Saturday 8th February - Kent Mammal Identification
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
Tutor: Suzanne Kynaston/Hazel Ryan
9.45am - 4.15pm
£30 per person (Book together with Small Mammal Survey Skills course for £50).
Saturday 7th March - Bird Conservation and Introduction to Survey Techniques
Birds are important as indicators of the health of our environment. This course covers our UK bird species of conservation concern, exploring their ecology and current conservation efforts. Also, an introduction to some monitoring methods. Practise these techniques during an outdoor session.
Tutor: Simon Ginnaw
9.30am – 4.30pm
£50 per person
Sunday 8th March - Rewilding 3: Are We Ready for Lynx?
Lynx could just be the first large carnivore to be reintroduced to Britain after centuries of predator-free farming – if a licence is granted. The third in our rewilding series looks at the archaeological evidence for the lynx in Britain, its ecology and the reasons why there is strong conservation pressure – and strong opposition – to bringing it back. It also looks at how this is being handled and public perceptions of this solitary and charismatic hunter.
Tutor: Anne Riddell
10.00am – 4.00pm
£30 per person
Saturday 21st March - Introduction to Amphibian Ecology and Surveying
In partnership with Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group (KRAG)
An introduction to the identification and basic ecology of Kent’s frogs, toads and newts. Find out what makes a good amphibian pond as well as different survey techniques, finishing with a torchlight survey of a nearby amphibian population. There will be an emphasis on newts due to the location. Own transport required.
Tutor: Mike Phillips
2.00pm – 8.00pm
£30 per person
Saturday 28th March - A Beginner’s Guide to Birdwatching
Spend the day with an ornithologist and international birdwatching guide and learn how to get the most out of watching our feathered friends. Find out about identification basics, why songs and calls are so important, bird migration, useful equipment and how watching birds can aid their conservation.
Tutor: Simon Ginnaw
10.00am – 4.00pm
£30 per person
Saturday 29th March – Face Your Fears: Spiders
Arachnophobia, or fear of spiders, is one of the most common animal-related phobias. This experience provides a safe, secure environment to investigate your fears with others who share similar concerns. Organised by Langan Turner, Education Manager, who has successfully delivered arachnophobia sessions for nearly seven years! Please be aware, no hypnotherapy or live tarantula handling is involved, and true arachnophobia cannot be cured in a single day.
Participants receive:
- Park entry for the day
- £5 Cafe voucher (one per person)
- Certificate for each participant
- Arachnophobia advice sheet
Tutor: Langan Turner
10.00am – 2.00pm
£40 per person
Saturday 4th April - Rewilding 4: Return of the Wolf
No rewilding series would be complete without a discussion about the wolf, its current absence from Britain and the conservation interest in bringing it back. The fourth and final rewilding course in this series looks at the history of the wolf in Britain, its ecology, pack behaviour and its recolonisation of Western Europe since WW2. It asks if wolves could be successfully reintroduced to modern Britain, what measures would be required to make that feasible and how the public might view the return of this superlative predator.
Tutor: Anne Riddell
10.00am – 4.00pm
£30 per person
Saturday 18th April - Introduction to Beekeeping (8 week course)
An 8 week “hands-on” course for complete beginners to give you the knowledge and confidence to get your first colony. Learn the skills of this ancient art from Wildwood’s own beekeeper. Please note that this course takes place outside and is weather dependent. Changes to the timetable may be needed if weather conditions are unsuitable. Post-course advice available. Not suitable for those with medical conditions such as heart problems, asthma or allergy to bee stings. Contact us for advice if you are unsure.
Dates: Saturdays from 18/4/20 to 6/6/20 inclusive
Tutor: John Holmes
11.00am – 4.00pm
£100 per person
Saturday 18th April - Introduction to Forest Gardening
Come and learn about this inspiring ecological gardening technique to grow our food, meet many human needs and increase wildlife. Based on principles found in nature, forest gardens will need less and less work over the years whilst providing more and more yields.
The course covers ecosystem design, perennial plants, seven layers, history, design considerations, permaculture design, wildlife and rewilding.
We will connect to the environment through nature awareness, foraging and observing natural ecological design principles. We will observe natural edible forest garden edges and explore the implications of this way of gardening.
