Wild places charity the John Muir Trust has relaunched its popular John Muir Award – revamped and updated in time to encourage young people to put down their devices and get out enjoying the wonders of wild places this spring and summer.
The John Muir Trust is the UK charity dedicated to the protection of wild places and the Award is a key aspect of its work; engaging people in learning about the importance of wild places and how to protect them.
David Balharry, CEO of the John Muir Trust said: “More than half a million people have achieved a John Muir Award since it first began. Its learner-led approach provides an inclusive way of encouraging everyone to learn about the benefits of wild places. The Award sets the bar for accessible conservation learning and is a lynchpin in the academic year for schools, outdoor centres and a host of other providers across the UK.”
The John Muir Award was first launched 27 years ago and is hugely respected for providing inclusive, learner-led, outdoor, education experiences. Having been paused for around nine months to allow the team to focus on its re-design, the Award is now more sustainable, while retaining its ethos of inclusivity and all the principles and activities which make it so popular.
As part of the updating process, the John Muir Trust team consulted extensively, engaging with the more than 1,200 organisations that have historically delivered the Award to participants. Many fresh ideas emerged, including how to make the Award more efficient to run – and sustainable for many years ahead.
John Muir Trust visitor centre in Pitlochry
The Award operates in wild places all over the UK and its principles are just as relevant for smaller, wild spaces in more urban areas as for remote landscapes, because conservation and the protection of wild places are at its core.
It is also well known for its inclusive element. Most participants complete their Award as part of an organised group with a leader from organisations including schools, community groups, and outdoor learning centres. The Award can be completed in a self-guided capacity by families and individuals. There’s no upper age limit and adults are encouraged to get involved too.
The John Muir Award encourages everyone to get outside, discover and enjoy the wild places on their doorstep and beyond.
More info at johnmuirtrust.org/award