New Invasives and Non Natives Training Announced
Our sister partnership Medway Valley Countryside Partnership (MVCP) is pleased to announce two Invasive and Non Native Species (INNS) training dates in May 2013.
This one day training will cover the identification, ecology and control of three species that are a particular threat to the riparian environment, namely:
- Giant Hogweed
- Japanese Knotweed
- Himalayan Balsam.
The training is targeted at professionals who are either running, or seeking to run programmes to control these invasive species, capitalising on our 10 years of experience in this field. The day will comprise a classroom session in the morning where all aspects of control will be covered, including the latest legislation and control methods. This will be followed by an afternoon session identifying plants in the field.
The training will be led by Project Officer Mark Gallant who has many years experience in this field.
Dates: 10th or 17th May
Cost £45 per delegate
Training location: Shoreham, Kent
Please contact MVCP for full details 01622 683695 and to book your place.
Internal Drainage Board Training
We are also now offering a one day training course targeted at Internal Drainage Board staff. This will cover the identification, ecology and control of some non-native and invasive species. There will also be a session on identifying field signs for threatened native species which they might encounter during the course of their work such as the water vole. Plants covered will include giant hogweed and water fern, animals, mink and mitten crabs.
The training is targeted primarily at professionals who are either engaged in habitat maintenance and drainage control work. However the course may also be of interest to other practitioners in this field, students or members of the public.
The day will comprise a classroom session in the morning where the ecology of the species concerned will be covered, including the latest legislation and statutory requirements. This will be followed by an afternoon field session identifying plants, field signs and animals.
The training will be led by our Project Officer Mary Tate who has more than five years experience in this field and has successfully delivered this training to a group of lDB staff in Kent in 2012
Date: Monday 13th May
Cost £45 per delegate
Training location: Shoreham, Kent
Please contact MVCP for full details 01622 683695 and to book your place.
Education and learning
We work very closely with schools across all boroughs in our area. This can involve simple visits to discuss any conservation projects you have in mind or developing and leading educational events at your school. We can talk to school assemblies, or help with more complex projects like designing and building school willdlife gardens - while helping you to source the funding to realise your hopes and aspirations.
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Kent Downs AONB
Our colleagues at the Kent Downs AONB have now completed their Education Project which brought over 27 primary school visits to Kent Downs sites amounting to more than 800 school children.
Their new website details 26 different walks across the Downs suitable for a day out with Key Stage 2 primary school kids. There is also a choice of 6 curriculum related activity sheets for the field or the classroom.
All the walks are designed to be self-leading for the schools but we all know that teachers often prefer to have someone accompany them.
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