Bioasis Scientific
Are you looking for biology and environmental science field trip like no other? The Bioasis Scientific Mission is a 5-day immersive adventure combining hands-on biology and ecology learning with conservation volunteering and adventure activities. Your playground is 1200-acres of woodland, wildflower meadows and salt marshes - all in set in one of the UK's most beautiful and untouched river estuaries.
Your mission is to become experts in environmental science and put together an action plan to kickstart the rewilding of our dying planet. Learn key skills of biodiversity monitoring, ecology and land-management, live sustainably off-grid and contribute to real environmental conservation. Teams will need to work together to locate The Bioasis and study its natural ecology and local land management.
Meet with local experts, NGOs and land owners and take learning WAY outside the classroom with this ultimate re-wilding biology field trip!
Mission: Scientific
5 Day, 4 night
Suitable Age: 14 - 18 yrs
Group size: Minimum 15 and maximum 90 across three camp locations.
When: Missions run Monday to Friday, from May to end October.
Mission Objectives: Decrypt codes to locate mission start point and Bioasis basecamp. Detailed wildlife and biodiversity survey work, including working with moth lights, small-mammal traps, bat detectors and wildlife cameras. Mycelium networks and reptile workshops. Conservation volunteer activities including invasive species removal, woodland management and environment clean up. Species ID, referencing and logging. Q&A session with landowner on rewilding and eco-tourism.
• Mission based programme with environmental science focus.
• Tracking and camera trapping.
• Flora & fauna surveys and water sampling.
• Fungi session and talk from local landowner.
• Biodiversity monitoring and management.
• Conservation volunteering.
• Canoe mission.
• Navigation, bushcraft and team building.
For a sample day to day programme see below.
Transport: Walking, canoe
Skills & Learning Outcomes:Surveying and study techniques, Wildflower, woodland and hedgerow habitats. Shoreline, salt marshes and mudflat ecology. Renewable energy circuits, Leave No Trace philosophy, navigation, canoe skills & safety, camera trapping and use of moth lights, bat detecting, flora and fauna ID, search and rescue, plastics, recycling and circular economies, communications, food hygiene & preparation, camp & bushcraft skills, team work, problem solving, conservation & rewilding.
Mission start point: Confidential. RV and Ex-Fil points disclosed once team confirmed and trust established.
Price: £565 + VAT per person.
Discounts available for large groups and certain dates, please contact us for quote. Prices are plus VAT and include free teacher places. As an educational trip, it is usually possible for most schools to reclaim VAT on these trips through your usual channels.
What's included?
-
All food from afternoon tea on day 1 to lunch on day 5
-
Accommodation in purpose built off-grid Bioasis basecamp – no mobile phones
-
All activities as per sample programme below
-
All technical and safety equipment
-
Comprehensive pre-mission information including kit list, radio communications guide and mission briefing
-
Experienced Mission Leaders and activity / support staff
-
Industry leading safety systems, including emergency and evacuation plans. See our Safety page for more information
What's not included?
-
Transport to/from the Mission Start Point (located in South West England)
-
Personal equipment (e.g. sleeping bag, boots etc) – a full kit list will be provided
-
Travel insurance (should you wish to take it out to cover you in case you have to cancel)
Bioasis Basecamps
The Bioasis has three main basecamps, each fully equipped with sustainable energy sources, comfortable multi-occupancy tents, a field kitchen, mess tent, composting toilets, bucket showers and a fire pit area. The location of basecamp may change depending on the seasons and the current threat from local industrialists. Potential locations include:
Holbe Meadow Camp lies to the west of the estuary, tucked away between a beautiful wildflower meadow and ancient woodland. The bird life, bees and bats here are magical, as are the stars at night.
Yarnin Fort Camp is situated at almost the highest point in The Bioasis, in a wildflower meadow, and has commanding views across the valley and down to the estuary. Witnessing dawn here is truly special.
Orche Camp is hidden at the very heart of The Bioasis and surrounded by ancient forest. It’s secluded, atmospheric and a real gem of a location.
Bioasis Scientific Sample Programme:
The year is 2074 and planet Earth is in an ecological crisis caused by the climate change apocalypse. You are called to take part in an important scientific mission to help reconnect humanity with nature.
Day 1: Meet your Mission Leader at your pre-arranged Mission Start Point (MSP). Trek approximately an hour into the Bioasis and locate advanced basecamp. Afternoon/evening briefing and basecamp tasks. Set up wildlife cameras, small mammal traps and reptile refugios.
Day 2: Check mammal / reptile traps. Canoe based mission to study estuary shoreline and salt-flats ecosystems. Conduct water testing. Tree and hedgerow ID session. Q&A with landowner on rewilding and nature-based tourism. Evening moth survey work.
Day 3: Morning conservation work e.g. removal of invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam or Rhododendron. Afternoon mycelium workshop. Evening bat survey work.
Day 4: Full day expedition within The Bioasis to conduct ocean plastic clean-up operation and woodland conservation work. Afternoon checking camera traps. Prepare for final evening dinner and post-mission guerrilla rewilding tasks.
Day 5: Depart basecamp, transfer or trek out of The Bioasis to MSP for journey home.
Please note: The exact order of days and nature of the mission activities may vary depending on weather, tide times and other factors outside of our control.
“A fantastic experience for our Environmental Science students taking the AQA A level syllabus. Almost all activities touched on aspects of our course content so great enrichment. The Bioasis staff had obviously taken on board feedback from last year and designed an experience that was heavily scientific, bringing in specialists to give talks and demonstrate some of the research that they were involved in. This obviously takes times and careful planning.”
- Teacher, Peter Symonds College
“My son spoke very positively about the staff and the provision of food - despite him being a fussy eater. We are grateful to both Bioasis and the school for providing this experience.”
- Parent Feedback
How to book the Bioasis Extreme
Please contact missioncontrol@thebioasis.com to request a recruitment pack or phone 01392 984878 to chat to one of the team.
We can then send you more information and an overview of our safety management system and sample risk assessments. We’ll also create marketing materials for you to start gaining interest from students and parents including a parent information pack, assembly and posters.
Financial protection and peace of mind
All Bioasis Missions are financially protected by Trust My Travel, in accordance with Package Travel Regulations requirements. Please click on the logo below for more information on TMTProtects.me financial protection. We hold all legally required licences, including AALA. In addition, we are member sof the British Activity Providers Association (BAPA) and have been awarded The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge - a nationally recognised indicator of good quality educational provision AND effective risk management.
