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.  

Skip to courses

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.  

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please click on the Search options and enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Refine search

How you'll learn

Your location

Please enter your postcode or town for your search in the boxes below.

We have defaulted the search to ten miles, but you can change this number in the box as you wish.

Sort by start date

Choose to sort the course start date in ascending order (furthest away dates first) or descending (most recent dates first)

Results per page

Days

Other Filters

Part of day
Level of study
Availability
Search for the branch name/location, without adding branch e.g. Barnet

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 06/03/2025 -
Thu 13/03/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00015299
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: Fossils and Ancient Life

A hands on course using the tutor’s huge fossil collection. Find out about life on Earth over millions of years and learn how to identify these fossils and interpret how they lived.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 18/01/2025 -
Sat 18/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Cornerstone (Wokingham)
Norreys Avenue
Wokingham
RG40 1UE
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017592
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

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 16/01/2025 -
Thu 23/01/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00015297
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Gardening Practical: Plants and Trees

This practical course is to be run at the Parkstone Day Centre in Poole and is designed to empower adults with learning difficulties to develop their gardening skills and confidence in preparing and sowing seeds. The course will focus on providing a supportive and enjoyable environment, where participants can learn new skills, socialise, and take home their own seedlings. Who is this course for? This course is designed specifically for adults with learning difficulties who want to develop their gardening skills and confidence. No prior experience is necessary, as the course is tailored to meet the needs of each participant.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 26/03/2025
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Course code:
Q00017346
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £151.20

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

Gardening Practical: Spring Gardening at Parkstone

This course is for clients of Parkstone Connect Centre, and leads them on to the next steps of gardening. The course will continue learning and embedding skills involved in all aspects of gardening, so the skills learned can be applied to work within and outside the centre

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 26/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Ruth Odurand
Course code:
Q00011523
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £176.40

NCFE Certificate in Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness

This accredited qualification is suitable for those who are less knowledgeable or unsure of the worlds’ current environmental issues. It is devised to present learners with an introduction to the principles of climate change and environmental awareness. It will ensure learners understand the nature of climate change and the role they can play in helping to reduce waste, emissions, carbon footprints and improve sustainability. Through achieving the qualification, learners will gain the knowledge and understanding to act as drivers for positive environmental change and have a foothold in the emerging environmental sector.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
20 sessions
Location:
Liskeard Town Council (Liskeard)
3 West Street
Liskeard
PL14 6BW
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00017050
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£362.00

Carbon Literacy

To attend this partnership course, you will have to register via EVENTBRITE Carbon Literacy – November 2024 ticket at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carbon-literacy-november-2024-tickets-880716124637?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1 as well as via WEA. You will have to make a payment via EVENTBRITE and cannot proceed with the course if you have not done both. 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 14/11/2024 -
Thu 21/11/2024
Times:
9:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00015296
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: West Norfolk’s wonderful peatlands

We will start off by examining how the peatlands in west Norfolk have formed, the differences between different types of peatland habitat (fens and mires) and the wonderful wealth of species that they support, before considering the factors that have caused their degradation and loss and the restoration techniques that are returning them to their former glory. Suitable for both beginners and those with an existing knowledge of peatland conservation and restoration.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 19/10/2024 -
Sat 19/10/2024
Times:
10:30am - 5:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Friends Meeting House (King's Lynn)
38 Bridge Street
King's Lynn
PE30 5AB
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017665
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

Carbon Literacy - October 2024

To attend this partnership course, you will have to register via EVENTBRITE Carbon Literacy – October 2024 ticket at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carbon-literacy-october-2024-tickets-880713998277?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1 as well as via WEA. You will have to make a payment via EVENTBRITE and cannot proceed with the course if you have not done both. 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:
Wed 09/10/2024 -
Wed 16/10/2024
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00015293
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Astronomy: Astronomy in the Autumn

Longer, darker evenings of Autumn provide the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the night sky. We will concentrate on some of the objects (stars and planets) that can be seen over the autumn with the unaided eye. You will be given guidance on how to observe them. Astronomy is a very dynamic subject, and we will consider news stories of note. The course is for beginners/those with some experience and targetted observing challenges will be set. You will be encouraged to undertake independent research (via ‘mini-projects’) and, if you are willing, share with class members. Weekly knowledge quizzes will be set so that you can see your progress.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 28/11/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ann Bonell
Course code:
Q00017670
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50