Wildwood Conservation Courses Spring 2020

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Wildwood Conservation Courses March - June 2020

Wildwood is proud to announce details of their upcoming 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.org/product-category/courses/

Download our courses leaflet here

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. 9.30am-4.30pm Tutor: Simon Ginnaw £50 per person Book now

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. (Book together with Rewilding 4: Return of the Wolf for £50) 10.00am – 4.00pm              Tutor: Anne Riddell £30 per person Book now

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. 2.00pm – 8.00pm              Tutor: Mike Phillips £30 per person Book now

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. 10.00am – 4.00pm              Tutor: Simon Ginnaw £30 per person Book now

Sunday 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 10.00am – 2.00pm              Tutor: Langan Turner £40 per person Buy now

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. (Book together with Rewilding 3: Are we ready for Lynx? for £50) 10.00am – 4.00pm              Tutor: Anne Riddell £30 per person Book now

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 11.00am – 4.00pm              Tutor: John Holmes £100 per person Book now

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. 10.00am – 4.00pm              Tutor: Jo Barker £40 per person Book now

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. 10.00am – 4.00pm              Tutor: Steve Kirk £30 per person Book now

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. Day 1 – 10.00am – 5.00pm Day 2 – 9.00am – 4.00pm             Tutors: Richard Andrews and Hazel Ryan £150 per person Book now

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. 10.00am – 4.00pm              Tutor: Mike Phillips £30 per person Book now

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. 10.00am – 1.00pm              Tutors: Suzanne Kynaston and Lorraine Foster £20 per person Book now

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. 10.00am – 4.00pm              Tutor: Dr. Lesley Mason £30 per person Book now

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. Meet at Marine Parade, Tankerton, Whitstable, CT5 2BE on the greens facing the Marine Hotel. 9.45am – 4.00pm (please be prompt as the tide will be about to turn) Tutor: Steve Kirk £30 per person Book now

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 10.00am – 4.00pm              Tutor: Dr. Lesley Mason £55 per person per day (£100 for both days) Book now

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 2019 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 10.00am – 4.00pm              Tutor: Dr. Lesley Mason £55 per person per day (£100 for both days) Book now

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