Your Award

The “Award” in DNA refers to achievement through participation. It’s not a prize or competition, it’s recognition for completing our two-day programme where participants step out of their comfort zone, try new experiences in nature, and make a meaningful commitment to learning and action.

Everyone who completes the award becomes a DNA graduate and receives a DNA graduate sow on patch. They can also download an online certificate if they want to showcase their achievement.

Being non-accredited allows us to tailor the two days to each group while still following a standardised syllabus covering all four strands of DNA: knowledge, connection, community, and action. It gives participants a concrete, achievable experience that they can be proud of.

Anyone aged 18–28 who wants to find their place and develop the four strands of the Discover Nature Award: Knowledge, Connection, Community, and Action can sign up.

No previous outdoor experience or high fitness level is required. The Award is designed by and for people who have neither, with activities at an introductory level. It’s a great place to push your limits a wee bit in a safe, supportive environment.

No specialist gear is needed. We can lend you anything you need, and you’ll even receive some freebies to keep discovering nature afterwards. The only thing we can’t lend is shoes or boots, so you might get wet feet—a great learning experience in itself. Once you sign up, we’ll send over a suggested kit list, but we don’t have an exhaustive list, as this could stop people who would benefit from the DNA from joining.

No prior knowledge of ecology or climate change is needed. If you do have experience, that’s great, you can share your knowledge and discover new places. If not, that’s great too: we start with the basics and build up. The Award is designed for people who want to find their place and co‑designed to support those with no prior knowledge. The end result is the same, our DNA graduates have a solid foundation for taking climate action in the future.

It’s normal to come alone. Some people quickly make friends, while others prefer to focus on connecting with nature, everyone is different, and that’s a strength, reflecting the diversity of nature. Our staff support all participants, and DNA graduates often return as friendly faces. Completing the Award also gives access to our “Next Steps” community, full of people with shared experiences and the same mindset.

Day 1 is led by an experienced staff member, and on Day 2 a site-specific expert joins to bring the nature restoration site to life. Our staff member also manages transport for Day 2. We often have DNA graduates return as volunteers to help others find their place. All our staff are friendly, fun, and qualified to support participants in connecting with nature. Details and an image of your DNA staff member will be shared after you sign up to your Award.

The Discover Nature Award is free at the point of contact for participants, this is non‑negotiable. It provides young adults with an invaluable journey in nature and climate action. This is only possible thanks to funding, partnerships, and support from a range of organisations. Visit our “Our Supporters” page to find out more.

The Award focuses on 18–28 year old’s because it was co‑designed with our original steering group to address a critical gap. Studies show young adults are more disconnected from nature than ever, yet they will inherit and lead on the climate emergency, the biggest challenge we face. By focusing on this “forgotten middle,” the Award helps adults in the first decade of adulthood find their place in nature and action.

The overall goal of the Discover Nature Award is to help young adults develop the four strands: Knowledge, Connection, Community, and Action. Through engagement with nature and climate issues. The Award provides an introduction to environmental challenges and supports participants in connecting local experiences with wilder places, helping them understand and take part in wider climate action.

It also aims to create new pathways into the environmental sector, which is currently the second least diverse in Great Britain, supporting a just transition. We aim for 50% of participants to be female and 50% to come from underrepresented groups in the sector, including LGBTQIA+, ethnic minority groups (as defined by Scottish Government), those in the lowest SIMD quintile, or people who consider themselves to have a disability.

The DNA is a succinct journey designed to help you gain our four strands. There is no overnight element, you go home between the days.

• Day 1 – Discover Day: Held in a local greenspace, starting at 10am and finishing around 4pm. Please arrive on time so we can make the most of the day.

• Day 2 – Nature Day: A longer day, meeting at 8am at a central pickup point before travelling to our wild rewilding sites. Activities run from around 10:30am to 4pm, with travel home taking roughly 2 hours, aiming for a 6pm drop-off (traffic and conditions may affect this).

Both days require punctual arrival at set meeting points. More detailed information is shared once you sign up.

It’s a long but rewarding two days please ensure you can attend both days in full so you don’t take the place of someone else who can complete the Award.