Mount Kelly Nature Education Conference | 19 March 2027
Location
About
Uniting Education, Nature and Natural History for the Next Generation | Friday 19 March 2027 | Mount Kelly, Tavistock, Devon.
The Nature Education Conference is the UK’s first large-scale gathering dedicated to placing Nature Connection at the heart of education.
This one-day event will bring together school leaders, senior decision makers, policymakers, conservation organisations, researchers and innovators to explore how teaching and learning can be transformed through a deeper connection with the natural world.
Our ambition is simple: to shape a future where Nature and natural history are not extras, but essentials - central to how we educate, inspire and prepare young people for life.
Delegates will not only hear from the UK’s leading voices but will also leave with a digital implementation pack - practical resources, contacts, and learning materials — to take back into their schools and communities.
OUR AIMS
- Build a national conversation on the role of Nature Connection in education
- Explore how curriculum, policy and practice can evolve together
- Share innovations and real-world examples from the UK and overseas
- Highlight research on the benefits of Nature for learning, wellbeing and community
- Inspire practical, immediate steps that schools and organisations can implement
WHERE
The conference will be held at Mount Kelly in Tavistock, Devon, a stunning location on the edge of Dartmoor.
Mount Kelly has embedded Nature into its curriculum through a wide range of classroom and outdoor activities. Progress is being measured through the University of Derby’s respected Nature Connection Index, which has already shown clear, positive results.
This pioneering work has been made possible by the generous support of Their Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford. Building on this foundation, Mount Kelly is now working with the Oxford Education Deanery Sustainability team, focusing on the impact of Nature Connectedness on attendance rates and behaviour.
This groundbreaking work provides the starting point for the conference: a chance to explore what is already possible, and to inspire others to adapt and apply these approaches – whether in classrooms, through outdoor learning, or through the development of new qualifications such as the Natural History GCSE.
THEMES
- The future of education, Nature, and natural history in the UK
- Research on Nature Connection and learning outcomes
- Innovative school and community programmes
- The development of new qualifications, including the Natural History GCSE
- Cross-sector contributions
- Skills for life: fieldwork and first-hand natural history learning
- Technology’s role in connecting young people with the natural world
- Careers in Nature and beyond — from conservation to finance, media and the arts
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
- Lizzie Daly – wildlife biologist, broadcaster, filmmaker, and conservationist
Lizzie Daly is an award-winning wildlife biologist, presenter and explorer who is passionate about connecting people with nature through storytelling, conservation and adventure. Lizzie will open the conference with a keynote address exploring the importance of inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders.
WORKSHOPS
Delegates will have the opportunity to choose from a range of practical workshop sessions led by experts from education, conservation,
research and industry.
Current contributors include:
- Coombeshead Rewilding
- Ministry of Eco Education
- OCR Natural History GCSE
- Environment Bank
- Thomas Franks
- Royal Society (Dr Nicola Quick)
Additional workshop leaders and organisations to be announced
TICKETS:
- Super Early Bird Tickets £120.00* (until 30 Nov 2026)
- Early Bird Tickets £150.00* (1 Dec to 2026 to 31 Jan 2027)
- Standard Tickets £225.00* (From 1 Feb 2027)
The Nature Education Conference is the UK’s first large-scale gathering dedicated to placing Nature Connection at the heart of education.
This one-day event will bring together school leaders, senior decision makers, policymakers, conservation organisations, researchers and innovators to explore how teaching and learning can be transformed through a deeper connection with the natural world.
Our ambition is simple: to shape a future where Nature and natural history are not extras, but essentials - central to how we educate, inspire and prepare young people for life.
Delegates will not only hear from the UK’s leading voices but will also leave with a digital implementation pack - practical resources, contacts, and learning materials — to take back into their schools and communities.
OUR AIMS
- Build a national conversation on the role of Nature Connection in education
- Explore how curriculum, policy and practice can evolve together
- Share innovations and real-world examples from the UK and overseas
- Highlight research on the benefits of Nature for learning, wellbeing and community
- Inspire practical, immediate steps that schools and organisations can implement
WHERE
The conference will be held at Mount Kelly in Tavistock, Devon, a stunning location on the edge of Dartmoor.
Mount Kelly has embedded Nature into its curriculum through a wide range of classroom and outdoor activities. Progress is being measured through the University of Derby’s respected Nature Connection Index, which has already shown clear, positive results.
This pioneering work has been made possible by the generous support of Their Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford. Building on this foundation, Mount Kelly is now working with the Oxford Education Deanery Sustainability team, focusing on the impact of Nature Connectedness on attendance rates and behaviour.
This groundbreaking work provides the starting point for the conference: a chance to explore what is already possible, and to inspire others to adapt and apply these approaches – whether in classrooms, through outdoor learning, or through the development of new qualifications such as the Natural History GCSE.
THEMES
- The future of education, Nature, and natural history in the UK
- Research on Nature Connection and learning outcomes
- Innovative school and community programmes
- The development of new qualifications, including the Natural History GCSE
- Cross-sector contributions
- Skills for life: fieldwork and first-hand natural history learning
- Technology’s role in connecting young people with the natural world
- Careers in Nature and beyond — from conservation to finance, media and the arts
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
- Lizzie Daly – wildlife biologist, broadcaster, filmmaker, and conservationist
Lizzie Daly is an award-winning wildlife biologist, presenter and explorer who is passionate about connecting people with nature through storytelling, conservation and adventure. Lizzie will open the conference with a keynote address exploring the importance of inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders.
WORKSHOPS
Delegates will have the opportunity to choose from a range of practical workshop sessions led by experts from education, conservation,
research and industry.
Current contributors include:
- Coombeshead Rewilding
- Ministry of Eco Education
- OCR Natural History GCSE
- Environment Bank
- Thomas Franks
- Royal Society (Dr Nicola Quick)
Additional workshop leaders and organisations to be announced
TICKETS:
- Super Early Bird Tickets £120.00* (until 30 Nov 2026)
- Early Bird Tickets £150.00* (1 Dec to 2026 to 31 Jan 2027)
- Standard Tickets £225.00* (From 1 Feb 2027)
*Plus booking fees
