Countryside Education Trust
Established in 1975, The Countryside Education Trust’s mission is to connect people with the countryside. We introduce people to the wonders of the British countryside, rural life and farming.
Our expert teaching team tailors national curriculum-based modules to the needs of each school and we have great feedback from our visitors.
Visit www.cet.org.uk.
Countryside Education Trust YouCAN updates
YouCAN funded two new staff roles focusing on conservation and sustainable farming. Not only has this provided vital support to the existing team at CET, but it also enabled the new recruits, Alistair and Kristian, to build and enhance their skills and knowledge across the variety of work involved at the CET’s base in Beaulieu, which includes a working farm and education centre.
During their first year, Alistair – a former NPA apprentice ranger – has been developing a card game to support the delivery of sessions about animals and farming, while Kristian looked into ways to make wool felt using wool from the sheep on site.
A training programme was delivered for 16–19-year-olds providing them with experience in the climate and environment sector. Participants learnt about sustainable farming, practical conservation ecology, and environmental education and had opportunities to develop new skills in running volunteering sessions and delivering activities for local early years groups.
As of January 2025, CET had supported 11 interns across a range of specialisms including wading bird conservation, orchard management and creation of educational materials.
In December 2024, CET hosted seven interns at the same time all working on their projects and networking with each other. Two of these interns have since found paid work in the environmental sector and have written back to CET to say that it was the practical experience they gained through the YouCAN internship that helped them stand out in the application process.
One intern, Charlie joined CET following a recommendation from The Parks Foundation, having been on their Young Adult Ranger Work Experience Programme – another YouCAN project.
You can read Charlie’s story here.
The NPA caught up with Charlie learning about coppicing as part of his internship at CET. Watch below.
