Wildwood Autumn/Winter Course Programme

CONSERVATION COURSES  September 2019 - February 2020

Wildwood is proud to announce details of their upcoming autumn/winter conservation courses for professionals, students and nature lovers. All levels of experience are welcome to attend. For enquiries, please contact us on 01227 711 471 or email courses@wildwoodtrust.org. Most courses can be booked online at https://wildwoodtrust.shop/collections/conservation-courses

Download and print the full leaflet here

Saturday 28th September Introduction to Spider Identification and Ecology   Learn how to identify British spiders reliably and understand their role in the ecosystem. Spend time out in the field finding spiders in their natural habitats. Guidance will be provided for those interested in becoming involved in spider recording and there will be opportunities to discuss their conservation. Tutor: Steve Kirk 10.00am – 4.00pm £30 per person   Book online

Saturday 19th October Small Mammal Survey Skills   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. Tutor: Suzanne Kynaston 9.30am – 4.30pm £30 per person. (Book together with Kent Mammal ID Course for £50).   Book online

Saturday 26th October Fungi Ecology and Identification   Aimed at beginners, after a presentation to introduce this amazing life form, specimens will be looked at and discussed in the classroom. The course includes a foray in the park and the woods of two hours or more, depending on conditions and a chance to 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 medicine. Tutor: Steve Kirk 10.00am – 4.00pm £30 per person   Book online

Saturday 2nd November 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: Hazel Ryan/Suzanne Kynaston 9.45am - 4.15pm £30 per person (Book together with Small Mammal Survey Skills course for £50).   Book online

Sunday 17th November Linocut Printmaking   Get inspired by British wildlife this winter at Wildwood and produce your own handmade linocut prints, perfect to use as gifts or cards for Christmas! After a walk around Wildwood for inspiration, you will be taken step-by-step through the process of linoprinting black and white designs. You will take home your linoprints and tips on continuing printing. Tutor: Tina Hagger 10.00am – 4.00pm Cost: £40 per person   Book online

Saturday 23rd November Harvest Mouse Ecology and Surveying   In Partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund and Kent Mammal Group (KMG) This course is for anyone wishing to participate in the Kent Harvest Mouse Survey. It will inform you about the key factors affecting the status and distribution of harvest mice in this country. You will have the opportunity to examine a variety of harvest mouse nests and gain the practical surveying experience in the field needed for the survey. Tutor: Steve Kirk 10.00am – 4.00pm Free for survey volunteers

Sunday 24th November Wildwood's Natural Skincare Lab   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. Tutors: Donna Murphy and Helen Lynn 10.00am-3.00pm £40 per person   Book online

Saturday 30th November Rewilding 1: Big Grazers for Big Landscapes   The first of 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, followed by a visit to the Blean Keep an eye out for our third and fourth rewilding courses; Rewilding 3: Are we ready for Lynx? and Rewilding 4: Return of the Wolf. Tutors: Anne Riddell and Vicki Breakell 10.00am – 4.30pm Cost: £30 per person (Book together with Rewilding 2: Bringing Back the Beaver for £50).   Book online

Saturday 7th December Festive Willow Wreaths   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. Tutor: Hazel Ryan 10.30am-1.00pm £25 per person   Book online

Saturday 11th January Small Mammal Survey Skills   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. Tutor: Hazel Ryan/Suzanne Kynaston 9.30am – 4.30pm £30 per person. (Book together with Kent Mammal ID Course for £50).   Book online

Saturday 18th January Rewilding 2: Bringing Back the Beaver   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 a guided tour of Ham Fen by Kent Wildlife Trust. Keep an eye out for our third and fourth rewilding courses; Rewilding 3: Are we ready for Lynx? and Rewilding 4: Return of the Wolf. Tutor: Anne Riddell 10.00am – 4.30pm £30 per person. (Book together with Rewilding 1: Big Grazers for Big Landscapes for £50).   Book online

Saturday 25th January Harvest Mouse Ecology and Surveying   In Partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund and Kent Mammal Group (KMG) This course is for anyone wishing to participate in the Kent Harvest Mouse Survey. It will inform you about the key factors affecting the status and distribution of harvest mice in this country. You will have the opportunity to examine a variety of harvest mouse nests and gain the practical surveying experience in the field needed for the survey. Tutor: Steve Kirk 10.00am – 4.00pm Free for survey volunteers

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).   Book online

Important Information: * Minimum age for all courses is 16yrs 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