Field Studies Council

We're excited to announce that applications for our 2026 Young Darwin Scholarship are open! This unique opportunity offers 16-25-year-olds a 90% subsidised, Darwin-inspired scholarship, combining environmental education and ongoing support. So if you're passionate about the natural world and want to enhance your environmental knowledge while connecting with like-minded individuals, this scholarship is for you! 🙌🦋🐸 Apply now 👉 buff.ly/sDcR3AM #YoungDarwinScholarship

⛰️ Teachers – when it comes to location, have you considered the benefits of a field trip closer to home? 🚎 Planning your next field trip nearby means less time travelling and more time learning. So, while you benefit from a lower‑cost and more sustainable visit, your students benefit from maximum time outdoors, exploring key concepts through real‑world environments. 🌳 We’ll be sharing some of our best‑loved field sites over the next few weeks. We’d love to see where you’ve been recently – whether visiting with our centres or exploring independently in a location you love. 💚

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re reflecting on the power of noticing nature. Our Signs of Spring survey invites everyone to slow down, look closely, and tune in to small moments of change - like a bee on a flower or a butterfly passing by. These simple acts of noticing can help us feel calmer, more present, and more connected. This week, take a moment outdoors. Notice one sign of spring and remind yourself that even small changes can bring hope and renewal. 🌱 buff.ly/wv9VkTR #SignsofSpring #MHAW2026 #MHAW #Mentalhealth #MentalHealthAwareness

🌿 Spring is the perfect time to get creative 🌿 This season has a wonderful way of inspiring fresh ideas and encouraging us to try something new - and we’ve got just the thing to spark that creativity! Here’s what’s coming up this month at Flatford Mill, Suffolk. From hands-on workshops to inspiring sessions surrounded by nature, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy. 🎨 Whether you’re a complete beginner or already love getting creative, these workshops are suitable for all levels—and they also make a thoughtful and unique gift for anyone who enjoys art, nature, or learning a new skill. 👩‍🎨 👉 Find out more and book your place: buff.ly/l3cv5TP

Whose exceptional contributions to UK wildlife recording do you want to celebrate this year? There’s still time to nominate them for the NBN Awards for Wildlife Recording 2026 - but be quick, as nominations close on Monday 18 May! bit.ly/NBNawards26nom… Here’s a reminder of the seven Award categories: • Group • Lifetime Achievement • Marine • Newcomer • Terrestrial • Verifier • Young Person Nominating someone couldn’t be simpler - just answer 3 or 4 questions explaining how your nominee is making a difference to wildlife recording in the UK. Self-nominations are also welcome - bit.ly/NBNawards26nom… Photo - Jenny Mallinson recording underwater at Studland

Whether you’re spotting wildflowers, exploring garden wildlife, or improving your botany skills, our publication bundles help you identify more of what’s around you this summer. Get three guides for £10. 🌸 Plus, you could get all our summer bundles to qualify for free postage. 👉️ buff.ly/EGOjwwk We're currently offering free postage on orders of publications over £30.

What can cemeteries teach us about urban ecology? 🌿 Young Darwin Scholar, Eve Rowson, explores how these often-overlooked spaces can act as vital refuges for wildlife, supporting bird populations and increasing access to nature in our towns and cities. Through the Young Darwin Scholarship, Eve gained hands-on conservation experience and a new perspective on nature, recognising that meaningful ecological work can happen right on our doorstep. Our Young Darwin Scholarship is open for 2026, so apply today if you're between 16-25 and interested in the opportunitiy. 👉 Read her blog to find out more:buff.ly/6vKW7vW

Happy 100th Birthday, Sir David Attenborough! Here's a little video birthday card from all of us here at Field Studies Council! 🌱 Sir David Attenborough is one of the most loved and well-respected biologists and natural historians of our time. 🍃 Through his remarkable work, he has inspired millions to connect with the natural world and understand how we can all play a part in creating a more balanced and sustainable future. 🌍 His documentaries have sparked curiosity and passion in generations of ecologists, helping us all to better understand our changing planet and why its protection is so vital. What an incredible milestone - it's been a true privilege to learn from and be inspired by Sir David’s wisdom over the years. 💚

Want to improve your understanding of bat surveying? 🦇 This course covers the challenges of surveying bats in woodlands, compares acoustic and capture methods, and explores woodland management and conservation for theses animals. Ideal for ecologists, students and environmental professionals looking to build practical knowledge and confidence. 🦇 Students can get 20% off using the code 'BioStudent20' at checkout. 👉️ buff.ly/5wHaXLT

Did you know that dragonflies spend most of their lives hidden underwater? After hatching from eggs, they live as larvae for months or even years, hunting prey with a powerful extendable jaw. When conditions are right, they climb out of the water and emerge as adults, leaving their cast skin behind. This dramatic transformation skips a pupal stage entirely. Adult dragonflies live for just weeks, making each sighting a brief glimpse of an extraordinary life cycle. If you’ve seen a dragonfly please share it with us to collate helpful data on our #SignsofSpring survey: buff.ly/wv9VkTR

