Red Squirrel Babies Go Wild!

Red Squirrel Babies Go Wild!

It is with great hope that Wildwood keepers, Judy & Amanda, say goodbye to two of this year's red squirrel babies as we hand them over to the project team from Natural Resource Wales. This ground breaking project sees a vital release to support red squirrels and save them from extinction. Once again Wildwood Trust is leading the fight to reverse extinction & rewild Britain! Donate today towards saving red squirrels:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=X6HFKZ3RLW6ZG   Our baby squirrels, which we caught on camera earlier this year, are all grown up now and off to Wales for release to a secret woodland site! We are so proud of our team making a real difference! Watch on Youtube:     Wildwood Trust has helped repopulate the North Wales Island of Anglesey with red squirrels over the last 12 years, but as the native reds recolonise the mainland, Wildwood is now providing red squirrels to give support to their expansion and ensure their spread throughout the U.K.   Wildwood Trust has been successfully breeding red squirrels for over 14 years, and visitors have been thrilled to see the antics of the new baby red squirrels born earlier this year. Reversing 100 years of near extinction is one of the main charitable goals of Wildwood Trust and it is great news for the future that now grown up, these captive-bred animals have been sent for reintroduction. Living wild and free, these animals will help form a buffer population to safeguard the species against national extinction. Red squirrels went extinct in Kent in the 1960s, but many can still remember them from their childhood when Kent once teemed with these beautiful acrobats of the trees! You can make a donation to help our efforts and help to get red squrrels back to Kent one day:  Secure online donation: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=X6HFKZ3RLW6ZG

Wildwood Trust Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 Wildwood Devon: 01404 822 188 info@wildwoodtrust.org

Newsletter - September

Newsletter - September 2017

Welcome to the September edition of our newsletter. Summer is well and truly over now, but we're still busy at Wildwood and have plenty of news to report! If you wish to know more about any of our stories or The Wildwood Trust in general, then please feel free to email us at info@wildwoodtrust.org Thanks for reading and for your continued support. We'll see you again soon!

Wildcat enclosure We've upgraded our main wildcat enclosure, which is next to the rat barn. There are plenty of new play things and structures to provide them with entertainment and enrichment. They're loving the new additions!

Wolves get an upgrade The upgrade to our wolf enclosure continues! Our two young wolves, Nuna and Odin, will soon have a massive area to strut around in and, hopefully, birth a new wolf pack for next year. We're currently removing parts of the old enclosure and preparing the ground for the new fencing which will be going in soon. The plans are coming together on schedule and we should be ready for the New Year.

Pine martens are lively The cooler weather isn't great for us, but it leads a lot of our animals to be more active. The Pine Martens have been particularly lively at the moment. Come down and see if you can spot all of them. Top tip - late afternoon is when they're most likely to be awake.

Otter update Freya, our female otter that sleeps all day, is starting to venture out in daylight! Here she is bonding (from a distance) with Loki. Shouldn't be long until they are playing in the pond together...

Grotto bookings now being taken We are pleased to announce that our legendary hand-crafted Santa's Grotto is now ready to book for 2017! Email us at help@wildwoodtrust.org or phone 01227 209621 to find out more or to make a booking. More information can be found on our website at https://wildwoodtrust.org/things-do/christmas-grotto Find out more

Halloween half-term Half-term is already fast approaching and we have plenty to do at Wildwood. There are events, folklore animal talks, a medieval weekend, pumpkin competition, fancy dress and FREE trail. Find out more

Rewilding conference A brilliant day was had at the rewilding conference organised by the Wildwood education team and hosted by DICE, University of Kent. Exciting presentations from the speakers that provided much 'food for thought' - hopefully we will have the presentations up on the web soon!

Ham Fen beavers Delegates to our rewilding conference also discovered the amazing transformation of Ham Fen thanks to our beavers. The site is not yet open to the public, but you can get in touch with Kent Wildlife Trust to find out more.

Volunteering Another massive thank you to all of our volunteers who make our work as a charity so much easier. Kent Student Union staff cleared the old mink enclosure for the imminent arrival of new terrapins and cut browse to feed to the pygmy goats. NatWest staff volunteered to help clear out our old wolf enclosure and bear enclosure. They both did a fantastic job! Click to volunteer

Konik horses at Stodmarsh These before and after images are thanks to Paul Jay, who has been photo documenting the improvements that our Konik horses have been making to the Stodmarsh marshland.

