Below you can find an interactive map locating the outdoor learning providers around Devon. If you’d like to add your own organisation to the map, please email Ben Totterdell for further information.
Members:
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Arts and Culture
Beaford Arts – arts events, education and photographic archive that celebrate and respond to the inspiration of the environment.
Devon Racial Equality Network – an independent and impartial registered charity working across Plymouth, Exeter and Devon to promote equality of opportunity and towards eliminating racial discrimination.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) – Exeter’s world-class museum has stunning new displays and galleries, fabulous exhibitions and modern amenities revealing Devon and Exeter’s rich history and global connections. Exotic animals, birds and insects delight children and the world cultures galleries display stunning items from all over the world.
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Citizen Science
OPAL (Open Air Laboratories) – a UK-wide citizen science initiative that allows you to get hands-on with nature, whatever your age, background or level of ability.
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Environmental Education (Individual)
Doctor Compost – Nicky Scott, an expert on all things compost!
Mrs Recycle – Closing the loop on recycling – hands on events for schools and community groups.
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Environmental Education (Network)
Sustainable Schools Alliance – aims to provide a clear and compelling offer of support to all schools in the country, which will help them to put sustainability at the heart of what they do.
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Environmental Education (Organisation)
The Bioregional Learning Centre – bringing statutory bodies, NGOs, individuals and communities together to find practical ways to work collaboratively towards long-term economic and ecological resilience.
Devon Development Education – DDE exists to make Devon a more welcoming place for everyone – through promoting global citizenship, celebrating Fairtrade and embracing cultural diversity, in our schools and communities.
Devon Waste Education Programme – the Waste Education Team works with Resource Futures to provide visits to waste management facilities, curriculum linked workshops, waste audits & action planning.
Eden Project – an educational charity connecting us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future.
Planet and People – delivering workshops for environmental education and community engagement.
Planet Earth Games – inspiring people to live active and sustainable lives
Resource Futures (RF): Devon Sustainability Educators – delivering waste education in Devon since 2008. In September 2012 we were awarded the contract to run both the waste and the energy education programmes in Devon schools. Both are funded by Devon County Council and are therefore free to schools.
Sustainable Travel Team, Devon County Council – working to provide and promote sustainable and safer travel options in Devon, including walking, cycling, public transport and car-sharing.
Transition Tours Totnes – Futurebound – High quality study programmes delivering relevant, effective learning and powerful engagement for a changing world. Working in partnership with local professionals to provide well crafted trips for schools and groups.
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Environmental Education (Partnership)
Exe Estuary Management Partnership – The Partnership seeks to conserve and enhance the estuary’s special nature and promote sustainable economic and social activity by managing competing demands and addressing any conflicts as they arise, to ensure that interests and activities are harmonised.
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Gardening / Food Production
Food for Life – supporting schools to transform school food culture and achieve their FFL award; training for schools, growing food in school, cooking, running school farmers markets and the School Cooks Networks.
Foxhole Community Garden – creating a thriving community garden offering space for local families and residents to learn about growing and cooking organic produce and to enjoy being outside together.
Growing Devon’s Schools Partnership (GDSP) – creating training programs that inspire, share and empower. Making connections between schools & local providers. Providing a hub to pass on relevant information on food & healthy eating.
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Rosemoor – comprehensive programme of school workshops from pre-school to college years, drawing inspiration from the plants and gardens around us. Entrance to the garden and the workshops are FREE for schools.
Shillingford Organics Farm School – educational weekly sessions, engaging children, and adults, in farming hands on activities ranging from composting and sowing to harvesting, cooking and sharing their own crops.
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Higher / Further Education
Bicton College – a leading land-based college set within an area of outstanding natural beauty in the heart of Devon.
Centre for Sustainable Futures, University of Plymouth – leading, award winning university for sustainability – establishing ourselves as the sustainable university.
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Nature Conservation / Countryside Management
Braunton Countryside Centre – environmental and educational resources for locals and visitors to North Devon.
Clinton Devon Estates – mission is: “to secure the long term prosperity of the Estates and the people who live and work on them in ways which care for the countryside and engage with the wider community”
Dartmoor National Park – The National Park can assist you in using Dartmoor for formal and informal educational purposes. They can directly supervise or provide advice and information on topics such as natural and cultural heritage, land use and the work of the authority.
Devon Maritime Forum – an independent voluntary organisation that works to promote the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources in Devon.
Devon Wildlife Trust – working in schools across the county teaching young people about the beauty, fun and importance of wildlife and wild places.
East Devon District Council – provide a vibrant mix of outreach and reserve based activities for schools, community groups and early years providers, using our network of local nature reserves, green spaces and flagship sites of Cranbrook Country Park and Seaton Wetlands. Activities include rivers, animals, habitats, orienteering, forest schools, nature awareness along with wetlands sustainability.
