National Careers Week 2026 - Green Jobs for Nature

Get your pupils thinking about their future with our free week of live, interactive careers lessons.

This March, we’re excited to offer a full week of free, live and curriculum-linked online sessions as part of National Careers Week 2026, designed especially for pupils aged 10–12.

Across the week, your classroom will meet inspiring people working in wildlife, conservation, science, forestry and environmental education across the UK. Pupils will discover the wide range of jobs that help protect nature, from working outdoors in seas, cities and woodlands to supporting conservation behind the scenes.

Together, we’ll explore what environmental careers really look like, the many different pathways into these roles, and the skills young people need to succeed, such as teamwork, communication, curiosity and problem-solving.

Join us online from Monday 2 to Friday 6 March 2026 for an inspiring week of discovery.

This page features all the online events we will be hosting throughout National Careers Week.

“Great session that inspired and enthused a class of 30 children.”
Teacher who attended 2025 Green Careers Week Festival

Monday 2 March

Careers by the Coast: Working with Our Seas 09:30 – 10:00
Recommended age group: 10 – 12
In this session, pupils meet Reece and Dylan from the North Wales Wildlife Trust to explore the wide range of careers connected to our seas. From conservation and research to education, community engagement, traineeships and internships, this session shows that working with the ocean isn’t just about being a scientist on a boat. The many different pathways into marine and environmental work are shown. Pupils discover real career journeys, the skills used in marine roles, including communication, teamwork and curiosity, and how these jobs help protect nature while working with communities. Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series, this session supports learning in science, geography and careers education, and is ideal for young people interested in the ocean and careers that make a positive difference.

Careers by the Coast: Working with Our Seas
09:30 – 10:00

Recommended age group: 10 – 12

In this session, pupils meet Reece and Dylan from the North Wales Wildlife Trust to explore the wide range of careers connected to our seas. From conservation and research to education, community engagement, traineeships and internships, this session shows that working with the ocean isn’t just about being a scientist on a boat.

The many different pathways into marine and environmental work are shown. Pupils discover real career journeys, the skills used in marine roles, including communication, teamwork and curiosity, and how these jobs help protect nature while working with communities.

Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series, this session supports learning in science, geography and careers education, and is ideal for young people interested in the ocean and careers that make a positive difference.

Access the resource

Tuesday 3 March

Science Outdoors: How You Can Become an Ecologist 9:30 – 10:00
Recommended age group: 10 – 12
In this recorded session, pupils meet Marie McAvan, a working ecologist who studies wildlife, habitats and biodiversity across the UK. Marie takes students through a real day in her job, showing how science moves beyond the classroom and into the outdoors. With her background as a former biology teacher and examiner, Marie explains ideas clearly and brings ecological work to life. Pupils explore what ecologists do, from surveying birds, bats and plants to protecting habitats, and discover the tools and technology used in the field. Marie also shares her own career journey, from studying Marine Biology to retraining and changing career direction. Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series, this session supports learning in science, geography and careers education, and is ideal for young people who enjoy nature, science and the idea of working outdoors to protect the environment.

Science Outdoors: How You Can Become an Ecologist
9:30 – 10:00

Recommended age group: 10 – 12

In this recorded session, pupils meet Marie McAvan, a working ecologist who studies wildlife, habitats and biodiversity across the UK. Marie takes students through a real day in her job, showing how science moves beyond the classroom and into the outdoors.

With her background as a former biology teacher and examiner, Marie explains ideas clearly and brings ecological work to life. Pupils explore what ecologists do, from surveying birds, bats and plants to protecting habitats, and discover the tools and technology used in the field. Marie also shares her own career journey, from studying Marine Biology to retraining and changing career direction.

Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series, this session supports learning in science, geography and careers education, and is ideal for young people who enjoy nature, science and the idea of working outdoors to protect the environment.

Access the resource

From Maps to Meadows: Planning for Wildlife 11:00 – 11:30
Recommended age group: 10 – 12
In this recorded session, pupils meet Jess Hodges, an Ecology Project Manager who works on projects that improve nature on reserves and public green spaces. Jess introduces a real project currently in progress and invites students to help with problem-solving along the way. Pupils explore how creating space for wildlife in busy places can be challenging, especially when time and budgets are limited, but also exciting and rewarding. Students discover how skills such as map reading, digital technology, maths, writing and teamwork all come together in environmental project work. The session also highlights the wide range of careers involved in projects like this, from ecology and landscape design to river science and environmental planning. Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series, this session supports learning in science, geography and careers education, and encourages young people to think creatively about the many roles needed to help nature thrive. *Accompanying Maps to Meadows Education Resource* Please use this link to virtually visit Rickmansworth Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve, and explore grassland, woodland, wetland, lakes and a chalk river . Investigate ecological data, analyse species information, explore GIS mapping and discover wildlife through interactive challenges Take some time to explore the nature reserve, what species of tree can you find? Click on the numbers to collect ecological data as you journey through the site. What animals pop up on the camera trap images? How many species of butterfly can be found? Analyse the grassland data to see how common different species are. For more information on Rickmansworth Aquadrome, please visit the site’s data hub.

From Maps to Meadows: Planning for Wildlife
11:00 – 11:30

Recommended age group: 10 – 12

In this recorded session, pupils meet Jess Hodges, an Ecology Project Manager who works on projects that improve nature on reserves and public green spaces. Jess introduces a real project currently in progress and invites students to help with problem-solving along the way. Pupils explore how creating space for wildlife in busy places can be challenging, especially when time and budgets are limited, but also exciting and rewarding. Students discover how skills such as map reading, digital technology, maths, writing and teamwork all come together in environmental project work.

The session also highlights the wide range of careers involved in projects like this, from ecology and landscape design to river science and environmental planning.

Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series, this session supports learning in science, geography and careers education, and encourages young people to think creatively about the many roles needed to help nature thrive.

Accompanying Maps to Meadows Education Resource
Please use this link to virtually visit Rickmansworth Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve, and explore grassland, woodland, wetland, lakes and a chalk river .
Investigate ecological data, analyse species information, explore GIS mapping and discover wildlife through interactive challenges
Take some time to explore the nature reserve, what species of tree can you find?
Click on the numbers to collect ecological data as you journey through the site. What animals pop up on the camera trap images?
How many species of butterfly can be found? Analyse the grassland data to see how common different species are.

For more information on Rickmansworth Aquadrome, please visit the site’s data hub.

Maps to Meadows at Rickmansworth Aquadrome
An Education Resource

Wednesday 4 March

Exploring Urban Wildlife Careers 9:30 – 10:00
Recommended age group: 10 – 12
In this live session, pupils meet Faye Vogely, Head of Youth Programmes at the London Wildlife Trust, alongside trainee Toby Moran-Mylett, to explore careers connected to wildlife in towns and cities. Using examples from the Keeping it Wild traineeship programme, the session shows how young people can gain hands-on experience working on city nature reserves and supporting wildlife in urban spaces. Pupils discover the wide range of roles involved in protecting urban nature – from environmental education and community engagement to practical conservation work – while learning why wildlife in cities is so important for both people and biodiversity. Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series for National Careers Week, this session supports learning in science, geography and careers education, and encourages young people to think about how they can help nature thrive in their own communities.

Exploring Urban Wildlife Careers
9:30 – 10:00

Recommended age group: 10 – 12

In this live session, pupils meet Faye Vogely, Head of Youth Programmes at the London Wildlife Trust, alongside trainee Toby Moran-Mylett, to explore careers connected to wildlife in towns and cities.

Using examples from the Keeping it Wild traineeship programme, the session shows how young people can gain hands-on experience working on city nature reserves and supporting wildlife in urban spaces. Pupils discover the wide range of roles involved in protecting urban nature – from environmental education and community engagement to practical conservation work – while learning why wildlife in cities is so important for both people and biodiversity.

Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series for National Careers Week, this session supports learning in science, geography and careers education, and encourages young people to think about how they can help nature thrive in their own communities.

Thursday 5 March

Working with trees and people: Using Ecology in Forestry and Education 9:30 – 10:00
Recommended age group: 10 – 12
In this recorded session, pupils meet Jemma Cuthbert, School and Community Officer with the Royal Forestry Society, to explore how a background in ecology can lead to a career working with both trees and people. Jemma shares how her studies in ecology led her into a role that combines environmental education with forestry. Pupils discover how ecological knowledge helps inform decisions about managing woodlands, growing timber as a sustainable resource, and improving school grounds for both wildlife and pupils. The session also explores the skills used in this type of work – including communication, teamwork, problem-solving and continuous learning — while highlighting the real-world impact of tree planting and woodland management. Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series for National Careers Week, this session supports learning in science, geography and careers education, and encourages young people to think about careers that combine nature, education and outdoor work.

Working with trees and people: Using Ecology in Forestry and Education
9:30 – 10:00

Recommended age group: 10 – 12

In this recorded session, pupils meet Jemma Cuthbert, School and Community Officer with the Royal Forestry Society, to explore how a background in ecology can lead to a career working with both trees and people. Jemma shares how her studies in ecology led her into a role that combines environmental education with forestry.

Pupils discover how ecological knowledge helps inform decisions about managing woodlands, growing timber as a sustainable resource, and improving school grounds for both wildlife and pupils. The session also explores the skills used in this type of work – including communication, teamwork, problem-solving and continuous learning — while highlighting the real-world impact of tree planting and woodland management.

Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series for National Careers Week, this session supports learning in science, geography and careers education, and encourages young people to think about careers that combine nature, education and outdoor work.

Access the resource

Friday 6 March

Behind the Scenes at the Woodland Trust: Real Jobs That Help Nature 9:30 – 10:00
Recommended age group: 10 – 12
Behind the Scenes at the Woodland Trust: Real Jobs That Help Nature Recommended age: 10–12 In this live session, pupils meet apprentices Ava Roberts and Grace Adams from the Woodland Trust to discover how important conservation work happens behind the scenes. Ava and Grace share what a typical day in their roles looks like and explain how office-based teams help support projects that protect and restore woods and trees across the UK. Pupils learn how skills such as organisation, communication, teamwork and IT play a key role in making environmental work possible. The session also introduces apprenticeships as a pathway into environmental careers and highlights the wide range of roles that contribute to nature conservation, both outdoors and behind the scenes. Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series for National Careers Week, this session supports learning in careers education, communication and digital skills while helping young people see that there are many different ways to build a career that supports nature.

Behind the Scenes at the Woodland Trust: Real Jobs That Help Nature
9:30 – 10:00

Recommended age group: 10 – 12

Behind the Scenes at the Woodland Trust: Real Jobs That Help Nature Recommended age: 10–12 In this live session, pupils meet apprentices Ava Roberts and Grace Adams from the Woodland Trust to discover how important conservation work happens behind the scenes. Ava and Grace share what a typical day in their roles looks like and explain how office-based teams help support projects that protect and restore woods and trees across the UK. Pupils learn how skills such as organisation, communication, teamwork and IT play a key role in making environmental work possible.

The session also introduces apprenticeships as a pathway into environmental careers and highlights the wide range of roles that contribute to nature conservation, both outdoors and behind the scenes.

Part of the Green Jobs for Nature series for National Careers Week, this session supports learning in careers education, communication and digital skills while helping young people see that there are many different ways to build a career that supports nature.

Access the resource