⛰️ Today’s the day! David is now officially setting off on the West Highland Way, his first multi‑day trek and his first backpacking adventure. Keep an eye on socials for his updates! From Milngavie to Fort William, he’ll cover 96 miles of stunning landscapes, tough climbs, and unforgettable moments, all to raise funds for outdoor learning. “Here goes! Thank you for every bit of encouragement so far — it means everything. I’ve got a relatively mild 11-mile day to begin with. That should get me warmed up nicely for the challenges ahead. I keep telling myself this first step is the hardest one but I’m not sure I’ll believe that after a few days on the trail!” Follow along for updates and support David here: buff.ly/4tfa5n3

Applications are now open for our 2026 Young Darwin Scholarship! 🥳 🍃 If you’re aged 16–25, you could take part in a heavily subsidised environmental experience - choose from ecology camp, conservation with John Muir, snorkelling for marine biology and more. 100% of last year’s scholars would recommend it 🙌 Find out more and apply by 27th May 2026: buff.ly/CgE2pqh #YoungDarwinScholarship

You can sponsor David here: buff.ly/4tfa5n3

David is just one week away from stepping onto the West Highland Way. His first multi day trek and wild camping adventure. David told us he’s checking gear, planning miles, and building excitement for a journey that will take him through some of the UK’s most stunning (and demanding!) landscapes. “I put my camping setup through its paces, and the tent was still standing in the morning! I’m trying to be eco-friendly and buy as much second-hand gear as possible, but you don’t know what it’ll be like till it arrives. My pack weight is at 14kg as ultralight gear is out of my budget, so it’ll be quite a slog, but I’ll just take my time and make sure I get it done!” 👏 Drop a message of support for our incredible challenger!

What does meaningful learning look like in practice? Our Theory of Change explains the role of high quality outdoor experiences in creating meaningful learning across Field Studies Council courses. Every Field Studies Council experience works towards three core skills, built by seven experience outcomes that underpin all our delivery across the organisation. This short animation begins to tell the story. Through all our delivery we aim to build connection to and understanding of nature and landscape. The natural world is a living classroom that sparks curiosity and wonder. By guiding observation and discussion, our education team transforms a simple walk into a powerful lesson about interdependence and environmental change. Connection to nature and landscape is one of the three core skills developed by our outdoor learning experiences. To find out more about our approach to learning please visit our website: buff.ly/DbenShC

Celebrate nature this May with our free Natural History Live webinars 🌿 In the lead-up to International Day for Biological Diversity, we’re bringing together a series of expert-led talks exploring the species, habitats and recording work that underpin biodiversity across the UK. 🪲 From conservation projects to practical recording insights, our Natural History Live sessions are designed for anyone looking to widen their ecological knowledge. 🐝 Explore the full programme and book your place: buff.ly/hEUHstv #Nature #Wildlife #Ecology #GardenWildlife

An apprenticeship is often the first step in a much bigger journey. At the Field Studies Council, many of our colleagues begin as Trainee Tutors and go on to build long, meaningful careers in outdoor learning, education and environmental engagement.  In this final part of our Apprenticeship Series, we spoke with Ana, who started as a Trainee Tutor and has since progressed through the organisation to her current role as a Regional Senior Tutor. Read her story to discover how far an apprenticeship can take you — and the skills that stay with you along the way: buff.ly/PnuzJOA

🌊 Free CPD opportunity for teachers Join us on a river‑based adventure learning day on the River Severn in Shropshire! This day offers the chance to explore how outdoor challenge can build confidence, resilience and wellbeing, all guided by our experienced tutors. Spend the day learning, reflecting and connecting with other educators. ✅ Free to attend ✅ Practical, inspiring and classroom‑relevant ✅A great day out paddling! 👉 Book your place today: buff.ly/mKo6Gh0 #CPD #Canoeing

Last chance to save on this month’s WildID guide bundles. 🦋 Choose from: 🐝 Insects - bees, butterflies, ladybirds 🍃 Plants - trees, wayside plants, urban plants 🐾 Animals - land mammals, bats, amphibians and reptiles These trusted fold-out guides are perfect for learning, surveying and exploring in the field. Shop the sale before it ends: buff.ly/ywmcXm2

After the success of Sunday, we are delighted to share we have secured a place in the TCS London Marathon 2027 supporting the Field Studies Council. Would you be interested in running 26.2 miles through London in the world's most iconic marathon on Sunday 25th April? Can you commit to fundraising a minimum of £2,500 and helping more young people access outdoor learning opportunities? If so, please follow the link and register your interest. Applications will be subject to a selection process, the deadline for applications is Friday 29th May. There's more information in the document - please read it first before signing up. buff.ly/6YAkSj4