Emily Bowen, Senior Communications Officer at the Beaver Trust
Beavers are no longer a future possibility – they’re shaping rivers & catchments across Britain. For those in conservation, land management & environmental policy, the focus is now on working alongside them.

The Life of a Freelance Entomologist by Dr. Gerard Cheshire
In this opinion piece Dr Cheshire shares his journey from nature-obsessed child to specialist in invertebrate ecology — and explains why there’s no substitute for time spent outdoors, really observing and learning from the natural world.

Spotlight on one of our partner organisations: Campaign for National Parks. A new CJS partner in 2026
Why National Parks Need Campaigners: National Parks are shaped by policy as much as scenery. Designation alone isn’t enough to protect nature. That’s why Campaign for National Parks exists — independent, evidence-led and driving the biggest change in Parks law in 30 years. CJS is proud to support their work.

CJS Focus on Apprenticeships

Outside the Classroom: The Benefits and Challenges of Apprenticeships in Conservation By Sophie Hawkridge, Countryside Warden at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Sophie shares her own journey into conservation, from her first residential volunteering role to landing permanent paid work — and how being a trainee/apprentice played a huge part in getting her there.

Careers in forestry: join a growing sector
Shining a light on the Professional Forester Apprenticeship, an innovative programme led by the Forestry Commission in partnership with the University of Cumbria. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all route into the sector.

Learning with Life on the Edge - South Devon National Landscape by Nicky Bailey, Volunteer and Learning Officer - Life on the Edge, South Devon National Landscape
As part of this £4.5m project, paid trainee and apprenticeship roles were created to open doors, build confidence, and give people the chance to learn by doing—while making a real difference for wildlife squeezed between the sea and farmland.

Building Skills for the Future: Apprenticeships in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Apprenticeships play a vital role in strengthening the conservation sector — creating accessible entry routes, supporting workforce development, and equipping individuals with practical, hands-on experience alongside nationally recognised qualifications.

News from the month

Training and Events

Progress your career in wildlife conservation by studying a new online MSc in Conservation Leadership from UWE Bristol and Bristol Zoological Society. [more]

Calendar of events and short courses occurring in May plus additions made over the past month.

Advertise in CJS, information here. Rates here. Information for CJS Weekly and CJS Professional.

CJS Newsletters and updates:

CJS Weekly: subscription only weekly newsletter. Receive details of all vacancies and information advertised with CJS. Find out more here. Instant access here.

Daily email with details of latest vacancies, news and general information. Sign up free here.

New look, same CJS.

screen grab of the new CJS website home page

At long last after so many problems the website has a new look which we think is still distinctly CJS but fresher cleaner. We’ve followed the W3C guidelines to ensure best practice which means it should look as good and be as easy to use for everyone no matter where you are or what devices you’re using. See our Accessibility statement for more. We had to make a couple of compromises to ensure that the newsletters (CJS Weekly and CJS Professional) remained legible and flowed properly.

Here for CJS Professional we've instigated a new way of "locking" the content so that it will load up quickly without that annoying "buffering" and the links should all work more smoothly as well, even from your email (we hope).

We are very aware that pages can be very long, simply down to the quantity of content, the navigation menus are now pinned to the top of the screen and the content scrolls under them making it much easier to wander through the site.

The main Jobs list has been slightly rearranged making vital information such as location, grade and closing date more obvious with similar changes on the job ads themselves which now include a handy map showing you exactly where the job is located, for those with multiple locations or offering working from home we ask advertisers to pin their HQ instead. You can search the map and click on the pins to see what’s right next door to you. The main search functions for jobs, volunteers and the training directory have all been streamlined to help you find exactly what you need.

The Training Directory is one area that looks significantly different, we’ve moved away from one continuous rolling list of predominantly text to columns of boxed listings making it easier to read and for some details to be more prominent such as the cost of courses. We’ve used a similar layout for the library of articles which is possibly now the largest area of the website, and certain types are now flagged to make them more obvious, for example Job Profiles. The individual articles have a fresh new layout too and you’ll find links to related content as well.

For advertisers the submission forms are clearer and now multi-screen allowing you to click through each section in turn.

The information section has a new colour scheme and we’ve included a lot more in the first page rather than burying it deeper only found through multiple clicks.

There is a new daily email, which we admit is more for us than you as the old one was not exactly user friendly! However, it too has a fresh clean look and now matches the styling across the website.

We’re now working on Phase Two which will (we hope) include a new more simple subscription process for readers and for advertisers improvements to the Registered Advertiser section making it easier to find and edit your adverts.

Please tell us what you think and what you’d like us to look at next, email us your thoughts.

Jobs.

View all Online Jobs here. Please remember to say you saw the advert in CJS Professional.

Senior Ecologist - Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

Closing date: Tuesday 31 March 2026
Salary: Up to £37,500 FTE depending on experience
Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time
Location: Lower Smite Farm, Smite Hill Hindlip, Worcester & Droitwich, Worcestershire, WR3 8SZ

We’re looking for someone who brings solid professional experience, a strong understanding of UK legislation and best practice and a genuine commitment to delivering high quality ecological work.

