Are you curious about what it takes to manage a nature reserve, restore habitats, and discover local flora and fauna through hands-on research? Now you can find out.
Since 2022, BirdLife Malta has been offering children the opportunity to experience the role of a nature reserve warden through our Nature Guardians programme. Courses run every autumn and spring, and since 2024 also in summer. Participants learn about Maltese wildlife, enjoy the outdoors, make new friends, and gain the skills needed to become Nature Guardians helping to protect our natural environment.
Following the success of our first course in autumn 2022, the programme continued in spring and autumn 2023, spring, summer and autumn 2024, and again in spring, summer and autumn 2025. We will soon be launching the Nature Guardians spring programme for 2026.
Explore the Nature Guardians programme with BirdLife Malta and follow this space for updates on upcoming courses! More details below.
Nature Guardians Course – Spring 2026
We are excited to launch the 10th edition of the Nature Guardians course for Spring 2026 – an outdoor education programme for children aged 7 – 11, designed to inspire exploration, understanding and care for nature.
Over 12 Saturday morning sessions, participants will discover Maltaβs wildlife through hands-on activities, outdoor exploration and practical conservation projects. Led by experienced BirdLife Malta educators, the programme fosters curiosity, confidence, teamwork and a lasting connection with the natural environment.
Course dates
March: 7, 14, 21, 28
April: 11, 18, 25
May: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Locations: Salina Nature Reserve, Għadira Nature Reserve, Simar Nature Reserve, Foresta 2000 and selected Project Green parks. Transport between sites included.
Thanks to the support of Project Green, the course fee is β¬120.
Course fee includes:
- Nature Guardians T-shirt and cap or hoodie
- All materials and workbooks
- Transport between sites
- Graduation certificate
- Alumni Community membership, including free monthly activities after graduation
Each group is kept small to ensure personal attention and a safe, supportive learning environment. Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/3WVgqPKmKre4UxuL9
Join Nature Guardians and give your child the opportunity to learn, grow and make a real difference for nature.
How to Apply:
- Step 1: Complete the online registration form below
- Step 2: Finalize your booking by making the online payment.
(Bookings are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis upon payment receipt.)
Missed out on the current Nature Guardians course? Donβt worry!
If the course is already full or has started, you can still get ahead of the crowd. Just fill in our pre-registration form, and weβll contact you as soon as the next intake opens.
By pre-registering, youβll get priority access to secure your spot in this popular programme.
Watch this video summing up the spring 2024 edition of Nature Guardians!
Course highlights
π§ Who can join: This incredible opportunity is perfect for nature enthusiasts aged 7 to 11. We keep our groups small, with a maximum of 12 participants, to ensure individual attention.
π§ What to expect: Fun, knowledge and new friends in a safe open-air environment.
π§ Course duration: Ten captivating sessions, spanning over three months, that will lead you on a memorable adventure through four stunning nature reserves: Simar, Salina, GΔ§adira, and Foresta 2000.
π§ Learn and explore: Guided by our dedicated BirdLife Malta staff, young Nature Guardians will:
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Monitor water quality and discover the impact of salinity and oxygen levels on Malta’s national fish, the Mediterranean Killifish
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Plan and implement habitat restoration projects
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Dive into the world of water inhabitants with microscopes
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Construct insect hotels and place them in the reserves
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Gain insights into the lives of hedgehogs on Maltese Islands
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Learn propagation techniques and master the art of planting seeds
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Plant flora they would have grown themselves!
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Explore the world of birdwatching and discover the captivating migration patterns of birds, and much more including bird ringing sessions!
Graduation and beyond
Upon completing the course, a special graduation ceremony awaits, where participants are awarded a certificate officially designating them as fully fledged Nature Guardians. However, the true value lies not in the certificate, but in the enriching experience children gain while connecting with nature β a respite from the pressures of traffic, schoolwork, computers, and social media.
As children progress through the course, they form close-knit bonds and friendships, fostering teamwork. We encourage them to continue their conservation journey by participating in monthly activities for graduated Nature Guardians.
How to apply
π’ Application period: Applications open bi-annually, in August and February.
π’ Meeting point and time: All sessions convene at Salina Nature Reserve, with transport provided to the various reserves on session days. The sessions are normally held on Saturday mornings, starting at 09:00 and finishing at 12:00.
π’ Course fee: The course fee includes all sessions, a Nature Guardians T-shirt and cap, transport to the different reserves, and a course guide booklet which you can use as a notebook at every session.
π’ Enrolment process: To enrol, you will be requested to simply complete a registration form. Afterward, you would need to finalize your booking by making an online payment β links to the payment facility will be included in the registration form. Bookings are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis upon payment receipt.
For any inquiries or to reserve your spot ahead of the application opening, please fill in the Google Form above (click on the button or scan the QR code) or contact us via email at [email protected].
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to become a Nature Guardian and leave a lasting impact on Malta’s precious natural wonders. Join us today and embark on an incredible journey of conservation and discovery!