Feb_Jun_Conservation_2018

CONSERVATION COURSES  February 2018 - June 2018

Wildwood is proud to announce details of their upcoming Winter and Spring conservation courses for professionals, students and nature lovers. All levels of experience are welcome to attend. For enquiries and to book, please contact us on 01227 711 471 or email courses@wildwoodtrust.org

Download and print the full leaflet here

Kent Mammal Identification Saturday 10th February Tutor: Suzanne Kynaston 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. 9.45am - 4.15pm £30 per person * In partnership with Kent Mammal Group (KMG)  * Book together with Small Mammals Survey Skills course held on 10.3.18 for £50

An Introduction to Willow Crafts Saturday 17th February Tutor: Hazel Ryan Make small willow structures such as colourful trays and wigwam plant supports using locally grown willow. Learn how to grow your own willow and how to prepare and store your willow rods. All materials included. Take home a few cuttings to plant in your garden.   10.00am – 4.00pm £40 per person

Harvest Mouse Ecology and Surveying Saturday 24th February Tutor: Steve Kirk For anyone wishing to participate in the Kent Harvest Mouse Survey Project. Learn about the key factors affecting the status and distribution of harvest mice in this county. An opportunity to examine a variety of harvest mouse nests and gain the practical surveying experience in the field needed for the survey. Meet in the classroom at Tyland Barn, Chatham Road, Maidstone ME14 3BD. 11.30am - 3.30pm FREE for survey volunteers (Heritage Lottery Funded) In Partnership with Kent Mammal Group (KMG)

Living Willow Structures Saturday 3rd March Tutor: Hazel Ryan Learn how to create living garden features such as arbours and fedges (living fence/screen). Different varieties of locally grown willow will be used.  Techniques learnt on this course can be adapted for other types of structure.  Take a few cuttings home. Includes information on site preparation and aftercare. 9.45am - 4.15pm £45 per person

Small Mammal Survey Skills Saturday 10th March Tutor: Suzanne Kynaston 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. 9.30am - 4.30pm £30 per person * In partnership with Kent Mammal Group (KMG) * Book together with Kent Mammal ID Course held on 10.2.18 for £50

Seashell and Seaweed Identification Sunday 11th March Tutor: Anne Riddell Learn how to identify local seashells and seaweeds and find out more about them, plus a visit to a local beach to start your own reference collection. 10.30am - 4.00pm £30 per person

Introduction to Amphibian Ecology and Surveying Saturday 24th March Tutor: Mike Phillips This introduction to native species will cover the identification of Kent’s frogs, toads and newts and their basic ecology. Find out what makes a good amphibian pond as well as different techniques that can be used to survey for amphibians.  The day will finish with a torchlight survey of a nearby amphibian population.  There will be an emphasis on newts due to the location. Own transport required. 2.00pm - 8.00pm £30 per person In partnership with Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group (KRAG) Min age 13 (under 16s to be accompanied by a paying adult) Photo Credit: Jason Steel

Animal Skeletons Saturday 7th April Tutor: Anne Riddell Family workshop. Discover the amazing world of animal bones and put together a real animal skeleton. Find out how animals’ skeletons differ from our own and what their bones and teeth can tell us about their lives. Illustrated talk, followed by hands on skeleton building. For adults and young people. 11.00am-3.00pm £15 per person Min age 10 (under 16s to be accompanied by a paying adult)

Bird Conservation and Introduction to Survey Techniques Thursday 12th April Tutor: Simon Ginnaw Birds are important indicators of the health of our environment, and bird survey techniques and the data produced from surveys are essential to measuring population trends and conserving species.  This course will look at our UK bird species of conservation concern, exploring their ecology and what is being done to try to conserve these species.  It will provide an introduction to some of the approaches taken whilst monitoring birds, and these techniques will be put into practice during an outdoor session.   9.30am - 4.30pm £50 per person

Spring Foraging in Egerton Saturday 21st April Tutor: Steve Kirk In the days before supermarkets and worldwide imports, wild food foraged from the local countryside traditionally formed a large part of our diet. 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. You will also learn about foraging and the law. Meet at Egerton Village Hall 10.00am - 4.00pm £15 per person morning (10-1pm, foraging walk) / £25 per person full day

