Think green with the WEA

A key part of our curriculum, our Environment courses are always popular and give learners the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics.  

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What Environment topics are available? 

As our understanding of the natural world has changed over many decades, the popularity of our environment courses has continued to grow. Regarded as perhaps the biggest challenge the human race has ever encountered, climate change and its impact on the environment is just one of many topics that you can immerse yourself in, alongside your fellow learners.  

Whether it’s studying online or in person, the wide range of topics is sure to grab your interest. From the cleanliness of water and what can be done to alleviate droughts, to re-wilding and the British countryside, you’ll be immersed in topical issues that are impacting individuals across the UK and around the world.  

Join us and experience the unique way of learning here at the WEA, with small class sizes and experienced tutors providing the ideal place to discuss the challenges posed by our ever-changing environment.  

Attend an Environment course near you 

Delivered in person and online, it’s possible to explore environmental challenges without ever leaving your house. Whether you choose to learn online or in person at a community venue near you, you’ll benefit from small class sizes and a supportive environment where everyone who comes along is excited to learn.  

Learning in a supportive environment

Our tutors will support you on your learning journey, enhancing your experience and ensuring that you learn at a pace which suits your individual needs.  

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Gardening Practical: Basic Gardening

This course covers the basics of gardening, eg planning, preparing, choosing, sowing and harvesting crops with careful consideration of region, location, season and climate. It will teach people how to care for plants and how to use growing space effectively even in small areas. Students will learn gardening terminology and to appreciate the benefits of gardening including the impact on their wellbeing and mental health. Other aspects involve cost i.e. buying seeds etc (working to a budget), recycling material – i.e. how to make compost and Health and Safety when gardening i.e. use of tools correctly.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 25/04/2024 -
Thu 04/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Home To Work (Cleator Moor)
17 High Street
Cleator Moor
CA25 5AH
Tutor:
Joseph Crowe
Course code:
Q00013928
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £231.00

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: Essex Rock- Geology Beneath the Landscape

This geology-based course will centre on the dynamic processes involved in the creation of different rocks and how the planet constantly recycles these. We will discuss: the organic recycling interface of soil; human use of geology with examples in surrounding buildings, notably church walls which reveal local geology; the meaning of landscape in this dynamic scene.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 02/05/2024 -
Thu 16/05/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
St John the Baptist Church Meeting Room
55 Main Road
Danbury
CM3 4NG
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00014237
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £28.50

Gardening Practical: Caring for Plants and Trees 2

This welcoming and friendly three day course is open to all- beginners or improvers Another wonderful opportunity to spend time in nature exploring techniques for caring for plants and trees. The course is fortunate to be hosted at the award winning Bosavern Community Farm in St Just and delivered by an experienced and professional tutor. The course will explore the significant role of trees in regenerating ecologies and will explore practical techniques in growing food ecologically.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/05/2024 -
Tue 21/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Bosavern Community Farm (St Just)
St Just
St Just
TR19 7RD
Tutor:
Jodie Tellam
Course code:
Q00013515
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

Gardening Practical: Grow your own Food & Flowers

Do you enjoy the outdoors? Would you like to learn how to grow your own food and flowers? Join us in the community gardens and polytunnel at Easington Lane Community Access Point and learn how to tend and care for a flower or vegetable garden. Our tutor will guide you through the basic steps of planting. Whether you want to support your local community by growing crops to share or learn how to grow food for your own family (on a windowsill or garden), this hands-on course is a great place to start.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/05/2024 -
Tue 25/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Easington Lane Community Access Point
Easington Lane
Houghton - le- Spring
DH5 0LE
Tutor:
Jayne Clark
Course code:
Q00015393
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Personal Development: A Peek at the Peak District

During this single session the tutor will offer an overview of the area of England that we know as the Peak District. After a short introduction to the geology we will gain an understanding of the landscape contrasts between the White Peak and the Dark Peak. This leads naturally to a consideration of the flora, fauna and cultural history of Britain’s first national park. By the end of this session you will be able to summarise main geological and historical features of the Peak District National Park. This class will take place in a fun, friendly and supportive online environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/05/2024 -
Wed 08/05/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alastair Clark
Course code:
Q00014147
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Gardening Practical: Spring Time Organic Gardening Toolkit

An uplifting opportunity to work with natures seasons and reap the benefits of spending time in the great out of doors doing something meaningful and fun! These course will give you the opportunity to gain practical experience in organic food growing and regenerative farming Delivered by our experienced tutor, and hosted at the inspiring Bosavern Community Farm , this course is sure to empower and inspire Suitable for beginner and improvers, and all are welcome to join all three ‘Spring and Summer Toolkits’ courses or just choose some of them.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/05/2024 -
Thu 16/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Bosavern Community Farm (St Just)
St Just
St Just
TR19 7RD
Tutor:
Jodie Tellam
Course code:
Q00013516
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Gardening Practical: Care to Make a Summer Hanging Basket for the Changing Climate

Are you noticing the changes to our traditional British weather? Do the four seasons still exist in Britain? Climate change is leading to higher summer temperatures and for our gardens to survive, changes are needed, so we can all continue to enjoy the flowers and colours we are used to. Our gardens and our traditional hanging baskets are one of the things we can change without losing the beauty to suit the future climate. This one off session will look at plants for hanging baskets that may be more suitable in the changing climate; whilst still providing colour, contrast and enjoyment for the Summer season.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/05/2024 -
Tue 14/05/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Deborah Young
Course code:
Q00011616
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £5.55

Permaculture Design Certificate

Join us at Community Roots in Porthtowan, Cornwall for this accredited course in Permaculture Design. Delivered by our experienced Permaculture tutor this course will introduce to the key concepts of Permaculture design whilst undertaking practical design tasks with our partner Community Roots who run a community supported agriculture project on the scenic North cliffs in Cornwall. This bespoke course has been created with Community Roots to meet the needs of people who are wanting to introduce permaculture principles either at home, in the community or in a commercial setting.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/06/2024 -
Mon 24/06/2024
Times:
9:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Location:
Community Roots (Porthtowan)
Mount Pleasant Eco Park
Chapel Hill
Porthtowan
TR4 8HL
Tutor:
Jodie Tellam
Course code:
Q00013554
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Carbon Literacy

Carbon Literacy is a term used to describe an awareness of climate change, and the climate impacts of humankind’s everyday actions. This course is designed specifically for charities and social enterprises working in public leisure and culture, and gives you the knowledge and tools available to take impactful climate action.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 06/06/2024 -
Thu 13/06/2024
Times:
9:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00015271
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: Plants and People: Momentous Encounters

Plants have played a dynamic and pivotal role in our lives. Their cultivation has provided innumerable rewards as well as challenges; their properties contributed to our health; their character and classification has aroused curiosity and wonder; their collection called for skill and brought pride and delight. Over the course of three sessions with guest speaker Dr Sarah Law and through stories of notable encounters between people and plants as diverse as waterlilies, gingers, rhubarbs and nightshades, we will dip into this rich and diverse engagement, touching on Edwardian water gardens, nineteenth-century botanic gardens and the purgatives and plasters that once stocked British medicine chests.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 12/06/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00015006
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20