Exmoor National Park Authority – ENPA are committed to supporting exciting outdoor learning, using the unique landscape of Exmoor. We provide guidance, advice, structured visits and a wide range of online learning resources via our website.
Foresty England, Haldon Forest Park – range of walking and cycling trails to suit all abilities, as well as a pump loop, cycle skills area, orienteering courses and so much more.
Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site – teaching and learning programmes focused on creating innovative classroom resources, delivering high quality Teacher CPD and being a strategic leader for outstanding and creative Earth Science education.
North Devon Biosphere Reserve – learning programmes focused on creating innovative, cross curricular classroom and outdoor resources using the local landscapes, wildlife, culture and communities as inspiration for our active learners.
Northam Burrows Country Park – providing one of the access points for the two miles of Westward Ho! Beach, thus combining the best of opportunities for land and marine leisure activities.
Offwell Woodland and Wildlife Trust – working with environmentalists and teachers and supported by a dedicated group of volunteers, our large log cabin and lakeside classroom provide an ideal venue for woodland activities and for learning about natural history.
Plantife – lasting positive change for wild flowers, plants and fungi, the life support for all our wildlife and the colour and character lighting up our landscapes
South Devon AONB – providing a range of outdoor events and activities, run by partners and other organisations, within the South Devon AONB.
South West Coast Path Association – providing information for the National Trail and raising funds to improve access for all.
South West Lakes Trust – formal or informal education, practical volunteering sessions or tuition in a range of adventurous activities. We can plan and deliver a bespoke day to your group, supporting your curriculum requirements.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust – residential centre, school visits, curriculum, enquiry, resources, adult training and environmental education
Wembury Marine Centre – Wembury Marine Centre is the ideal place to learn about the surrounding area and its wildlife through interactive displays, tanks, regular Rockpool Rambles and other marine themed events. The Centre also explains the part you can play in keeping Wembury special.
Westcountry Rivers Trust – preserving, protecting and improving the region’s water environments for all who depend on them, while inspiring a love for, and understanding of, this precious natural resource.
Woodland Trust – planting, restoring and creating woodland with help from volunteers.
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Outdoor Learning / Forest School Practitioner
ForestChi – events and workshops for individuals, one to one or small group sessions, tailor made workshops and happenings for groups e.g. schools/colleges, healthcare, team building, training for private and public groups and individuals.
Outdoor Learning for Schools – Based in and running visits around Totnes, Outdoor Learning for Schools focuses on curriculum based fieldwork design, geo-resourcing and instruction throughout Devon.
Richard Irvine Outdoor Learning – Forest School training for teachers, early years practitioners, play workers and youth workers. Forest Education experiences for school groups and recreational wood-craft courses for adults.
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Residential Adventure / Activity Centre
The Dartmoor Centres – outdoor education residentials for schools and groups in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, Devon.
Field Studies Council – an environmental education charity dedicated solely to providing informative and enjoyable opportunities for people to discover, explore, be inspired by, and understand the natural environment.
Skern Lodge Field Studies Centre – An outdoor activity and development centre based in North Devon and established in 1976, Skern Lodge provides education, learning and fun through adventure.
Simonsbath House Outdoor Centre – in the heart of Exmoor, learning opportunities in all aspects of the curriculum, with special emphasis on numeracy and literacy and a broad range of outdoor and adventurous activities.
Farms for City Children – enabling children from disadvantaged communities to experience the adventure of working together on their farms in the heart of the British countryside.
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Retreats / Nature connection activities
The Sharpham Trust – Connecting people with nature & themselves on a stunning 550-acre estate on the River Dart in South Devon.
Wildwise – challenging and creative opportunities to expand individual, family and corporate understanding of the value and meaning of our relationship to the natural world. Events are held in inspiring and beautiful Devon locations that are teeming with wildlife.
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Volunteering / Community Groups
North Devon Voluntary Services – an independent charity based in Barnstaple, providing support and specialist advice to voluntary organisations and social enterprises in the local area.
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Zoo / Animal Park
The Donkey Sanctuary – providing educational visits for school, groups and colleges to our main site in Sidmouth, presentations, assemblies and sessions in schools, free curriculum resources and links to 6 donkey assisted therapy centres across the UK.
The Mare and Foal Sanctuary – equine assisted learning creating a sense of sanctuary for people within the sanctuary for horses and ponies.
National Marine Aquarium – dedicated to raising awareness of the oceans, the challenges they face and the ways in which we can all help ensure they have a sustainable future.
Paignton Zoo – animals, plants, forest school, video-links with overseas projects, teaching and training.