Saturday 1st October - Harvest Mouse Ecology and Surveying
Saturday 1st October
10.00am - 4.00pm
Tutor: Steve Kirk
Supported by the Kent Mammal Group, our surveying and monitoring of Kent’s harvest mice enters a new phase, as we extend our searches to gather data for a national survey. The survey is being organised by the national body dedicated to the scientific study of mammals, the Mammal Society.
In order to be consistent in data collection up and down the country, new survey protocols have been drawn up by the Mammal Society in collaboration with Wildwood Trust, among others. That means that if you have trained with us before there are a few small updates to the methodology that you will need. We will make these available to download soon. Or, if you prefer you can join us for a refresher day that will include them.
Free for volunteers, contact courses@wildwoodtrust.org to book.
Sunday 9th October - Autumn Foraging Course - SOLD OUT
Sunday 9th October 2022
10.00am - 4.00pm
Tutor: Steve Kirk
Join us on a treasure hunt for nature’s wild harvest. Discover the foraging opportunities in different habitats. Learn to identify and gather wild fruits, roots, nuts and berries. Return with your harvest and find out the best ways to cook and preserve them, with live cooking demonstrations. Finally, sample some freshly prepared wild fare from the Autumn bounty.
Meet at Egerton Village Hall
Monday October 10th - UKHab Webinar Training Course
Monday 10th October
10am - 3.30pm
Tutor: Lesley Mason PhD ACIEEM – Freelance Botanist & Ecologist - UKHab Accredited Trainer
The UK Habitat Classification (UKHab) is a new comprehensive classification system for vegetation habitats which has many uses in conservation and land management. UKHab is set to replace the Phase 1 Habitat Survey currently used by ecological consultants in Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) of development sites.
UKHab will also be used as part of the Biodiversity Net Gain metric calculation for new developments.
This one day course comprises 3 Zoom webinar sessions covering:
- Introduction and overview of the UKHab
- UKHab survey: How to code and map habitats
- Using the UKHab Field Key to habitats (includes practical tasks)
Sessions will be 60 to 90mins each to allow time for participant interaction, questions and breaks. Limited to a maximum of 20 participants. Participants will be contacted via email to arrange webinar sessions.
NB. Participants may wish to download the UKHab documents in advance of the course from the website here: https://ukhab.org/
We will be practicing using the Field Key in session 3, so a printout of the key will be very useful.
Book now
Saturday October 15th - Small Mammal Survey Skills
Saturday 15th October
9.30am - 4.30pm
Tutor: Suzanne Kynaston
In partnership with Kent Mammal Group (KMG)
Learn how to survey for our smallest mammals using live, humane traps. Includes handling, sexing and identification, trap designs and mechanisms and principles of baiting and setting traps, surveying methods and legislation.
Book together with Kent Mammal ID Course for £50 – contact courses@wildwoodtrust.org for more information and/or to book.
Book now
Saturday November 5th - Kent Mammal Identification
Saturday 5th November
9.45am - 4.15pm
Tutor: Hazel Ryan
In partnership with Kent Mammal Group (KMG)
Learn how to identify our larger mammals from their tracks, signs and sightings. Includes a tour of the park to see some of the animals in the flesh and a close up examination of skins, skulls and antlers. Please note that this course does not include mice, voles or shrews which are covered in the Small Mammal Survey Skills course.
Book together with Small Mammal Survey Skills Course for £50 – contact courses@wildwoodtrust.org for more information and/or to book.
Book now
Saturday November 12th - Rewilding 1: Big Grazers for Big Landscapes
Saturday 12th November
10.00am - 4.30pm
Tutors: Anne Riddell and Vicki Breakell
Over the coming months, we will be running a series of four rewilding courses, examining the pros and cons of bringing back large herbivores and carnivores to modern Britain.
This first course looks at the large herbivores which kick start landscape changes to benefit biodiversity, including primitive horses and bison. A classroom session including a talk on the Wilder Blean project and followed by a visit to the Blean.
