Nature-based Awards

Awards Plus has been supporting Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participation at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and across all Sections for 25 years. A range of awards and qualifications focused on nature, adventure and outdoor skills are increasingly requested and delivered.

Opportunities, through guidance and direct delivery, include Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (including eDofE, Sections, Expeditions) John Muir Award, Heritage Hero Awards, Scottish Junior Forester Award, Junior Ranger Award, Saltire Award, Bikeability, Junior Award Scheme for Schools/JASS and others.

Skills-based awards include Ramblers Scotland’s Out There Award, Mountain Training schemes (such as Lowland Leader Award and Camping Leader), National Navigation Award Scheme, First Aid, Leave No Trace.

Youth awards can offer focus and motivation, positive engagement with education, and valuable recognition of achievement.

Nature-based awards create opportunities to spend time enjoying, learning about and caring for nature.
Benefits can include -

Hands-on, experiential and real-world learning experiences
Building valuable skills and knowledge – from practical capabilities such as navigation, wildlife ID and path maintenance to environmental awareness to transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving
Learning in, through, about and for nature – ‘Learning for Sustainability’. Spending time in wild places can inspire responses such as creativity, curiosity and connection
Awareness of climate and nature crises and opportunities to be a positive force for change, through conservation work, advocacy and adopting sustainable lifestyle choices.

The diverse mix of youth awards in Scotland invites connections and progressive opportunities. Different awards can be integrated and overlap. Pathways for learners can be mapped out to meet individual interest, skills and aspirations.

Achieving awards in, through, for and about nature

A collaborative resource from the John Muir Award and Awards Network helps practitioners navigate learner journeys and progression through nature-based national awards.

Nature-based Awards

Awards Plus has been supporting Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participation at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and across all Sections for 25 years. A range of awards and qualifications focused on nature, adventure and outdoor skills are increasingly requested and delivered.

Nature-based awards create opportunities to spend time enjoying, learning about and caring for nature. Benefits can include -

Achieving awards in, through, for and about nature

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Awards Plus

Nature-based awards create opportunities to spend time enjoying, learning about and caring for nature.
Benefits can include -