Contact details

If you have any questions about the role before applying please contact the Consultancy Business Manager on 01905 754909 or email enquiries@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org

About you

Are you an experienced ecologist looking to take the next step in your consultancy career? We’re looking for someone who brings solid professional experience, a strong understanding of UK legislation and best practice and a genuine commitment to delivering high quality ecological work. If you enjoy managing your own projects, producing clear and well structured reports and working collaboratively with colleagues and clients, you’ll fit right in.

You’ll already have a strong grounding and significant experience in ecological consultancy, including experience applying planning policy and legislation, and you’ll hold at least one protected species licence. Experience with Biodiversity Net Gain is welcomed, though not essential, and you’ll be confident balancing competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of work. Full membership of CIEEM reflects your commitment to professional development and a full UK driving licence is essential for this role.

About the role

As a Senior Ecologist, you’ll take a leading role in delivering high quality ecological consultancy work from the very beginning of a project right through to completion. This is a chance to shape meaningful outcomes for wildlife by managing your own portfolio of ecological projects, providing expert advice and ensuring clients receive clear, accurate and insightful guidance that supports nature’s recovery.

You’ll be responsible for planning and delivering ecological surveys and assessments across a range of habitats and species groups, using your technical expertise to collect, analyse and interpret ecological data. A key part of your role will be producing high quality technical reports for planning and client use, as well as reviewing the work of colleagues to ensure consistency and professional standards across the team.

Working closely with clients, colleagues and stakeholders, you’ll help projects run smoothly from quotation through to final delivery. Your ability to communicate clearly, manage competing priorities and build strong working relationships will be central to achieving the best outcomes for both people and wildlife.

This is an excellent opportunity to deepen your consultancy experience within a supportive team, contributing to impactful conservation work while developing your professional skills. Some evening and weekend work may be required and a full driving licence is essential.

About us

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy is part of a network of Wildlife Trust Consultancies. As such we can draw on the expertise and experience of 20 other consultancy teams across the UK. We have been delivering high quality ecological services to clients in Worcestershire and beyond for over 30 years. This is an exciting opportunity for an ecologist looking to join a supportive team, where we offer the opportunity for personal and professional development. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is Worcestershire’s leading nature conservation charity, committed to protecting wildlife and the natural environment. We are supported by over 21,000 individual members. Our 40 staff are supported by our 500 volunteers who are vital to the delivery of our work. We manage 75+ nature reserves across the county, covering 12.5 square kilometres of land, and provide land management advice across around a quarter of Worcestershire. Inspiring people to take action for nature is central to our work, from schools and youth groups to communities and local businesses.

Our strategy to 2030 focuses on three key goals:

Nature in recovery: 30% of land for nature by 2030
Action for nature: 1 in 4 people taking action for nature by 2030
Sustaining our future: more diversity, more funding and carbon zero by 2030

We are one of 46 independent Wildlife Trusts across the UK.

We’re wild about inclusion. To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities to change the natural world for the better. It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are valued and everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we actively welcome applications from disabled candidates. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements required and choose to apply under the scheme will be offered an interview.

What we offer

We offer a supportive, friendly and purpose driven working environment where your contribution genuinely makes a difference for wildlife and local communities. As part of Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy and Trust, you’ll benefit from:

A generous annual leave allowance of 6.6 weeks including bank holidays
A holiday purchase scheme
A contributory pension scheme with 4% employee/8% employer contributions
Flexible and hybrid working options, where possible
Enhanced Parental Leave policies
Group Life Assurance at 3x annual salary

How to apply

Click here

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and therefor the vacancy may be filled and advert withdrawn at any time.

Closing Date: 31/03/2026

Location: Lower Smite Farm, Smite Hill, Hindlip, Worcester & Droitwich, Worcestershire, WR3 8SZ

Communications & Engagement Officer - Evidence Emergency

Surrey Wildlife Trust

£30,000-£31,500 FTE (depending on experience) short term contract April to October 2026 with potential for extension. Variations of hours (part or full-time) and salary will be considered for the right candidate.

Hybrid (office facilities in Pirbright or near Leatherhead) or fully remote working.

Can you inspire and communicate with confidence and passion? Then we need you! This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the Evidence Emergency’s push to ensure we use evidence to benefit nature restoration.

About the Evidence Emergency project

The Evidence Emergency (EE) project is a critical initiative within the Wildlife Trusts federation aimed at addressing the urgent need for robust, evidence-driven decision-making in conservation efforts and ensure each and every Wildlife Trust has a culture of evidence-based conservation. This project recognises the growing importance of digital technologies and facilitating knowledge-sharing in understanding and protecting wildlife and habitats across the UK.

The project's main goals include enhancing the use of evidence to support key decisions and encourage the creation and sharing of the work being done by Wildlife Trusts to fill our evidence gaps. It seeks to build capacity for evidence-led decision-making while fostering a culture of innovation and knowledge-sharing across the federation, as well as supporting the development of innovative digital solutions to support conservation work. A key component of the project is the establishment of the Evidence Centre of Excellence, which will drive long-term improvements in how evidence is used in conservation efforts.

