Conservation courses
Water Vole Survey, Assessment and Mitigation
Thursday 7th and Friday 8th September
Day 1 – 10.00am - 5pm
Day 2 – 9.00am - 4pm
£200 per person for both days
Tutors: Richard Andrews and Hazel Ryan
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.
Comparative Anatomy
Saturday 14th October
10.00am – 4.00pm
£30.00
Tutor: Anne Riddell
Discover the similarities and differences between human and animal skeletons. Learn how animal bones and skeletons are adapted to the way they move, hunt and what they eat and compare them to humans. Hands-on course with a variety of bone samples to examine.
Harvest Mouse Ecology and Surveying
Saturday 7th October 2023
In partnership with Kent Mammal Group (KMG)
Tutor: Steve Kirk
10.00am – 4.00pm
Free for survey volunteers
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 county. 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. Own transport needed for field visit in the afternoon.
Please email courses@wildwoodtrust.org to book.
Kent Mammal Identification
In partnership with Kent Mammal Group (KMG)
18th November 2023
Tutor: Hazel Ryan
9.45-4.15pm
£30 per person (Book together with Small Mammal Survey Skills course for £50)
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.
Introduction to Birds of Prey
Tuesday 21st November 2023
Tutor: Simon Ginnaw
10am-4pm
Cost: £30 per person
Take a look at the identification and ecology of Britain’s Birds of Prey, from Buzzards to Barn Owls.
Unravel plumages, take a look at habitats, and wonder at each species’ adaptations. Field trip to a
local nature reserve in the afternoon. Own transport required.
Wildwood's Natural Skincare Lab
Saturday 2nd December 2023
Tutors: Donna Murphy and Helen Lynn
10.00am-3.00pm
£40 per person
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.
Small Mammal Survey Skills
Saturday 21st October 2023
In partnership with Kent Mammal Group (KMG)
Tutor: Suzanne Kynaston
9.30am – 4.30pm
£30 per person. (Book together with Kent Mammal ID Course for £50)
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.
UKHab Webinar Training Course
Monday 30th October 2023
Tutor: Lesley Mason PhD ACIEEM – Freelance Botanist & Ecologist - UKHab Accredited Trainer
10am - 3.30pm
Cost: £90
The UK Habitat Classification (UKHab) is a new comprehensive classification system for vegetation
habitats which has many uses in conservation and land management. UKHab is set to replace the
Phase 1 Habitat Survey currently used by ecological consultants in Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
(PEA) of development sites.
UKHab will also be used as part of the Biodiversity Net Gain metric calculation for new
developments.
This one day course comprises 3 Zoom webinar sessions covering:
Introduction and overview of the UKHab
UKHab survey: How to code and map habitats
Using the UKHab Field Key to habitats (includes practical tasks)
Sessions will be 60 to 90mins each to allow time for participant interaction, questions and breaks.
Limited to a maximum of 20 participants. Participants will be contacted via email to arrange webinar
sessions.
NB: Participants may wish to download the UKHab documents in advance of the course from the
website here: https://ukhab.org/
We will be practicing using the Field Key in session 3, so a printout of the key will be very useful.
Combination Small Mammal Survey & Kent Mammal Identification courses
Two-Course Combination (in partnership with Kent Mammal Group)
Cost £50
Please note the calendar selection is set for 21st October, but includes both courses
1. Small Mammal Survey Skills
Saturday 21st October 2023 9.30am-4.30pm
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.
2. Kent Mammal Identification
Saturday 18th November 9.45am-4.15pm
Tutor: Hazel Ryan
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.
Important Information:
- Minimum ages for all courses is 16years unless specified.
- All courses must be paid for at the time of booking and are non-refundable unless cancelled by Wildwood.
- For all online courses, participants will need a webcam and microphone.
If you have any queries about any courses, please get in touch via email at courses@wildwoodtrust.org.