DISCOVER NATURE AWARD
A free, co-designed two-day experience helping young adults aged 18–28 connect with nature, explore nature recovery and discover where they can contribute.The Award combines local nature exploration, practical outdoor learning, environmental understanding and hands-on restoration volunteering, creating a welcoming pathway for young adults to find their place in nature
OPENING UP ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS
Taking a first step into nature is not always easy. A lack of equipment, experience or confidence can prevent people from enjoying the outdoors and feeling that they belong there.
The Discover Nature Award, known as DNA, is working to change that.
Its free, accessible programmes help young adults aged 18–28 connect with nature, develop foundational outdoor skills and take part in practical environmental restoration.
DNA begins in familiar, accessible green spaces before helping participants explore Scotland’s wilder places safely and responsibly. The programme combines practical experience with a welcoming community in which young adults can learn, contribute and build confidence.
OPENING UP ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS
Taking a first step into nature is not always easy. A lack of equipment, experience or opportunities can prevent people from feeling that nature is somewhere they belong.
Discover Nature Award (DNA) is a new youth-led Scottish charity helping to change that.
Through its free, co-designed two-day Award, DNA supports young adults aged 18–28 to build knowledge, connections and discover where they can contribute to nature recovery.
The journey begins in accessible local green spaces before exploring a nature recovery site, helping participants understand both the challenges facing nature and the practical action being taken to restore it.
For many young adults, barriers such as access to outdoor equipment, previous experience or knowing where to start can make nature feel out of reach. Through this partnership, Highlander is helping reduce some of these barriers by providing outdoor equipment and
practical product knowledge, helping more young people take part.
By creating a welcoming community and reducing barriers to participation, Discover Nature Award is helping more young adults find their place in nature.
- NATURE CAMP AWARDA supported camping and volunteering experience helping young adults build outdoor skills, deepen their connection with nature and experience practical nature recovery in action.Through guided activities, shared experiences and time outdoors, participants develop confidence, learn about responsible access and discover how they can contribute to caring for Scotland’s landscapes.
- NATURE CHAMPIONS PATHWAYA developing progression route for DNA participants who want to continue their journey with nature, build leadership skills and explore opportunities to contribute to nature recovery. Currently in development, the Nature Champions Pathway aims to create new routes into the environmental sector, supporting young adults to build experience, connections and skills.
HOW HIGHLANDER IS HELPING
Highlander is supporting DNA by helping remove practical barriers to participation through outdoor equipment, starter packs and practical product knowledge.
Every Discover Nature Award participant will receive a starter pack containing useful items to help them take part safely and responsibly in nature experiences. Highlander is supporting DNA by providing equipment that helps young adults feel prepared and included from the start of their journey.
Highlander is also supporting access to the wider DNA programme by providing equipment for participants taking part in the second day of the Award, where young adults travel to wilder locations to explore nature recovery in practice.
For Discover Nature Camp, Highlander’s support helps make campingexperiences more accessible by providing equipment that enables young adults who may not otherwise have access to suitable gear to take part, learn outdoor skills and spend meaningful time in nature.
This partnership is about more than equipment. It is about helping remove barriers, create opportunities and support more young adults to find their place in nature.
This is an early-stage partnership that we hope will grow alongside Discover Nature Award and its community. We look forward to learning from young adults’ experiences and continuing to support aprogramme designed with young people at its heart.