Saving dormice How do you stop an animal going extinct? Louisa Britton from KMTV finds out about the amazing work of Wildwood Trust housing Britain's most successful dormouse rescue and breeding centre. Check out the video

Picture of the month

Wildwood Trust Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 Wildwood Devon: 01404 822 188 info@wildwoodtrust.org

Conservation Courses Oct 2017 - Jan 2018

CONSERVATION COURSES  OCTOBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018

Wildwood is proud to announce details of their upcoming Autumn and Winter 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

Small Mammal Survey Skills Saturday 7th October 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 28.10.17 for £50

Water Vole Ecology, Conservation and Handling Saturday 14th October Tutor: Hazel Ryan Suitable for all levels of experience, this informative one day course focuses on one of our most iconic river dwelling mammals, the water vole. The course includes information on identifying field signs, habitat requirements, their ecology, legal protection and their predators and threats. The course will also include an opportunity to see captive water voles in situ at Wildwood and handle/sex a water vole under supervision. 9.30am - 4.30pm Please book with the Mammal Society on 023 8023 7874 or www.mammal.org.uk Price: Student Members & Concessions /Members/ Non-members – £94/£109/£159 * In partnership with The Mammal Society.

Introduction to Forest Gardening Sunday 15th October Tutor: Jo Barker 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. We will cover: 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. 10.00am - 4.00pm £40 per person

Fungi Ecology and Identification part 1 Saturday 21st October Tutor: Steve Kirk Aimed at beginners, after a presentation to introduce this amazing life form we will look at and discuss some specimens in the classroom before venturing on a foray in the park and the woods of two hours or more, depending on conditions. We will observe fungi in situ and make a collection. Participants will have the opportunity to take digital photographs and notes as they are given insights into how to identify fungi as well as background information on their ecology, history, folklore and uses, including as food and as medicine.This course will be held at Mote Park in Maidstone.  11.00am - 4.00pm £30 per person (£50 for both part 1 and part 2)

Kent Mammal Identification Saturday 28th October 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 (Book together with Small Mammal Survey Skills course 7.10.17 for £50). * In partnership with Kent Mammal Group (KMG)

Fungi Ecology and Identification part 2 Saturday 4th November Tutor: Steve Kirk Aimed at intermediate level – for those who have completed part 1 or who have been on previous forays who wish to expand their knowledge. This course will include an extensive foray in the park and woods, including drawing fungi. More scientific terms will be applied than in part 1. Participants will be introduced to some simple chemical tests to assist in the identification of certain species. They will also be taught how to make spore prints and will examine spores under the microscope to understand their use in the identification process. 10.00am - 4.00pm £30 per person (£50 for both part 1 and part 2)

Natural Skin Products and Remedies Sunday 26th November Tutors: Donna Murphy and Helen Lynn Make your own lip balm, body scrub, herbal ointment and more, using certified organic, Fairtrade and local ingredients and discover the importance of avoiding harmful ingredients found in some shop-bought products for your health, for wildlife and the environment. Take home what you make as gifts or to pamper yourself and some recipes to make at home. Learn about current campaigns to limit or prevent the use of harmful ingredients and how you can minimise your own exposure by sourcing safer alternatives or making your own! Also some tips on how to use plants from your garden or local area in your products. 10.00am - 3.00pm £40 per person

Festive Willow Wreaths Saturday 9th December Tutor: Hazel Ryan Use locally grown colourful willow and dogwood stems to make a re-usable wreath base then decorate it with natural materials, all sourced locally. Take it home to hang on your front door or as a table decoration.  Materials provided. 10.30am - 1.00pm £25 per person

Small Mammal Survey Skills Saturday 13th January Tutor: Hazel Ryan 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 10.2.17 for £50.

Blame the Ice Age Saturday 27th January Tutor: Anne Riddell How did the Ice Age influence the mammal fauna of Britain? How was it woolly mammoths walked here, followed by the mammals we find today, but the humble house mouse was caught out by rising seas? This course also explores modern science's plans to bring back those Ice Age giants. 10.30am - 4.00pm £30 per person

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 (Book together with Small Mammal Survey Skills course for £50).

Living Willow Structures Date and venue to be confirmed Tutor: Hazel Ryan Learn how to create living garden features such as an arbour, tunnel or 'fedge' (living fence). Locally grown willow of different colour varieties 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

Important Information: * Minimum age for all courses is 18yrs unless specified. All under 18s 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