Key Tasks

The function of the Communications & Engagement Officer is to support delivery of the Evidence Emergency Project’s Grow Phase, working closely with the Wildlife Trust cross-federation project team. Leading on delivering the communications and engagement strategy during the establishment of the Evidence Centre of Excellence and assisting with the facilitation of the Evidence Advocates network.

You will support the EE team to maintain visibility and momentum for the project across the federation, generate interest in evidence-based conservation approaches, and encourage engagement with the Evidence Centre of Excellence’s digital platform. To do this, you will create varied, creative, and engaging comms (e.g., newsletters, blog posts, short videos) using the EE project’s voice, style, and branding; develop, share, and maintain content and resources to populate the digital hub; promote and encourage user-generated content; track engagement with content and adapt communications based on feedback and usage; provide regular feedback to project team and attend project management meetings to support the development of the project through a continuous and iterative process.

You will support EE team to organise and facilitate cross-Wildlife Trust meetings and events through helping to plan and promote the Evidence Advocate (EA) network: inviting guest speakers and liaising with EAs; producing and sharing meeting summaries/recaps; identifying sources of future content from these meetings and feeding this back to EE colleagues to support planning; sharing responsibility for monitoring the team inbox and responding to EA enquiries; supporting the organisation and delivery of knowledge-sharing events, innovation workshops, and a cross-federation conference. You would also have the opportunity speak about the project and the Centre of Excellence at federation-wide events and at local Wildlife Trusts (occasional travel may be involved; most meetings are remote) and/or chair meetings, should this be of interest.

Person specification

To successfully undertake this role, you will need excellent written and verbal communication skills; the ability to translate complex or technical subject matter into clear, engaging narratives for different audiences; excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines; the ability to work independently using own initiative and judgment; good IT competence and creativity (Microsoft Office required, experience using any of MailChimp, design tools such as Canva (or similar) for content production, or video-editing software to produce short-form content would be an advantage).

To demonstrate your suitability for this role, you will need experience delivering regular, high-quality content. The ideal candidate will be confident shaping comms for behaviour and culture change – direct experience of this is not essential, but being able to explain how your background equips you to work in this way will help your application. Please see the job profile for the full criteria – whilst every box does not need to be covered, a solid, relevant background and the right personality to carry this role are essential. This role may suit someone transitioning careers or a freelancer seeking greater stability.

We are committed to having an inclusive and diverse workplace and encourage applications from backgrounds which may be underrepresented in our sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to offering an interview to all candidates that meet the primary criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustment to make our recruitment process more accessible. We are a Disability Confident Employer.

If you fulfil the role criteria, please send a completed application form, available on our website, or a covering letter and CV, to chloeindia.wright@surreywt.org.uk. If you would like to include examples of your work alongside your application, we would love to see what you can do, but this is not a requirement.

If you would like an informal chat, please message Chloë.

The deadline for applications is midday 19th March 2026. Interviews will be held week commencing 23rd March 2026 although initial contact may be made with applications as they are received so don’t delay!

Closing Date: 19/03/2026

Location: Hybrid (office facilities in Pirbright or near Leatherhead) or fully remote working.

Area Manager - West Scotland

GreenGold Timberlands 1 Ltd

GreenGold Timberlands is a Scottish forestry company managing approximately 4,000 hectares of forestland across the country. We are part of a larger European group with a long-term commitment to sustainable forest ownership, managing around 80,000 hectares across Europe.

To further strengthen the GreenGold team in Scotland, we are now looking to appoint an Area Manager (West Scotland). You will join a close-knit three-person Scottish team, while also working alongside an experienced international group focused on business development and continuous improvement

GreenGold will have two Area Managers (West & East), based in Callander, both reporting directly to the Company Director.

This position covers all aspects of owning and managing forestland in Scotland. You will be responsible for the management of our forests in Western Scotland, including:

Key Responsibilities

Planning, tendering, supervising, and following up on:
- Silvicultural operations
Restocking and establishment work
Forest road and bridge construction and maintenance
Preparing annual work programmes and budgets for your area
Managing timber sales tenders and contributing to roundwood export operations
Coordinating and supervising harvesting operations
Preparation of long-term forest management plans
Ensuring forest inventory and mensuration data are accurate and up to date
Reporting on operations and forest data on a quarterly basis
Identifying potential woodland acquisition opportunities and supporting the purchase process
Assisting in the implementation of GreenGold’s newly developed forest management IT system

Candidate Requirements

We are looking for someone who:

Has relevant education and experience in commercial forestry
Holds a full UK driving licence
Has strong IT skills, including GIS competence
Demonstrates excellent work ethic and the ability to work independently with strong personal drive
Works well as part of a team and values international collaboration
Has an open-minded attitude and enjoys developing with a growing company
Is a professional member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, or working towards chartered status (preferred)

What GreenGold offers:

We offer an attractive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience, including:

Company vehicle
Pension scheme
Opportunities for long-term professional growth within an international forestry group

Queries about the application process?

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to:

carl@greengold.one

Closing date: 26 March
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged.

For any queries regarding the role or application process, please contact us by email.

