Think green with the WEA

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

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What Environmental and Gardening topics are available? 

As our understanding of the natural world has changed over many decades, the popularity of our environment and gardening 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.

And if you have a green thumb, our gardening courses will teach you how to cultivate and care for plants, promoting sustainable practices at home. You'll learn everything from basic plant care to windowsill planting techniques.

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 or Gardening 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 atmosphere

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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Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: Toxic free living

Join our 6 week Toxin-Free Living Course designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills to create your own natural household products. Each week, we’ll explore essential topics, from understanding harmful ingredients to crafting DIY solutions. You’ll learn about essential oils, and household cleaning items, while engaging in hands-on activities to make your own products. By the end of the course, you’ll have a personalized toxin-free living plan, equipping you to lead a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. Embrace the journey to wellness and discover the joy of creating safe, effective alternatives!
Dates:
Wed 09/04/2025 -
Wed 28/05/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lisa Richards
Course code:
Q00021199
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: Greener practices in the house 

This course greener practices in the house will deliver that there is an acceptance that anyone can make changes in their life to enjoy an environmentally friendly and healthier lifestyle whilst protecting the planet. Taking constructive action is something everyone can take part in, and it does not have to hurt your finances or your way of life. Living in a more food sustainable way can make your life more enjoyable, fulfilling, and environmentally suitable. It can also prepare you for climate change lifestyle transformations.
Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 22/04/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021331
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Permaculture Design Certificate

The permaculture design certificate (PDC) teaches you how to apply the permaculture design process, ethics, principles, techniques, and strategies to any situation, climate, regenerative land based project , community project , etc. On this course you will not only be taught these principles but you will given the opportunity to gain practical experience of designing projects based at Community Roots and out in the wider community.
Dates:
Mon 28/04/2025 -
Fri 16/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Community Roots (Porthtowan)
Mount Pleasant Eco Park
Chapel Hill
Porthtowan
TR4 8HL
Tutor:
Jodie Tellam
Course code:
Q00021145
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: Lets avoid waste in the home

This course on avoiding waste in the home will deliver that there is an acceptance that anyone can make changes in their life to enjoy an environmentally friendly and healthier lifestyle whilst protecting the planet. Taking constructive action is something everyone can take part in, and it does not have to hurt your finances or your way of life. Living in a more food sustainable way can make your life more enjoyable, fulfilling, and environmentally suitable. It can also prepare you for climate change lifestyle transformations.
Dates:
Mon 28/04/2025 -
Mon 28/04/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021332
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: Greener DIY practices 

This course on greener DIY practices in the home will deliver that there is an acceptance that anyone can make changes in their life to enjoy an environmentally friendly and healthier lifestyle whilst protecting the planet. Taking constructive action is something everyone can take part in, and it does not have to hurt your finances or your way of life. Living in a more food sustainable way can make your life more enjoyable, fulfilling, and environmentally suitable. It can also prepare you for climate change lifestyle transformations.
Dates:
Tue 29/04/2025 -
Tue 29/04/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021333
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Care 2: Health Wellbeing and the Environment

This course if for carers, those who have cared, and the card for. We will be looking at the connections between personal health, lifestyle, and the environment.
Dates:
Tue 06/05/2025 -
Tue 06/05/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021814
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Care 2: Greener Practices in the Garden

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. Whatever the size of your garden is, it is your own bit of the planet and how you treat it should reflect your care for the environment and be able to meet the environmental changes from climate change. This lesson looks at how you can make your garden, your own patch of earth a refuge for yourself and nature, thereby making the world a greener place and not another artificial environment.
Dates:
Tue 13/05/2025 -
Tue 13/05/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021812
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Care 2: Greener Practices in the House

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. When the front door is closed, we all think we are safe from the problems of pollution and climate change outside. However, some of the individual choices we make in our home can affect us and wider global environmental problems. This course looks at how we can make better choices and reduce the impact on our health and the environment
Dates:
Tue 20/05/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021811
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Care 2: Greener Practices - Lets Avoid Waste in the House

This course is for carers, those who have cared, and the cared for. With the emphasis on recycling, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that the best way of dealing with waste is not to produce it in the first place. This lesson suggests ways to avoid waste in the home and improve your environmental footprint.
Dates:
Tue 27/05/2025 -
Tue 27/05/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021813
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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 , community or commercial setting.
Dates:
Mon 09/06/2025 -
Fri 27/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Community Roots (Porthtowan)
Mount Pleasant Eco Park
Chapel Hill
Porthtowan
TR4 8HL
Tutor:
Jodie Tellam
Course code:
Q00020568
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00