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The John Muir Award 

Images:  John Muir Award logo, Cairngorms National Park Authority logo




The John Muir Award 

Images: John Muir Award logo, colour photo of climber standing on rock pinnacle


…is an environmental Award 
scheme focused on wild places. 

It encourages the discovery and 
conservation of wild places, 
in a spirit of fun, adventure and 
exploration. 

It is non-competitive and open to 
all. 




John Muir Award Ethos 

Images: John Muir Award logo, CNPA logo

• Open & welcoming to all 

• Non-competitive 

• Focused on wild places 

• Challenging & progressive 

• Fun & adventure 

• Opportunity to explore values & spirituality 





How does it work?
4 Challenges … 

Images: John Muir Award logo, CNPA logo

• Discover a wild place (or places) 

• Explore its wildness and natural characteristics 

• Conserve -take some personal responsibility for it 

• Share these experiences 

These themes run through a programme of activity 
-not separate boxes to be ticked e.g. ‘today is Explore day’ 
Can be different places, linked with a theme e.g. journey, coastal… 




3 Levels… 

Images: John Muir Award logo, CNPA logo


• Discovery Award Introductory Level 
4 days or equivalent time commitment 

• Explorer Award Intermediate Level 
8 days or equivalent time commitment 

• Conserver Award Advanced Level 
20 days over 6 months 


Time guidance as a MINIMUM 

All 4 Challenges addressed at each Level 





John Muir Award and Community Learning 
and Development 

Images: John Muir Award logo, CNPA logo

National Priorities 
..Achievement through learning for adults 
..Achievement through learning for young people 
..Achievement through building community capacity 

Policy Areas 
..Social inclusion 
..Lifelong learning 
..Active citizenship 
..Health improvement 




Images: John Muir Award logo, CNPA logo

• Princes Trust 

•NCH 

• White Mountain Dreams 

• St Fitticks 

• National Trust for Scotland 

• British Trust for Conservation Volunteers 

• WEA Reach Out Project 

• Lagganlia 

• Walk Deeside 

• Big Issue 

• Fairbridge 

• Wild Things!