Closing Date: 26/03/2026

Location: Callander

Freelance, Self-employed and Contracts Out to Tender.

Apprenticeships, Interns and paid trainee roles.

Click here to find out how to advertise your job in CJS Professional and reach 100,000+ fellow professionals.

Volunteers.

See all listings online at: https://www.countryside-jobs.com/volunteers/intro

Advertise your voluntary roles with CJS - it's free! Click here.

We have a wide range of articles focused on volunteering covering everything from the benefits of volunteering to how organisations can best set up volunteering programmes.

Browse the list here.

Volunteering in the Gardens at Polesden Lacey

Polesden Lacey will be holding two Volunteer Recruitment Coffee Mornings in their Cafe on Sat 31 Jan and Sat 21 Feb from 10.00 to 12 noon. Please come along if you are interested in volunteering in the Gardens. For more information email: plvolunteering@nationaltrust.org.uk.

CJS announcements, information and other articles of interest.

Dates for your diary

As usual there are two Bank Holidays over Easter, therefore a couple of upcoming vital changes to note. The Good Friday CJS Weekly edition will be published on THURSDAY 9 April meaning both copy and subscription deadline move back by one day to Wednesday 8 April.

The office will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday so no online news or job updates those days either.

Photo of award overlaid with text: Nominations now open. 2026 ScoEnv Awards

Submit a SocEnv Award nomination today!

Do you know an ecologist, ranger, countryside manager, or conservation professional making an exceptional contribution to environmental or sustainability work?

Nominate them for the 2026 SocEnv Awards and help spotlight their impact across the sector. Nominations are open for two categories: Rising Star (up to 10 years’ environmental experience) and Environmental Professional of the Year, recognising significant achievements delivered since 1 January 2025, including ongoing projects, volunteering activities and more.

Please note: Nominees must be a Chartered Environmentalist, Registered Environmental Practitioner or Registered Environmental Technician.

Learn more and submit a nomination: https://socenv.org.uk/socenv-awards/

Features and In Depth Articles.

Spotlight on one of our partner organisations: Campaign for National Parks

A new CJS partner in 2026

CJS Focus on Apprenticeships.

CJS Focus is our in-depth dive into a specific area of the sector; the aim being to expand knowledge of specific areas of the sector and to provide valuable information thereby increasing your knowledge.

CJS Focus On: Apprenticeships has been running through February and March and details of the articles comprising the series will be collated as they are published. CJS Focus on Apprenticeships page is here.

News.

Training Directory.

Browse the Training Directory online here for short courses (up to 10 days long), or here for longer courses, distance learning and centres and providers

The Directory includes a wide range of courses providing certification in practical skills such as chainsaw use, need to learn how to identify dragonflies, or want to find out the best way to get the community involved in your project then this is the section to read. We include details of many professional courses in the online short courses pages. There are also sections for longer courses, training centres and other events (eg conferences).

Search for your next CPD course here.

Recently added online events and learning including calendar of short courses happening in May 2026.

Progress your career in wildlife conservation

Progress your career in wildlife conservation by studying our new online MSc in Conservation Leadership. Backed by nearly two decades of partnership between UWE Bristol and Bristol Zoological Society, the course draws on proven expertise in wildlife conservation education.

The course develops leadership capability to address a critical skills gap in the conservation sector. Bespoke training modules are built around essential conservation leadership skills. You’ll develop expertise in project management frameworks tailored to wildlife conservation, including planning, financial management, adaptation and team leadership. A standout feature of our degree is a six-month work-based placement with an active conservation programme team, where you’ll turn theory into practice.

The course is offered as a flexible distance learning programme studied online.

All taught modules are also available as standalone online CPD courses.

To find out more and attend our next virtual open event on Tuesday 24 March 2026, click here

Events

21/03/2026 British Dragonfly Society Spring Meeting at Online 1 Day

British Dragonfly Society Contact: c-js.info/3MIhSB1 eleanor.winnett@british-dragonflies.org.uk

A day of diverse talks, including 'How the National Education Nature Park is Supporting Biodiversity in Schools', 'Ending the Sale of Peat Campaign', and 'Marsh Wood Pond, a case study of Odonata population changes in Oxfordshire'.

13/04/2026 Green Equity Symposium 2026 at Stonehouse Court Hotel, Gloucestershire, 2 Days

Arboricultural Association Contact: c-js.info/40BvTU9

Beyond tree care, we must address environmental justice and green equity. Join us in Stonehouse for two days of expert talks and workshops on building sustainable, equitable urban spaces. Featuring speakers from the Woodland Trust and National Trust, we’ll explore how to ensure everyone has access to nature.

07/05/2026 Annual Conference 2026: Grounded in Data 1 Day
Online, The Rivers Trust. Contact: https://c-js.info/4tYXw7g
It is vital that on-the-ground river restoration is rooted in robust data and evidence and carried out in partnership with communities. From our data-driven public campaigns to our innovative approach to funding nature-based solutions, these key elements all align with the work and values of the Rivers Trust Movement, and we’ll be unpacking how to get them right in our free, online, 2026 Annual Conference. Find out more about the event, including our open call for submissions.