Book together with Rewilding 2: Bringing Back the Beaver for £50 – contact courses@wildwoodtrust.org for more information and/or to book.
Book now
Saturday December 3rd - Wildwood's Natural Skincare Lab
Saturday 3rd December
10.00am - 3.00pm
Tutors: Donna Murphy and Helen Lynn
In this hands-on one day course, learn how to formulate your own medicinal balms, deodorants, scrubs and other natural skincare products. Find out about the detrimental impacts to health, wildlife and the environment from the plastic packaging and ingredients used in everyday skincare and personal care products. Discuss how you can reduce the impact of your own routine and your exposure to potentially harmful ingredients.
You'll work with herbs, essential oils, nut oils, butters and a range of other natural ingredients to make your own products to take away with you, along with the formulations to get you started in setting up your very own skincare and cosmetics chemistry lab at home. Take home what you make as gifts or to pamper yourself.
Saturday January 14th - Discovering Winter Birds
Saturday 14th January
10.00am - 4.00pm
Tutor: Simon Ginnaw
How does the winter season affect Britain's birds? During this course Simon will introduce you to the species communities found in Britain at this time of year, offer insights into their migrations and their adaptations to winter weather, whilst sharing tips on species identification and where to watch birds in winter. The day course is split in two parts, with a field trip to Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve in the afternoon. Own transport needed.
Book now
Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th January - Wildlife Interpretation – Engaging Visitors with Conservation
Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th January
Tutor: Will Hirstle
This online course will look at best practice in producing interpretation about wildlife in a range of contexts. It will be of interest to anyone communicating with the public about wildlife and conservation, and will be relevant to those working in a variety of settings, such as nature reserves, parks, green spaces, zoos and rewilding projects. It will cover self-guided media, both of the ‘traditional’ kind, (e.g. outdoor panels and printed leaflets), and those that use new technology (e.g. QR codes and mobile devices).
You will learn about the principles that guide interpretation and explore the qualities of effective communication with visitors. The tutor will then guide you through the process of creating interpretation – planning, generating content, design – looking at how those qualities can be applied. There will be lots of practical guidance and exercises, covering writing text, finding images and accessibility for people with disabilities, as well as technical advice on topics like digital images, materials and sustainability.
Saturday 28th January - Harvest Mouse Ecology and Surveying
Saturday 28th January
10.00am - 4.00pm
Tutor: Steve Kirk
Supported by the Kent Mammal Group, our surveying and monitoring of Kent’s harvest mice enters a new phase, as we extend our searches to gather data for a national survey. The survey is being organised by the national body dedicated to the scientific study of mammals, the Mammal Society.
In order to be consistent in data collection up and down the country, new survey protocols have been drawn up by the Mammal Society in collaboration with Wildwood Trust, among others. That means that if you have trained with us before there are a few small updates to the methodology that you will need. We will make these available to download soon. Or, if you prefer you can join us for a refresher day that will include them.
Free for volunteers, contact courses@wildwoodtrust.org to book.
Saturday February 4th - Rewilding 2: Bringing Back the Beaver
Saturday 4th February
10.00am - 4.00pm
Tutor: Anne Riddell
The second of our rewilding-themed courses looks at the vital role of the beaver in reinstating wetlands and enhancing biodiversity. After briefly exploring the history of the beaver in Britain, we will look at its ecology, field signs and its work as a landscape architect and wetland engineer, as well as the pros and cons of reintroducing an animal that has been absent from Britain for over 400 years. The recent return of the beaver to Britain – in both authorised and unauthorised projects – will also be discussed, including a review of Kent Wildlife Trust’s Ham Fen project and the beaver’s recolonisation of the Kentish Stour. The course includes field to Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve in the afternoon. Own transport required.
Book together with Rewilding 1: Big Grazers for Big Landscapes for £50 – contact courses@wildwoodtrust.org for more information and/or to book.
Book now