Alexander Mustard 2020VISION / Children rockpooling
Education and learning
At Dorset Wildlife Trust, we believe the best way for children and young people to connect with nature is by experiencing it first-hand. Through hands-on activities and outdoor adventures, we open the door to the wonders of Dorset’s wild spaces and inspire a lifelong love for the natural world.
Our education sessions not only spark curiosity and appreciation for wildlife, but also help young people understand the urgent challenges facing our environment today. By exploring ecosystems and biodiversity up close, they gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to take meaningful action and become passionate advocates for wildlife conservation and a sustainable future.
Bring your school to one of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s outstanding education centres and discover unique opportunities to learn and explore in Dorset’s incredible natural landscapes. You may even be entitled to funding for transport costs. Contact us today to book your school visit.
We believe all children and young people should have the opportunity to explore and learn about the natural world, both in their local environment and in their everyday lives.Dorset Wildlife Trust Centres Education Officer
The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre
The Wild Chesil Centre is the gateway to the iconic Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon and is the perfect place to find out about Chesil's diverse wildlife. The Wild Chesil Centre offers year-round sessions which reflect the seasons and wildlife found on the nature reserve including Marine Scavengers, Seashore Detectives and Our Changing Seas. The activities take place both on the beach and in our dedicated indoor education room and can be tailored to meet the needs of your group. The centre has a range of interactive displays and a marine touch table where you can learn more about Chesil's wildlife and remarkable geology. There are toilets and handwashing facilities on site. The whole centre is wheelchair accessible, and the boardwalk is suitable for wheelchairs, however this does not extend over the beach.
View our Schools Go Wild brochure to find out more about the amazing activities we offer or get in contact with us to find out more.
Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre
Sat in the heart of 75 hectares of nature reserve, Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre is surrounded by meadows, grassland and woodlands, offering children a wonderful environment to explore and learn about nature. Near Weymouth, Lorton Meadows offers a great variety of activities for schools, preschools and groups including pond dipping, minibeast hunting, meadow walks and owl pellet dissection. The centre features different displays on the nature reserve and its wildlife, and a touch table containing items found on the reserve, alongside other learning activities. There is also an outdoor barn which is the perfect place for educational sessions, as well as toilets and handwashing facilities on site.
Please contact Education@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk to find out more and book your visit.
Dan Bartlett / Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre
Kingcombe Visitor Centre
Kingcombe Visitor Centre is the gateway to the stunning Kingcombe National Nature Reserve, which offers 450 acres of flower-rich grassland, ancient hedgerows and rough pastures. Around the visitor centre there is an orchard, wildlife garden, pond, bird hide and boardwalk to the river Hooke. Near Dorchester, Kingcombe Visitor Centre offers a great variety of activities for schools, preschools and groups including river dipping, minibeast hunting, meadow walks and wildlife identification around the centre and surrounding nature reserve. There is an education classroom, which can be used for indoor sessions and a lunch space, along with toilets and handwashing facilities. The visitor centre and education classroom are wheelchair accessible.
Please view our Schools Go Wild brochure to find out more about the amazing activities we offer or contact Education@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk to find out more.
Kingcombe Visitor Centre / Hazel Ormrod
The Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre at Kimmeridge Bay
The Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre sits next to the water in Kimmeridge Bay and is the ideal place to discover local marine wildlife. The centre has a dedicated education room, interactive displays, and aquaria. A visit to the Wild Seas centre is the perfect way to understand the importance of different coastal habitats by investigating the rich strandline and discovering the different species which call this area home. A double low tide offers an extended period to explore the intertidal zone and allows students to explore these unique habitats safely.
As these activities are tidal dependent, please contact Education@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk to discuss your requirements and find out the most suitable time for your visit.
Shay Darcy / The Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre
To find out more, or to book an activity for your school or group, please email: Education@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Or you can call The Wild Chesil Centre on: 01305 206191
Transport Funding Opportunity
Dorset Wildlife Trust is pleased to have the support from the Mansel-Pleydell Trust to assist Dorset schools with their transport costs to our education centres.
The Mansel-Pleydell, Cecil and Drew Trust, is looking to support and encourage educational projects and activities in Dorset schools to help young people study Dorset's geology, paleontology, natural history, archaeology, architecture, local history, arts and literature.
The Trust would be pleased to support and enable access to groups, for example, making field trips, attending workshops, visiting museums, looking at historic sites and buildings, exploring farms and the coast.
Please contact us to find out more about this funding opportunity.