12/05/2026 Futurebuild 2026 3 Days
Excel London, Futurebuild. Contact: https://www.futurebuild.co.uk/
Join us at Futurebuild to connect with industry leaders, innovators, and peers. Explore fresh ideas, discover real innovations, and build relationships that will help you deliver a more sustainable and high-performing built environment.

20/05/2026 See the 99% of biodiversity lost from the UK 7 Days
South East Poland, Wildlife & Countryside Services. Contact: 03339000927 martin@wildlifeservices.co.uk https://c-js.info/4f3wvbE
Trying to 'fix' our ecosystems is like trying to do an incredibly complicated jigsaw puzzle, with millions of pieces (most of which are missing) and no picture on the box. We need to see the picture and get a feel for the pieces, to see how it all fits together.

20/05/2026 Beavers Across Britain Conference 2 Days
Newcastle Civic Centre, Beaver Trust. Contact: https://c-js.info/4rCTnEj
At this pivotal moment for beaver restoration, Beavers Across Britain 2026 – Science, Practice and Policy will bring together over 400 delegates to establish an ambitious vision for wild beaver restoration in Scotland, England and Wales, uniting science, skills and ambition for large-scale restoration and presence normalisation – everything you need to know to support beavers’ return to our rivers.

Webinars

11/03/2026 Bioluminescence

Zoom, Suffolk Wildlife Trust Contact: www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/adult-learning/webinars community.networks@suffolkwildlifetrust.org 01473 890089

What is it that makes certain organisms glow? How does biofluorescence differ from bioluminescence and phosphorescence? Explore the diverse ecosystems of Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Ecuador, and the UK to uncover the hidden fluorescent wonders of the natural world, with David Atthowe

11/03/2026 Making the Most of Bird Sounds

Online, Biological Recording Company Contact: c-js.info/4nr4EVU

Learn how to plan, analyse, and report high-quality bird surveys using sound monitoring in this ecoTECH webinar with Wilder Sensing.

12/03/2026 Changes in the UK Stag Beetle Population: Evidence from Citizen Science and Museum Records

Online, Biological Recording Company Contact: c-js.info/4apgU4q

Join us for a FREE entoLIVE webinar with David Wembridge (People's Trust for Endangered Species) as he shares new research revealing trends of population change in UK Stag Beetles.

13/03/2026 Introduction to Reptile Surveying

Online, Field Studies Council Contact: c-js.info/3RcPzZZ biodiversity@field-studies-council.org N/A

This one-hour webinar hosted by John Wilkinson will introduce the methods used to detect and monitor reptiles across the U.K., including reasons for surveying, survey techniques, and key considerations. John is a conservation ecologist who has been working with amphibians and reptiles for over 25 years.

19/03/2026 Classifying Camera Trap Footage

Online, Biological Recording Company Contact: c-js.info/4aj8j31

Learn to review, identify and classify footage, manage data, and share camera trap findings through MammalWeb in this training webinar with Sammy Mason.

25/03/2026 Thermal Vision for Bats: Practical Applications in Ecology

Online, Biological Recording Company Contact: c-js.info/4rHJTaF

Discover how thermal imaging is transforming bat emergence surveys, from field deployment to faster, more confident data analysis, in this FREE webinar with Thermal Vision Ecology.

25/03/2026 Bee-flies

Online, Biological Recording Company Contact: c-js.info/4bQDNQJ

Learn about the Bee-flies (Bombyliidae) of the UK with tutor Tony Madgwick in this entoLEARN training webinar.

25/03/2026 Webinar: Completing your habitat map

Online, National Education Nature Park Contact: c-js.info/3OtcDWt

If you’ve made a good start with your habitat map and want reassurance that you’re on the right track, this webinar is for you. Aimed at educators, the Nature Park science team will offer practical guidance so you can refine your habitat map alongside them at the webinar.

31/03/2026 Biodiversity for Sustainable Development Goals

Online, Biological Recording Company Contact: c-js.info/4kqmJTR

Discover why biodiversity matters, how it supports the UN SDGs, how change is monitored, and what actions lead to a nature-positive future, in this Skills for Ecology webinar with Prof Jeff Ollerton.

15/04/2026 Webinar: Start of summer term with the Nature Park

Online, National Education Nature Park Contact: c-js.info/3OBxNSf

Kickstart the summer term with the National Education Nature Park. Hear the latest updates from the programme, what's coming up, and how to make the most of the light and warmer days to take your learning outside, including recording the wildlife you find on your site.

29/04/2026 Webinar: Recording wildlife on your site

Online, National Education Nature Park Contact: c-js.info/3OAfmgF

Recording wildlife on your site is a key part of taking part in the Nature Park, and you can find out more about it in this webinar. Understanding what’s living there now enables you to understand how your site currently supports wildlife and provides a baseline that you can compare to in the future, once you’ve made some changes to boost biodiversity.

06/05/2026 Webinar: Making changes on your site

Online, National Education Nature Park Contact: c-js.info/3ZTL76T

Creating new habitats on your site that make it a better place for both people and wildlife is at the heart of the National Education Nature Park programme. It supports nature, your community's wellbeing and provides an opportunity for learners to gain new knowledge and skills.

