NATUR, the Welsh Institute of Countryside and Conservation Management, is the professional institute for all those who manage, conserve and promote the living and cultural environment of land and sea in Wales.

Whatever your area of interest and responsibility may be, the mountains or sea, rivers, fields or urban parks, countryside or post-industrial areas, membership of NATUR is for you. It will raise your profile as a countryside or conservation management professional, and facilitate and promote your career development.

Whatever your level of experience, whether you have years of experience or are just starting your career, joining NATUR will provide you with:

• Professional status: membership of NATUR is recognised as a common standard by all the major employers in Wales
• Resources to promote career development: a mentor to work with you using our bespoke online tool Skills Manager, a tool to help you record your experience and achievements and maximise your employability
• Free entry to NATUR events and discounts on professional training courses with our partner training providers (see below for details)
• Opportunities to share experiences and skills with others, at our events or as a mentor – passing your experience on to the next generation

Membership categories

Are you: early in your career, just finished a course or newly seeking work in countryside and conservation management? Then Associate Membership  is for you. With a mentor, you’ll develop a career plan to broaden your skills base and maximise your employability. The competition for posts and contracts in conservation is increasing. As an associate member of NATUR, your commitment is recognised by all the major employers in Wales.

Are you: an experienced professional in countryside and conservation management? Then Full Membership is for you. Full membership of NATUR is recognised as a badge of excellence by all the major conservation bodies in Wales: the National Parks, Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry Commission Wales, The National Trust, RSPB, the Environment Agency, Cadw, the Wildlife Trusts, the county Archaeological Trusts, the Groundwork Trust, Lantra and the Welsh Local Government Association.

Both Full and Associate Members will receive:
• Mentoring and support
• Natur Cymru: the quarterly publication about nature and the environment in Wales
• Advance notice and booking of NATUR events and discounts on NATUR training events and conferences
• 10% discount on FSC professional courses in the Welsh Centres
• 20% discount on the Shared Earth Trust’s professional courses at Denmark Farm
• Access to the LANTRA Skills Manager system via the NATUR website: a tool to help members record their qualifications and experience and plan career development.

How to join:
See the criteria on the Join NATUR page, with downloadable associate and full membership application forms.

Affiliate Membership
Perhaps you don’t work in conservation but would like to support NATUR’s aims? If so you can support our work by joining as an Affiliate Member. Simply download the affiliate form and return it to the NATUR office.
As an affiliate member you will receive four copies of Natur Cymru magazine per year, at least two outings specially organised for our supporters, and the opportunity to attend conferences, seminars and other events.