Introduction to Beekeeping Saturday 21st April Tutor: John Holmes This 8 week course is designed for complete beginners who are looking for a “hands-on” course which will give them the knowledge and confidence to get their first colony of honey bees. Follow the work of Wildwood’s very own beekeeper and learn the skills of this ancient art. Please note that this course takes place outside and is weather dependent. Changes to course dates may need to be made if weather conditions are unsuitable. Post-course advice available. Not suitable for those with medical conditions such as heart conditions, asthma or allergy to bee stings. The course dates will be extended in the case of bad weather. 11.00am-4.00pm £100 per person (for 8 weeks) Dates:  21/4/18; 28/4/18; 5/5/18; 12/5/18; 19/5/18; 26/5/18; 2/6/18; 9/6/18

Introduction to Permaculture Sunday 22nd April Tutor: Jo Barker How Nature is our Teacher. Learn to think like an Ecosystem!  Permaculture is an ecological design system based on the observation and study of natural systems which gives us amazing tools to redesign and solve any (human) problems in an ethical and resilient way. Although it’s been mostly applied to food growing and gardens, we will see how it covers every area of life. We will utilise the habitats at Wildwood and apply some of our learning. 10.00am - 4.00pm £40 per person

An Introduction to Urban Mammals In Partnership with the Mammal Society Saturday 28th April Tutor: Suzanne Kynaston This introductory course looks at the key mammal species which can be observed in our urban environments, their identification by sight and typical signs. It will also include an overview of their ecology, their importance and current threats to their populations and how these can be minimised. It will give an insight into how we observe and record UK urban mammals, including traditional trapping methods, footprint tunnels and camera traps. 9.30am-4.30pm Please book with the Mammal Society  http://www.mammal.org.uk/training/courses/urban-mammals/ £31.91 (Mammal Society members) / £42.15 (non-members)

A Beginner’s Guide to Birdwatching Sunday 29th April Tutor: Simon Ginnaw Have you thought about taking up birdwatching or have recently taken up the hobby and would like to learn more?  Spend the day with ornithologist and international birdwatching guide, Simon Ginnaw, and be inspired to learn how to get the most out of watching our feathered friends.  Find out about identification basics, why songs & calls are so important, bird migration, useful equipment, and how watching birds can aid their conservation.  Discover more about what interests you most in the bird world. 10.00am-4.00pm  £30 per person

Reptile Ecology and Surveying Saturday 12th May Tutor: Mike Phillips 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. 10.00am-4.00pm  £30 per person In partnership with Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group (KRAG)

Plant Identification for Beginners Saturday 19th May Tutor: Dr. Lesley Mason An introduction to Plant Identification for those who want to know how to start identifying flowering plants.  Learn to recognise the parts of plants and useful features that will enable you to decide which family a plant belongs to and help you gain confidence to identify plants to species level.  The use of basic keys will be introduced. This course will also provide a basic grounding in plant ID for those interested in attending our Phase 1 habitat survey course.  Own transport required. 10.00am-4.00pm  £30 per person

Seashore Foraging and Wild Cooking Saturday 19th May Tutor: Steve Kirk Since the era of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, the seashore has been an important foraging resource, not only for shellfish and seaweeds but for edible coastal plants, some of which are the wild ancestors of important domestic crops today. This is an introduction to the sustainable foraging potential of a stretch of stony muddy 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. We will also cover foraging safety and the law, and the wider uses of plants. Meet at Marine Parade, Tankerton, Whitstable, CT5 2BE on the greens facing the Marine Hotel. 10.00am-4.00pm  £25 per person

Introduction to Phase 1 Habitat Survey (part 1) Saturday 2nd June Tutor: Dr Lesley Mason 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). Plant identification for beginners is an ideal precursor to this course. Own transport required. 10.00am-4.00pm  £55 per person (£100 for both days)

Introduction to Phase 1 Habitat Survey (part 2) Saturday 23rd June Tutor: Dr Lesley Mason Aimed at those who are already familiar with Phase 1 habitat survey basics as covered in day 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 habitat types.  The whole day will be spent out 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. 10.00m-4.00pm  £55 per person (£100 for both days)

Important Information: * Minimum age for all courses is 16yrs unless specified. All under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. * All courses are held at Wildwood Trust, unless otherwise specified, and include Wildwood entry fees and materials. Wildwood does not provide transport. * All courses are booked directly with Wildwood unless otherwise stated, please check listing for details. * All courses must be paid for at the time of booking and are non-refundable unless cancelled by Wildwood. * Lunch is not provided. Participants are welcome to bring a packed lunch or purchase lunch in the Wildwood Cafe.

Wildwood Trust Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood: 01227 711 471 courses@wildwoodtrust.org