Short Courses

Administrative and Office Skills

07/05/2026 UKHab and Metric Condition Assessment 2 Days

Online, UKHab Ltd. Contact: training@ukhab.org https://www.ukhab.org/
UKHab Version 2.0 and the Statutory Biodiversity Metric, relationship between Metric Condition Assessment criteria and UKHab 2.0. Metric condition assessment criteria in field, data required to evidence an assessment, reporting condition outcome scores for range of terrestrial habitats. Using condition assessment to monitor future recovery of enhanced or created habitats.

11/05/2026 UK Wildlife and The Law Online 0.5 Day
Online, Species Recovery Trust. Contact: 01722 322539 bookings@speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk https://c-js.info/3SoX2oq
A half-day online course getting participants to grips with UK Wildlife legislation and policy.

15/05/2026 Field course - Snowdonia North Wales 1 Day in Snowdonia, North Wales
The course introduces UKHab and describes approaches to desk-based and field mapping, the importance of pre-survey preparation and how to map features using polygons, points and lines. We will focus on woodland, grassland, heathland and scrub habitats and how to characterise these in the field.

19/05/2026 Field Course - Stirling 1 Day in Stirling
UK Habitat Classification (‘UKHab’) introduced with focus on broad and primary habitats in the Primary Habitat hierarchy as well as frequently used secondary codes. Habitat identification and mapping will be practiced in field visits to a range of habitats on the University Campus and upland fringe on nearby Ochil Hills.

Above two courses with UKHab Ltd. Contact: training@ukhab.org https://www.ukhab.org/

Community Engagement and Environmental Education

14/05/2026 Inspiring Nature Connection in Children 2 Days

Wildlife Discovery Room at Carsington Water Visitor Centre, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. Contact: 01773 881188 trainingenquiries@derbyshirewt.co.uk> https://c-js.info/475hRhe
Establishing a strong connection to nature is great for improving the wellbeing of children. This accredited 2-day course will give you the skills and confidence to facilitate nature-based outdoor learning and play.

21/05/2026 Practical skills refresher for Forest school 1 Day
Foxburrow Nature Reserve, IP12 1NA, Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Contact: 01473 890089 wildertraining@suffolkwildlifetrust.org https://c-js.info/46bDdXQ
A one day course for adults working with children & young people to hone skills used in Forest School sessions.

25/05/2026 Becoming A Conservation Leader
Online, Osprey Leadership Foundation. Contact: 07498695058 info@ospreylf.org https://c-js.info/4aI6Fd1
Becoming a Conservation Leader is a six-week, online course for early-career conservationists who want to tap into their leadership potential. We hope to empower you to face the future with resilience and the belief that you can, and will, make a difference.

Countryside Management Techniques

13/05/2026 Certificate in Sustainable Land Management
The Allerton Project LE7 9XE, The Allerton Project. Contact: 01572 494541 allertontraining@gwct.org.uk https://c-js.info/3TTOl81
The CSLM provides a practical insight into the key legislation, principles, application of measures and understanding of on-farm and landscape scale opportunities for advisers and land managers, to carry out effective environmental land management. The knowledge acquired through the course will help to underpin the delivery of agri-environment scheme applications and ongoing management to achieve the desired outcomes. 4 days in person plus 2 half days online.

30/06/2026 Peatland Restoration Practitioner 6 Days
Skipton, Yorkshire Peat Partnership. Contact: peat.training@yppartnership.org.uk https://c-js.info/4rSqNii
Learn to map and survey peatlands, design restoration and oversee delivery in this 6-day course accredited by LANTRA. Designed to get new entrants to the sector up to speed, it provides an overview of the full life-cycle of a blanket bog restoration project. Session 1: 30/06-02/07, Session 2: 21/07-23/07.

First Aid, Risk Assessment and other Health & Safety Related Courses

01/05/2026 Food Hygiene (Level 2) for the Outdoors Training Course 1 Day
Rough Close Scout Activity Campsite, Coventry, Warwickshire, Forge Learning. Contact: sarah@forge-learning.co.uk https://www.forge-learning.co.uk
Food Hygiene training course focussed on outdoor cooking

13/05/2026 Emergency First Aid at Work + Equestrian 1 Day at Fairoak Grange, Thatcham

https://c-js.info/4a1sFQ7
This is a course in 'Equestrian Specific' emergency first aid and is suitable for anyone working within the equestrian industry (Instructor, groom, eventer or horse owner) wishing to gain knowledge of emergency procedures and attain a recognised qualification in First Aid.

14/05/2026 Outdoor First Aid 2 Days at Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton

https://c-js.info/4pd0yCg
Whatever activity you specialize in - from mountain biking to kayaking to skiing to ecology - our comprehensive 2-day course covers all the requirements of National Governing Body (NGB) Instructor Awards in the UK. PLUS, we also teach safe helmet removal as standard - a potentially life-saving technique others leave out.