This one day session should give you enough information to have a go in your own garden and be inspired.
Tutor: Jo Barker
10.00am – 4.00pm
£40 per person
Sunday 19th April - Spring Foraging in Egerton
In this introduction discover easily recognisable plants that are good to eat and learn how to prepare and cook them. At a variety of local sites you will learn to forage safely and identify some common edible species before returning to cook and sample your fare. Also learn about foraging and the law.
Meet at Egerton Village Hall.
Tutor: Steve Kirk
10.00am – 4.00pm
£30 per person
Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th May - Water Vole Survey, Assessment and Mitigation
This is a two-day course aimed at professional ecologists. It provides a solid grounding in water vole ecology, survey, assessment, and mitigation with both classroom and field-based practical elements. Classroom and survey elements are led by a leading consultant, tracker and co-author of the Water Vole Mitigation Handbook (Mammal Society 2016), and the other practical sessions by our recognised expert in water vole trapping, husbandry and release. Participants will have the opportunity to identify real field-signs, handle live water voles, examine equipment and to visit our other native riparian mammals.
Own transport required.
Tutor: Richard Andrews and Hazel Ryan
Day 1 – 10.00am – 5.00pm
Day 2 – 9.00am – 4.00pm
£150 per person
Saturday 16th May - Reptile Ecology and Surveying
In partnership with Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group (KRAG)
A chance to get up close and personal to some of our most iconic and often misunderstood creatures. An introduction to native British reptiles covering identification, basic ecology and survey techniques. Find out how to identify the best places to look for reptiles and what habitat features they require. Includes a search for reptiles at a nearby monitoring site.
Tutor: Mike Phillips
10.00am – 4.00pm
£30 per person
Saturday 23rd May - Hedgehogs in the Garden
A short workshop focusing on how to help hedgehogs in your garden. It will comprise a talk covering the biology, ecology and behaviour of hedgehogs and advice on hedgehog-friendly gardening. Learn how to find out if hedgehogs are visiting your garden. There will be an opportunity to meet a hedgehog up close and view footage of hedgehog behaviour.
Tutor: Suzanne Kynaston and Lorraine Foster
10.00am – 1.00pm
£20 per person
Saturday 30th May - Plant Identification for Beginners
An introduction to Plant Identification for those starting to identify flowering plants. Learn to assign plants to families or species level using their parts and other useful features. The use of basic keys will be introduced. This course is an ideal basic grounding in plant id for those interested in attending our Phase 1 habitat survey course.
Own transport required.
Tutor: Dr. Lesley Mason
10.00am – 4.00pm
£30 per person
Sunday 7th June - Seashore Foraging and Wild Cooking
An introduction to the sustainable foraging potential of the North Kent coast and estuary habitat. Discover which easily recognisable plants are good to eat and learn how to prepare and cook them. Forage a variety of edible shellfish before returning to cook and sample your fare. Also covers foraging safety and the law, and the wider uses of plants.
Tutor: Steve Kirk
9.45am – 4.00pm (please be prompt as the tide will be about to turn)
£30 per person
Friday 12th June - Introduction to Phase 1 Habitat Survey (part 1)
Part 1: A classroom and field based introduction to Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology to map and record sites. Ideal for professional ecologists and those working towards a career in this field. Learn to identify key indicator plant species that will help you to recognise and distinguish broad habitat types and gain confidence in writing target notes on habitat features. This is a stand-alone course, but can also be a precursor to phase 1 habitat survey (part 2).
Own transport required.
Tutor: Dr. Lesley Mason
10.00am – 4.00pm
£55 per person
Friday 26th June - Introduction to Phase 1 Habitat Survey (part 2)
Part 2: Aimed at those already familiar with Phase 1 habitat survey basics as covered in part 1 (either in 2018 or a previous year) or who have learnt basic phase 1 elsewhere but want to learn more about indicator plant species for different habitats. The whole day will be spent in the field to experience a variety of habitats and their indicator plants including chalk grassland and neutral grassland types. We will travel to various sites across the county.
Own transport required.
Tutor: Dr. Lesley Mason
10.00am – 4.00pm
£55 per person