Gateway to Careers: Nature Networks 2026

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the world of Nature Recovery & Rewilding! Whether you're a seasoned nature enthusiast or just beginning to explore your passion for the environment, Gateway to Careers: Nature Networks offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, connect with industry professionals, and develop essential skills for a career in this fast-growing sector. Regardless of degree pathway, your experience is highly valued, and transferrable skills are very welcomed.  

This June, expect two back-to-back weekends of overnight field course sessions to support your skill and network development. This immersive programme blends practical fieldwork with expert-led discussions, giving you the tools and confidence to step into a future where you can make a real impact. Ready to take the next step? Keep reading to discover what this incredible experience has in store for you! 

What is the Gateway to Careers: Nature Networks programme? 

If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and contributing towards a positive change in society, then look no further than careers in Nature Recovery. With a wide range of roles available, from copywriting to financial management to science communication, applicants can confidently demonstrate their curiosity about nature and experience in the sector by taking part in these linked field-courses.  

The sector is expanding rapidly, in fact, in 2021 the charity Rewilding Britain revealed a 47% increase in full-time equivalent jobs over recent years and the skillset developed can be both broad and specialized depending on the role. Transferrable and specific skills that you will develop on this course are: 

• Communication / Leadership 

• Practical experience of engaging with wildlife  

• Teamwork / Time management / Self-study  

• Curiosity, commitment and seeding innovation 

Check out the Ambios website for more information about the host organisation. 

The Programme outline 

Residential Field Course  

A four-day residential at Lower Sharpham Farm (Totnes, Devon) will take place over two weekends:  

• Saturday 6th June – Sunday 7th June 2026 

• Saturday 13th June – Sunday 14th June 2026 

 Ambios will welcome you to the stunning Lower Sharpham Farm (Totnes) campsite where you’ll instantly see the beautiful landscape across which you’ll be working.  In the unlikely event the weather proves challenging, there is an opportunity to sleep on hay bales in the barn which in the past some students have found equally comfortable.   

These weekend camping residentials will give you time to explore how to use and operate wildlife camera traps. Being on-site also gives the opportunity to hear and see a variety of wildlife including options to use bat detectors and see the results of live moth trapping.   

 You’ll also hear from UoExeter Alumni and employers about their journeys into employment which is facilitated through the Employer Café, a structured networking event where students will rotate between tables to discuss career paths with different employers and alumni. Informal networking opportunities will also be available over shared meals and campfire discussions.  

Please see below for the indicative timetable but please be aware activities may change between now and the programme. 

What to Bring for the Residential- kit list  

Please bring: 

• A suitable tent, sleeping mat and bag. 

• Walking boots or wellies and a water bottle. 

• For the second weekend – a laptop with an SD-card reader to see what the camera traps have caught!

• Suitable clothing for the predicted weather conditions (expect evening animal watch activities to be colder than the daytime, so please bring an extra jumper!).   

Travel to and from the residentials: 

We encourage you to travel to Totnes using public transport and there are frequent trains from both Penryn and Exeter. On Saturday,you will need to arrive to Totnes station between 10:00 and 10:40am and a minibus will be available to take you directly to Sharpham farm from the station. On the Sunday, you will be dropped back to the station at approximately 14:00. Please see below for an example of train times: 

Penryn: 

Saturday: 07:28 departure from Penryn, arriving 09:40 at Totnes 

             OR: 08:28 departure from Penryn, arriving 10:40 at Totnes 

Sunday: 14:44 departure from Totnes, arriving 17:13 at Penryn 

A return ticket is approximately £25 with a 16-25 railcard 

Exeter: 

Saturday: 09:27 departure from Exeter St. Davids, arriving 10:05 at Totnes 

             OR: 09:49 departure from Exeter St. Davids, arriving 10:20 at Totnes 

Sunday: 14:16 departure from Totnes, arriving 14:54 at Exeter St. Davids 

A return ticket is approximately £12 with a 16-25 railcard 

If you are unable to travel by train, you can travel by car direct to the farm (What3Words: ///acids.fond.alarm) 

Benefits and Outcome:   

• Intensive skill focus and brokered networking opportunities see increased employability     

• Practice transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, project management and diplomacy   

• Q&A panels with University of Exeter Alumni who have jobs in the nature sector    

• Animal night surveys and foraging expedition included in residential   

• Access to the Ambios network of European non-governmental organisations, research institutes and University departments    

Please note that you must be able to attend both weekends in order to complete this programme.  

Eligibility  

We welcome applications from Undergraduate and Postgraduate taught students across all campuses and faculties. No prior subject knowledge is required, but you must:  

• Be enrolled as a student at the time of the residential  

• Not be on a placement year or study abroad  

• Arrange your own travel between Lower Sharpham Farm and back. 

• We are particularly welcoming applications from students who meet one or more of the Widening Participation criteria. These will be prioritised. However, if you do not meet these you are still welcome to apply and will be accepted dependant on places.   

Cost  

The cost of the residential (including meals) will be paid for by the University of Exeter.  For students who meet the widening participation criteria, there will be a £50 travel bursary available for you to help with travel costs.  

Further Information 

If you have any further questions, please contact the team at global-leaders@exeter.ac.uk.