Nature Conservation Training Course – the details

The Sharpham Estate is an 18th century parkland landscape, stretching along the River Dart just outside of Totnes in beautiful South Devon. This 550-acre historic estate is managed by The Sharpham Trust, an educational charity established in the early 1980s by Maurice and Ruth Ash. The Trust’s ethos is a “desire to build a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally-sustainable world.”

Ambios are tenants of the Sharpham Estate, running Lower Sharpham Farm – an 80 acre organic beef and sheep farm managed for wildlife and biodiversity. This is where our UK training is based.

The Sharpham Trust has been awarded £177,400 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to make more space for wildlife and take action for nature. The project, called Wild For People, will enhance the biodiversity of the Sharpham estate. Ambios are a delivery partner in this project and we are running the training and volunteering opportunities.

How much vocabulary support will I get?

There is dedicated time during the training course to introduce you to nature conservation and land management vocabulary. The whole of the training will be delivered in English, so you will be hearing and speaking the language everyday, and interacting with native speakers – which is a fantastic way to improve your language skills and boost your confidence. We also recognise that people feel different degrees of confidence with the language, and ensure that they receive as much support as possible.

Totnes is a 45 minute walk away, though someone from the farm will often be driving that way, so there is regular transport to and from town – 10 minute drive.

The walk is picturesque, traffic-free and safe (but there are a couple of quite steep hills to walk up and down!) We have a few bikes to loan out, too, to speed up the trip.
In Totnes you’ll find nice cafes, pubs and restaurants; independent shops; a supermarket; and a rail station. There are also the usual health services such as doctors, dentists, chemists, opticians, and a small hospital.

Food is included in your fee and you’ll take it in turns with your fellow trainees to cook. The kitchen in your shared accommodation has the usual domestic appliances such as gas hob, electric oven, kettle and toaster.

Most of the food is organic, in season and we use as much as possible from the farm: eggs, garden produce, lamb, apple juice etc.

Special diets are catered for too (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free etc). Totnes has plenty of great health food shops that sell foods for special diets so it shouldn’t be a problem. But it is worth noting that you’ll be sharing a kitchen with other people who might be preparing meat, fish and allergens such as nuts and gluten.

Food provided will be sufficient for all key meals, but will not include items like alcohol, confectionary or expensive, out of season items.

We encourage everyone to respect each other’s individual food choices, whatever they may be, and to ensure you come with an open mind to food. You will sample dishes typical to many different cultures, with ingredients you may not have come across previously, or again. However during your time here it is important to be as open to learning about the domestic side of life, and about yourself as much as about the nature conservation subject.