Countryside management

Hands-on courses on habitat management, wildlife and conservation

These courses are primarily held at our Merrist Wood College. It has a 400-acre outdoor classroom perfect for studying wildlife and conservation, with woodlands, wetlands and grasslands, and a fully functioning farm with rare breed sheep and cows, pigs, goats, llamas, chicken and ducks.

Our courses are run by professional staff who are passionate about conservation, and have strong links with local organisations such as the Surrey Wildlife Trust. You will learn a wide range of wildlife and conservation skills and will be trained in the safe use of machinery in our specialist workshops. You will also have the opportunity to get involved in estate management, the annual lambing season and traditional greenwood crafts such as charcoal burning and coppicing.

Many of our former students have moved on to work for local and national organisations such as the National Trust, Surrey Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust. There really is no better place to study Wildlife and Conservation than at Merrist Wood College!