Teaching Natural History

Whether you lead identification workshops, ecology surveys, or natural history field courses, this practical training will help you become a more confident and effective educator. Teaching Natural History is designed specifically for naturalists and ecologists who teach adults in both classroom and field settings.

Across a series of engaging sessions, we’ll explore how to design and deliver inspiring learning experiences that deepen understanding and foster enthusiasm for the natural world.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a toolkit of techniques and resources to plan, deliver, and evaluate effective teaching in natural history and ecology.

What will be covered during this course?

• Learning Objectives: How to define clear, achievable outcomes for your learners.
• Understanding Your Learners: Tailoring your approach to diverse backgrounds, motivations, and prior knowledge.
• Learning and Teaching Styles: Varying teaching methods to cater for learners that respond to different styles.
• Presentations: Structuring and delivering talks that inform, inspire, and hold attention.
• Field Activities: Designing outdoor experiences that build skills and confidence.
• Classroom Activities: Interactive approaches that bring natural history concepts to life indoors.
• Handouts and Resources: Creating materials that reinforce learning and support independent study.

This course is aimed at anyone leading nature walks, running recording events or delivering natural history training. We welcome those who have not yet led group activities, but are hoping to do so in the future.

Biological Recording Specialist: Keiron Derek Brown

Keiron Derek Brown is a dedicated advocate for biological recording and invertebrate education. Since 2014, he has led the National Earthworm Recording Scheme, delivering over 100 training courses and events to inspire and equip wildlife enthusiasts. As the developer and manager of the BioLinks project for the Field Studies Council, Keiron spearheaded the delivery of more than 200 in-person and virtual training sessions, supporting both new and experienced invertebrate recorders. Keiron’s expertise extends to his role on the advisory council for the National Forum for Biological Recording. In 2023, he founded the Biological Recording Company to further promote and support biological recording initiatives.

Fees and refund policy

Non-professional Course Ticket (Free): Select this option if you are a non-professional (e.g. amateur naturalist, local group volunteer, undergraduate student or biological recorder). Tickets subsidised by Barnet Council .

Professional Course Ticket (£50): Select this option if you are a professional (e.g. ecologist, graduate student, researcher or are attending in relation to your vocation).

Ticket fees include an administrative fee of 20% that is non-refundable. This consists of approximately 10% for Eventbrite fees and 10% for time spent by the Biological Recording Company processing the order.

Further cancellation charges will also be incurred for the following:

• 20% admin fee + 10% cancellation fee for cancellations made over 90 days in advance of the date of the course.
• 20% admin fee + 30% cancellation fee for cancellations made within between 30 and 90 days of the date of the course.
• 20% admin fee + 80% cancellation fee for cancellations made within 30 days of the date of the course.

Barnet Environment Centre

The Barnet Environment Centre is a nature reserve and environmental education facility that provides activities, courses, and events for schools and the local community. Run by volunteer trustees, its activities include curriculum-linked learning, children's activities, and community events on a 7.5-acre site located in High Barnet.

Information about how to get there can be found on the Barnet Environment Centre website: https://www.fobec.org.uk/Location/

This event is being run as a collaboration between the Biological Recording Company and Barnet Council.