16/05/2026 Outdoor First Aid 2 Days at Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton

21/05/2026 Outdoor First Aid 2 Days at EICA Ratho, Edinburgh

21/05/2026 Outdoor First Aid for Forest Schools and Outdoor Woodland Learning 2 Days at Bonaly Outdoor Centre, Edinburgh

https://c-js.info/4paahJm
This course has been specifically designed for Forest Schools and Outdoor Learning Practitioners and those working in outdoor nurseries or other childcare in outdoor settings. It covers the requirements of forest school practitioners for first aid and includes child CPR and choking, child illness, hypothermia and includes outdoor scenarios.

23/05/2026 Outdoor First Aid 2 Days at EICA Ratho, Edinburgh

Above courses with First Aid Training Co-operative. Contact: 0333 433 0731 courses@firstaidtrainingcooperative.co.uk

Horticulture and Small Holding

09/05/2026 Introduction to Smallholding 1 Day
A comprehensive introduction to smallholding life. Taught by veterinary surgeons, with a strong emphasis on animal health & welfare. Also covering legislation, grazing management and so much more!

10/05/2026 Pig Keeping & Breeding 1 Day
Everything you need to know to get started with pigs. Taught by veterinary surgeons (who are also experienced pig farmers). Choosing a breed, buying pigs, housing & fencing. Health and routine care. A strong emphasis on welfare and keeping your pigs happy! Hot homecooked lunch provided.

30/05/2026 Sheep: Health & Husbandry 1 Day
Veterinary taught course, covering all aspects of keeping your flock healthy. Covering essential topics such as worming, lameness, flystrike. A look at drawing up a flock health plan. Routine healthcare and managament tasks. Smalll group, plenty of hands-on with the sheep as well as comprehensive teaching.

31/05/2026 Cattle for Beginners 1 Day
Thinking about getting some cows? Come and meet our breeding herd of Shetlands and see what's involved. Taught by vets - this course is a mix of comprehensive teaching and practical sessions out with cattle.

Above courses based in Llandrinio, SY22 6SQ, Smallholding Courses Wales. Contact: 07527907433 argaecottage@hotmail.co.uk https://www.smallholdingcourseswales.co.uk/

Identification and Field Survey Skills - Herpetology, Fish and Invertebrates

02/05/2026 Introduction to Solitary Bees 1 Day
Tyland Barn, Kent Wildlife Trust. Contact: 01622 662012 studydays@kentwildlife.org.uk https://c-js.info/3MOQDBQ
Introduction to the ecology and identification of solitary bees, with a mixture of classroom and field sessions

05/05/2026 Great Crested Newts (New Forest) - Ecology, Survey and Licensing 2 Days Online/Brockenhurst
Two-day hybrid course covering ID, ecology, survey and legal protection of Great Crested Newts.

05/05/2026 Great Crested Newts (Surrey) - Ecology, Survey and Licensing 2 Days Online/Nower Wood
Two-day hybrid course covering ID, ecology, survey and legal protection of Great Crested Newts.

06/05/2026 Great Crested Newts (New Forest) - Ecology, Survey and Licensing 2 Days Online/Brockenhurst
Two-day hybrid course covering ID, ecology, survey and legal protection of Great Crested Newts.

Above courses with Species Recovery Trust. Contact: 01722 322539 bookings@speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk https://c-js.info/3SoX2oq

07/05/2026 Great Crested Newt Working towards a Licence 2 Days
Peterborough, Froglife. Contact: 01733602102 info@froglife.org
Froglifes GCN courses offer the chance for competent trainees to obtain a secondary reference that is accepted by Natural England in a GCN Class 1 Licence application. This two day course consists of a theory session followed by an assessed fieldwork session.

11/05/2026 Great Crested Newts (Surrey) - Ecology, Survey and Licensing 2 Days
Online/Nower Wood, Species Recovery Trust. Contact: 01722 322539 bookings@speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk https://c-js.info/3SoX2oq
Two-day hybrid course covering ID, ecology, survey and legal protection of Great Crested Newts.

14/05/2026 Great Crested Newt Working towards a Licence 2 Days
Peterborough, Froglife. Contact: 01733602102 info@froglife.org
Froglifes GCN courses offer the chance for competent trainees to obtain a secondary reference that is accepted by Natural England in a GCN Class 1 Licence application. This two day course consists of a theory session followed by an assessed fieldwork session.

16/05/2026 Identifying and Recording Soldierflies and their Allies with Martin Harvey 1 Day
Old Sulehay nature reserve, The Wildlife Trust BCN. Contact: 07793 606026 trainingworkshops@wildlifebcn.org https://www.wildlifebcn.org/
Explore this fascinating group of 11 families of flies, using keys, specimens and microscopes to practice identification. Suitable for both beginners and improvers.

16/05/2026 Responsible Beekeeping for Beginners 1 Day at Tyland Barn

An introductory course for anyone interested in learning more about bees and the craft of beekeeping.

17/05/2026 Reptile Ecology and Survey Techniques 1 Day at Tyland Barn and Vinters Valley Nature Reserve
Discover how to identify reptiles and learn about their habitat requirements. Then search for them in a nearby nature reserve.

