Step by step guide

1. Become a member. To deliver the John Muir Award, your organisation must hold an active John Muir Trust Group Membership (annual subscription). Once you have purchased Group Membership, you'll receive an email with a link enabling you to create and submit an Award proposal via the online portal. Take a look at our portal introduction video to help you get started.

2. Submit your proposal. Complete and submit your Award proposal. We recommend drafting your proposal before copying your responses into the online form. See our guidance and template. Your proposal must be submitted at least two weeks before your planned start date. Retrospective activity is not accepted. An Award Officer will review your proposal and, once approved, will let you know you can begin your activities. If required, the Award Officer may contact you to request additional information before approval.

3. Get started. Keep track of your activities using our template.  You may also like to use our (optional) A5 record book so participants can capture their Wild Places Guardian experiences – it’s the perfect keepsake to remind them of their adventures and achievements. 

4. Submit your review and certificate request. Once all participants have completed the planned activities and met the Award criteria, submit an Award review, sharing their experiences and accomplishments, together with a certificate request.  See our guidance and review template here. An Award Officer will review your submission and process your certificate(s) ready for you to download. If required, the Award Officer may contact you for additional information before approving your review. 

5. Celebrate your participants' achievement!

For further guidance, see our dedicated Award Leader YouTube playlist, which takes you through each stage of the process.