Nature guide training

The Nature Guide training course is a course run by volunteers for anyone who wants to actively contribute to protecting nature. IVN has been training nature guides for 60 years. More than 16,000 nature guides have now been trained, showing people throughout the Netherlands how interesting and surprisingly enjoyable nature can be. The training programme lasts approximately two years and, upon completion of this framework training, you will receive a diploma recognised by the national IVN. In January 2026, the new Nature Guide training programme for the Brabant-Zuidoost region will start.

The Nature Guide Training Programme is a unique programme for anyone who wants to become a nature guide. You will learn about nature and how you can inspire others and increase their knowledge of nature. The Nature Guide Training Programme allows you to discover the special nature reserves in the area, how you can get adults and children enthusiastic about nature, and how you can continue to deepen your own knowledge. The Nature Guide Training Course in the Brabant-Zuidoost region is organised jointly with IVN departments from Laarbeek, Asten-Someren, Geldrop, Heeze-Leende, Helmond, Mierlo and Nuenen. 

The Nature Guide training course is organised by volunteers from IVN. Many of these volunteers are active as Nature Guides and/or have a background in education. Their enthusiasm for nature and imparting knowledge makes this training course a unique and personal experience. You will learn how to organise and supervise green activities. This includes setting up and leading excursions, working with primary school pupils and more. During the training, you will discover what you enjoy doing. You will also get to know your own region well. The nature that can be seen there now, the changes in nature throughout the seasons, but also its origins and the role of humans in it. The broader themes are usually: soil, water, flora, fauna, ecology and landscape. In addition, there is a strong focus on sustainability.

After a long period of preparation and organisation, the time has now come for participants to register for the Nature Guide Training Programme. The programme is given at the IVN departments of Laarbeek, Asten-Someren, Geldrop, Heeze-Leende, Helmond, Mierlo and Nuenen. Registration is possible via the websites of the local departments. At the end of September, there will be an information evening where you can meet the nature guides from the IVN departments.