Students at a South Cumbrian college are among the first in the UK to achieve a newly relaunched environmental award.
Younggsters from Beaumont College South Lakes, in Ulverston, achieved the John Muir Award at its new Wild Places Guardian level.
The specialist college, part of Salutem Care and Education, has also been recognised as an official provider of the award.
Beaumont College South Lakes supports young people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs as they transition from special education into adulthood.
The college incorporated the programme into its curriculum to help students build confidence, independence and practical life skills while developing a deeper connection with nature.
The John Muir Award, delivered by the John Muir Trust, encourages people to discover, enjoy and care for wild places.
To achieve the Wild Places Guardian award, participants must complete a minimum of 25 hours of activities based around four key themes: discovering, exploring, conserving and sharing experiences of the natural environment.
Over the past year, students completed an environmental and community-based programme across Cumbria.
Projects included transforming the Green Heart Den community garden in Barrow with new flowers and bird feeders, sailing on Windermere, visiting the Lakes Aquarium to learn about freshwater habitats, undertaking bracken management at Brantwood House in Coniston, and supporting horticulture and mural painting projects at the Phone-free Allotment in Ulverston.
Students also took part in individual work placements at the allotment and aquarium, explored seasonal changes through regular visits to Grizedale Forest and Ford Park, practised mindfulness through environmental art in natural settings, walked woodland, coastal and hillside routes, attended Forest School sessions at Rookhow, and carried out litter-picking projects within their local community.
College staff also achieved the award themselves to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in supporting students to engage safely with the natural world.
John Godden, chief executive of Salutem Care and Education, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for both our students and colleagues at Beaumont College South Lakes.
“The John Muir Award perfectly reflects our philosophy of helping people build confidence, independence and life skills through meaningful experiences.
“By spending time in nature, taking responsibility for conservation projects and engaging with their local communities, our students have not only developed new practical skills but also strengthened their wellbeing, resilience and self-belief.
“Becoming a recognised provider of the John Muir Award is a significant milestone for the college and demonstrates the high quality of opportunities our teams create to prepare young people for fulfilling, independent adult lives. We are incredibly proud of everyone involved.”
