Spend 12 weeks with Ambios and leave with the skills you need for a career working for nature and its recovery.
Our autumn residential traineeship is based on 130 acres of wildlife-friendly farmland and rewilding on the Sharpham Estate in South Devon. Through this training, you will gain orientation in nature and develop the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to achieve your dream job.
This immersive training is embedded in Ambios’ pioneering nature recovery and rewilding work, helping you build a wealth of first-hand experience.
Ambios has been delivering training for over two decades. Our alumni have a successful track record of moving into jobs within the nature conservation sector in the UK.
Dates: 28th September 2026 – 18th December 2026
Timed to coincide with the autumn/winter season for the best access to practical land-based skills and learning.
Location:
Lower Sharpham Farm, Ashprington, Totnes. TQ9 7DX.
Cost: TBC
Inclusive of all food, accommodation, training, and field trips
This training acts as a launchpad for anybody seeking to be part of the emerging world of nature recovery in the UK, whether a young environmentalist, career changer or aspiring ranger we welcome applications from all.
The immersive experiences gained at Sharpham build knowledge, first-hand experience and confidence indispensable to anyone interested in working for the future welfare of the natural world.
Here among the stunning Sharpham Estate and right across the South Devon landscape, you’ll discover a rare chance to gain hands-on conservation experience through immersive, experiential learning.
Foundation knowledge of biodiversity, wildlife identification, ecology and nature recovery is progressively built through a core of presentations and workshops. This learning is put into action each week through hands-on training experiences including wildlife monitoring, practical land management and community projects, helping you to develop confidence in your new skills.
Visits to partner recovery sites with chances to network among the wider nature recovery community will enrich your understanding of the movement and your learning journey. Your vocational development will be personally supported throughout by our team.
Ambios are a team of professional scientists, land managers and nature conservation educators with a 30-year track record. We have a range of skills that will support your placement, train you and enhance your learning experience by working alongside you to share our knowledge.
The programme offers foundation knowledge, skills, and experience needed to work in the conservation sector but places a particular emphasis on emerging opportunities in nature recovery and meeting the demands of this new dimension of the environment sector.
Our immersive programme is rich and diverse. During the 12 weeks, you’ll cover a huge range of topics which include:
Presentations workshops & field experiences examining ecological principals, the current state of UK wildlife & different approaches to managing land for nature.
Applied sessions in woodland creation, tree planting, fencing, hedge laying, & livestock management, workshops in spoon-whittling, charcoal burning & stool making.
Developing key wildlife identification skills & understanding of the ecology of species/taxa including (plants, birds, bats & mammals), learning techniques for observing and recording wildlife on our rewilding site.
Exploring the importance of soils through soil sampling, earthworm surveys & fungi workshops.
Organic horticulture and growing, principles of regenerative farming & permaculture & wild food foraging.
We work with you individually to help you find your passions and achieve your goals – sessions developing key communication skills including how to deliver effective presentations & how be your best in a team environment.
Opportunities to visit partner rewilding sites & experience different landscapes in the surrounding areas of Devon & explore approaches to their management.
An important part of Ambios’s residential training is community life. You will be living and working alongside other trainees, staff, and volunteers throughout your time with us and the residential nature of the training is integral to the experience you’ll gain.
You’ll be based on our wildlife-friendly working farm and rewilding site on 130 acres of the Sharpham Estate. The site sits among the trees with spectacular views of the River Dart and the idyllic surrounding countryside.
You’ll be staying in our Bunkhouse, which has 12 single bedrooms and three bathrooms. Our new dayroom has a shared kitchen with a large, comfortable living area and wood burner. The accommodation is set within our working farm on 130 acres of the Sharpham Estate and sits among the trees with spectacular views of the River Dart and the idyllic surrounding countryside.
You will be encouraged to live sustainably, helping in our organic garden, assisting with farm tasks, and shared community life. Meals are prepared communally with all ingredients provided, using local, organic produce where possible, some directly from the farm.
You’ll be living with a motivated and enthusiastic small team of volunteers who help with the running of the farm and who also have personal experience and skills to share. Many trainees report a sense of renewal, inspiration & hope. Training with Ambios is more than just learning – this extended period away from day-to-day life allows clarity of mind and many find a new energy and confidence in their direction.
Complete the application form below & email farm@ambios.net to let us know you have applied.
We will be in touch with further details, answer your questions, and if we feel the traineeship is a good fit for you, we’ll offer you a place.
Secure your place by paying a £150 non-refundable deposit. We will confirm your place and send you all the pre-course information.
At the moment we are not able to provide bursaries. We are actively fundraising and hope to be able to provide them again in the near future.
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