Take the opportunity to get outside, get involved, have fun and learn with Essex Wildlife Trust.
For more than 50 years, Essex Wildlife Trust has run a diverse programme of events 
and activities giving the people of Essex the opportunity to become aware, understand and take positive action for the wildlife around them.
This programme has continuously developed and is delivered by a professional and experienced team of staff and volunteers, who always ensure an enjoyable, high quality and safe, experience.
Essex Wildlife Trust as a charity relies entirely on financial contributions from supporters, through membership, donations, funding grants and legacies. In order to support our work a donation is requested for the various events and activities we provide. Donations ensure we are able to provide a high quality and sustainable programme to engage schools, families and local communities to understand, learn and take positive action for wildlife. Please see our events guide, website and information in centres for requested donations. We thank you in advance for your support.
Outdoor Learning for Schools
Essex Wildlife Trust is committed to providing high quality ‘hands on’ exploration and discovery based learning, which is learner focused, fun, and memorable. Every child should experience the wealth of learning opportunities outside the classroom as an integral part of learning, understanding and development.
A wide range of learning opportunities and activities are available for school and college groups through field visits to nature reserves and visitor centres, outreach to schools or local green spaces. Learning programmes complement the National Curriculum at all Key Stages with many cross curricular links. Sessions cater for a range of learning styles and needs. Essex Wildlife Trust aim is to connect young people with the natural world, providing many diverse opportunities for exploration and learning about Living Landscapes, Living Seas and sustainability, inspiring young people to have a positive relationship with wildlife and want to take action to protect their local environment.
Outdoor learning helps young people to develop as individuals, learn to manage their own risk, learn through exploration, learn in a fresh and stimulating environment, share experiences with friends and teaching staff, put skills and learning from the classroom into practice and be active outdoors. Essex Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers have the expertise to support schools and teaching staff in maximising and achieving a range of outcomes from the outdoor learning experience.
Outdoor Learning for Schools and other groups is available all year round. Essex Wildlife Trust staff and volunteer leaders maximise the learning opportunities at each location and make full use of the different seasons, which provides a year round range of learning opportunities.
Essex Wildlife Trust provides advice, support and regular communication with teachers ahead of the outdoor learning experience. Teachers are invited to meet with staff in advance of their booking to discuss their requirements and to visit the site. All information is provided and available within the website links below:
Essex Wildlife Trust offers assembly sessions and after school clubs. Staff also provide professional development training for teachers and other education practitioners. Please contact us for more information and to discuss your needs.
For more information, on cost, how to book and to access downloads please visit:
Field Visits to Nature Reserves and Visitor Centres or the Schools Outreach page.
Forest School
Forest School sessions are delivered to school children and other community groups. The ethos of Forest School is to have regular (weekly) contact with a local woodland. At Forest School the group can safely discover, explore and enjoy the outdoor environment in a child-led way, allowing them to develop emotionally and physically and gain a life-long respect and understanding for the natural world.
For more information please visit the Forest School page.
School and Community Group Membership
Why not join Essex Wildlife Trust? For just £40 School and Community Group Members receive engaging and informative wildlife publications throughout the year suitable for both adults and children. Show your support for the work of Essex Wildlife Trust and provide a long term relationship with the organisation, providing continued learning for pupils.
New members will receive a fantastic starter pack folder containing; Essex Wildlife Trust's 'Wildlife' magazine with updates on conservation in Essex, 'Link' magazine full of activity ideas for teachers and group leaders, 'Watch' children's magazine, a 60 page Wildlife Watcher's Handbook, posters for display and much more! Members will receive three mailings of the latest magazines and information per year, which are packed full of useful and exciting information for teachers, group leaders and young people.
Membership provides lots of fun and educational information for children and adults to learn about wildlife. Best of all, your school or group's membership will help to protect local wildlife for the future and for the people of Essex.
Schools and Community Group Membership: £40 per year
To join please download, complete and return the membership form.
Join Us at a Community Event
Essex Wildlife Trust is active in a wide range of local communities, inspiring people to understand the importance of the wildlife in their surrounding landscape and coast, and what they can do to help. Our staff and volunteers attend community events and can support local people to improve an area for wildlife and people.
Arrange an Activity Session for your Organisation or Community Group
There are many opportunities for youth organisations such as Cubs and Brownies to get involved, through attending evening activity sessions at an EWT visitor centre and nature reserve or involvement with a local project, which can help work towards achieving an interest badge. Staff and volunteers arrange bespoke sessions for Children’s Centres, physically and mentally disabled groups, adult groups, and many more to ensure every need is met where possible to engage a wide audience of people.
Please contact your local visitor centre for more information.
Take Part in a Weekend or School Holiday Activity
There are events and activities for children and families to get involved
with throughout the school holidays and on some evenings and weekends at our visitor centres and in your local community. These include family events for all ages, full day sessions for 8+ year olds (drop off and pick up), and the opportunity for young people to get involved in practical conservation sessions. Weekend and evening events include bat-detecting walks, astronomy workshops, reptile walks, seasonal themed events, orienteering, natural crafts, open days, opportunities to experience wildlife spectacles and even overnight camping events.
For dates and further information of these events please see our bi-annual events guides or visit our What's On page. Advance booking and donation is required for most events.
Come along to our Activities for Under 5's
Our visitor centres offer a fantastic range of weekly and monthly sessions for pre-school children and their families. They are a superb opportunity for little ones to experience the outdoor environment and through exploration and discovery, they will develop their sensory, physical, social and emotional skills. Great chance for parents to meet new people and experience the outdoors too.
For dates and further information of these events please see our bi-annual events guides or visit our What's On page. Advance booking and donation is required for most events.
Book a Birthday Party with a Difference
All our visitor centres offer wildlife-themed birthday parties for all ages. The sessions are packed with activities such as pond dipping, shelter building, treasure hunts, natural crafts and much more. After a great time outside you will have use of a room to provide your own party tea.
Please contact your local visitor centre for more information or to book your party.
Running Courses and Events for Adults
As well as the opportunity to join local talks, guided walks and other events, Essex Wildlife Trust offers a programme of courses for adults, providing the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge. Courses are run at various locations across the county and include bird feeding, otter and water vole surveying skills, and a range of wildlife identification courses.
For further details visit adult courses or call 01621 862960 to be added to our mailing list.
Opportunities to Become a Volunteer
Many of our events and activities depend on a significant contribution of time and energy from volunteers. They support the staff team in many ways, from leading groups and events to developing ideas and new resources. We are always in need of new volunteers to help us with this valuable work. If you are interested please ask to speak to the Education Officer at your local visitor centre or call 01621 862991.
Many other volunteering opportunities exist within the Trust.
For information contact the Volunteer Officer on 01621 862977 or visit our Volunteering page.
For more information or to make a booking:
Contact your nearest visitor centre
Information to download
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| Outdoor Fun and Learning Leaflet |