Above two courses with Kent Wildlife Trust. Contact: 01622 662012 studydays@kentwildlife.org.uk https://c-js.info/3MOQDBQ

18/05/2026 Great Crested Newts - Ecology, Conservation and Survey Online 0.5 Day
Online, Species Recovery Trust. Contact: 01722 322539 bookings@speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk https://c-js.info/3SoX2oq
Half-day online course covering newt ecology, conservation, legal protection and survey techniques.

31/05/2026 Pond Snails - Their ecology and identification with Brian Eversham 1 Day
Paxton Pits, The Wildlife Trust BCN. Contact: 07793 606026 trainingworkshops@wildlifebcn.org https://www.wildlifebcn.org/
Learn how to identify pond snails, which are fairly easy to learn, and can be useful in assessing water quality.

Identification and Field Survey Skills - Mammals

03/04/2026 Discovering UK Seals: Identification, Ecology and Conservation - Online Day

14/05/2026 Water Voles and Otters - Ecology and Survey (online and field course) 2 Days
Online, Species Recovery Trust. Contact: 01722 322539 bookings@speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk https://c-js.info/3SoX2oq
Ecology, conservation and management of Water Voles and Otters - split across 2 days (online 16th May, field 19th May)

Identification and Field Survey Skills - Ornithology

16/05/2026 Birdsong and Calls Masterclass 2 Days
Inshriach, near Aviemore, Speyside Wildlife. Contact: 01497 812498 enquiries@speysideiwldlife.co.uk https://www.wildlifeidcourses.co.uk/
Birdsong may be the most difficult thing to grasp and yet is one of the most useful ways to identify birds, so the aim of the course is to help you feel more confident in the identification of a selection of our most commonly heard birds.

Identification and Field Survey Skills - Plants and Habitats

06/05/2026 Summer Tree Identification for Surveyors Online 0.5 Day
Online course looking at how to identify trees in summer.

07/05/2026 Around Britain in 20 Rushes Online 0.5 Day
Online course looking at the Rush family (Juncaceae) in the UK, with top tips on how to identify them, and where to find them.

Above two courses with Species Recovery Trust. Contact: 01722 322539 bookings@speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk https://c-js.info/3SoX2oq

07/05/2026 Woodland Plant Identification Day 1 Day
Quarry Wood, Kent Wildlife Trust. Contact: 01622 662012 studydays@kentwildlife.org.uk https://c-js.info/3MOQDBQ
This is one of three separate plant identification day courses we are running in different habitats this year. On this course you will spend a whole day exploring a woodland habitat with the aim of identifying the plants found there using hand lenses, identification guides, keys, mobile phone apps and by collecting specimens.

08/05/2026 Woodland Plants - Identification and Survey 1 Day at Garston Woods
A 1-day course giving participants the skills and confidence to identify a wide range of woodland plants

12/05/2026 Sphagnum Mosses: Field Identification Course 1 Day at Wilverly Bog (FC)

A 1 day course giving participants an introduction to field identification of Sphagnum mosses and other heath and mire bryophytes.

13/05/2026 Grasses Part Two Online 0.5 Day
Follow on course looking at another 25 key grass, species which are commonly encountered in the UK.

14/05/2026 Orchid Identification for Surveyors Online 0.5 Day
Online course looking at the Orchid family (Orchidaceae) in the UK, with top tips on how to identify them, and where to find them.

21/05/2026 Woodlands - Botanical Survey Online 0.5 Day
Online course teaching the main plants to look our for in woodlands, with tips for easy ID in the field.

Above courses with Species Recovery Trust. Contact: 01722 322539 bookings@speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk https://c-js.info/3SoX2oq

21/05/2026 Meadow Plant Identification Day 1 Day
Marden Meadows, Kent Wildlife Trust. Contact: 01622 662012 studydays@kentwildlife.org.uk https://c-js.info/3MOQDBQ
This is one of three separate plant identification day courses we are running in different habitats this year. On this course you will spend a whole day exploring a meadow habitat (neutral grassland) with the aim of identifying the plants found there using hand lenses, identification guides, keys, mobile phone apps and by collecting specimens.

24/05/2026 Mountain flowers 1 Day
Cwm Idwal, Nature's Work. Contact: 07816 727414 jim@natureswork.co.uk https://www.natureswork.co.uk/
Recognise and identify mountain flowers in the field. Learn about plant ecology and adaptations. Learn about the relationship climate and water have on these flowers.

28/05/2026 Chalk Grassland Plant Identification Day 1 Day
Burham Down, Kent Wildlife Trust. Contact: 01622 662012 studydays@kentwildlife.org.uk https://c-js.info/3MOQDBQ
This is one of three separate plant identification day courses we are running in different habitats this year. On this course you will spend a whole day exploring a chalk grassland habitat with the aim of identifying the plants found there using hand lenses, identification guides, keys, mobile phone apps and by collecting specimens.

Providers

Osprey Leadership Foundation

Yorkshire Peat Partnership

Long Courses

Ecology

MSc in Conservation Leadership by UWE Bristol and Bristol Zoological Society

Sustainability

MSc in Urban Planning by University of the Built Environment

Distance Learning

Heritage Interpretation Online by Association for Heritage Interpretation

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