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The East Devon District Council Countryside Team offers hands-on, sensory, and practical outdoor learning experiences for primary and secondary school classes, preschools, home education groups, and youth and community groups.

Our experienced Education Ranger works with groups to deliver a wide range of ecology and outdoor learning activities tailored to your objectives.

We deliver sessions on green and blue spaces across the region including our nature reserves, beaches and school grounds.

Most visits take place at Seaton Wetlands Local Nature Reserve, which features easy-access surfaced footpaths, toilets, and a classroom exclusively for group use. The site also boasts a pond with a dipping platform, a stream, and a meadow—ideal for habitat studies and wildlife exploration.

Read testimonials from schools and other outdoor groups .

Activities include:

  • Habitat studies (all ages): Pond dipping, mini beast hunting, habitat trails, and wildlife-themed games and activities.
  • Seasonal wildlife exploration (EYFS, KS1, KS2): Wildlife discovery, games, and activities linked to the seasons or topics such as nocturnal animals and endangered species. 
  • Rivers day (KS2): Hands-on investigations on Stafford Brook at Seaton Wetlands, including flow rate measurement, meander profiling, and stream dipping.
  • Rock pooling (KS1, KS2): Rock pooling and beach wildlife sensory activities.
  • Maps, trails, and orienteering (KS1, KS2).
  • Art and craft activities (KS1, KS2): Creating nature-inspired projects using natural materials.
  • Story-themed adventures (EYFS, KS1): From pirate quests to bear hunts, Gruffalo trails, and fairy-tale challenges, our Education Ranger will design an immersive outdoor session tailored to your topic or story.
  • An introduction to ecology (KS3): Explore different habitats and examine the importance of nature reserves as biodiversity strongholds. Take part in practical surveying techniques.
  • GCSE biology fieldwork (KS3, KS4): Conduct population investigations using quadrats and transects.

Elements from different sessions can be combined within a day to best meet your learning objectives.

Pricing:

We currently have funding available for a limited number of groups per year to visit Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve and Offwell Woods free of charge.

Visits to other sites are charged at:

  • £175 per full day
  • £100 per half day (up to 3 hours)
  • £50 for uniformed group evening visits

Please contact the team to discuss your requirements: wild@eastdevon.gov.uk