Woodland Wildlife
Thursday 27 May 2010
Location: The Ebworth Estate, Stroud
Tutor: Debbie Cotton (Education Officer, Royal Forestry Society) and Phil Quinn MIEEM
Level: Beginner
This workshop is being taught by the Royal Forestry Society. It will begin with a morning classroom session covering an introduction to the woodland environment, growth and succession, habitat types, plant communities, ancient woodland indicator species and European Protected Species. Participants will learn about conservation issues such as habitat loss, fragmentation, climate change, invasive species, novel woodland uses, disease threats; and will briefly examine the mitigation measures that have the potential to enhance woodland wildlife. In the afternoon participants will use basic botanical survey and mapping techniques to assess the nature conservation value of nearby woodland.
IEEM and RFS Members: £80 (£70 if booked before 27 March 2010).
Non-members: £160 (£140 if booked before 27 March 2010).
Who should attend this workshop?
- Student ecologists, student foresters, and woodland owners/managers
- Those needing to gain a basic broad understanding of the woodland environment for their work
- Anyone with a serious passion for woodlands
Anything participants need to know/read before coming on the training event, or need to have with them?
Bring:
- Waterproof outdoor clothing
- Pencil and paper
- Stout footwear
- A packed lunch
- A clipboard
This workshop will involve up to three miles of walking on uneven terrain in order to cover a fairly comprehensive range of woodlands. Please note that toilet facilities will be au naturale during the afternoon field visit.
What will participants learn from the workshop (learning outcomes)?
- A sound basic understanding of natural woodland processes and a knowledge of those features most valuable for woodland wildlife.
- An awareness of the key conservation issues regarding woodlands and an appreciation of suitable mitigation measures available to woodland managers.
- Knowledge of how to assess a woodland using botanical survey and basic mapping techniques.
- Species identification field skills.