At Kent Wildlife Trust, we're passionate about learning and committed to strengthening the connection between people and nature through education. As advocates for environmental education in Kent, we believe that an understanding and appreciation of local biodiversity is crucial for nurturing responsible stewards of the planet for future generations. 

One of the most enriching ways students can explore the natural world around them is through hands-on fieldwork experiences. At Kent Wildlife Trust, we recognise the transformative power of outdoor learning, particularly in the context of GCSE and A-level fieldwork studies, which is why we have created two unique fieldwork sessions. These workshops incorporate our groundbreaking Wilder Blean project which saw the introduction of bison to the Blean woodlands as a way of habitat restoration and management.

The Importance of GCSE and A-level Fieldwork

Fieldwork serves as a cornerstone in the educational journey of students pursuing GCSE and A-level qualifications. It provides a bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical application, offering invaluable insights that cannot be replicated within classroom settings alone. Through fieldwork, students develop essential skills such as critical thinking, observation, and data analysis, all while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. Moreover, these experiences often leave a lasting impression, inspiring future environmental stewards and professionals.

Our workshops are designed to align with GCSE and A-level curriculum objectives, offering a range of activities tailored to fit Geography fieldwork objectives. Our workshops provide students with hands-on opportunities to explore the pioneering work which is taking place in the Blean under the guidance of experienced tutors. Our workshops not only enhance academic learning but also assist schools in achieving their broader educational aims. By participating in fieldwork experiences with Kent Wildlife Trust, schools can meet curriculum requirements, enriching their programs with real-world applications of classroom concepts.

GCSE Geography - Bison to the rescue: How will Bison impact the Blean Wood ecosystem?

In this workshop, learners are invited to our West Blean and Thornden Woods site to investigate the impact that the bison (and our other wilder grazers) are having on the species abundance and diversity.

The workshop will begin with discussion around the process of succession and how the process is important in woodland environments to increase the diversity of plant species, as well as increasing the diversity of habitats within the woodland and therefore the diversity of animals species.

One issue currently facing many woodlands across the UK is that when the whole woodland reaches the climax community it forms one closed canopy forest, which decreases diversity. In a healthy woodland there would be natural disturbance, which removes some of the big trees, creating bare ground and beginning the process of succession again.

Currently, the Blean woods has too little natural disturbance. The aim of the introduction of the bison, long horn cattle and iron age pigs will create natural disturbance and in turn create a healthier woodland.

In this GCSE workshop, learners use a range of investigation techniques, including transects and quadrats, to investigate succession in the Blean, measuring species abundance and analyse the potential impacts of the bison and the other wilder grazers in the Blean.

More information can be found here

A-Level Geography - Bison to the Rescue: Woodland Restoration and Carbon Capture

This workshop looks at how the bison are being utilised in the Blean as a nature-based solution to woodland restoration. Learners investigate how woodland restoration is being used as a tool to increase carbon capture in the battle against the current climate crisis.

Learners investigate three distinct areas of the Blean woodland, each with different management strategies, and analyse the impacts of the different management strategies on carbon capture in the Blean.

Learners gather data on how much carbon is stored in the biomass of different trees, using a range of investigation techniques. This data is then extrapolated to build a big picture from which learners analyse the impact of the bison on carbon storage and ultimately answer how the introduction of bison to the Blean might mitigate against the climate crisis.

More information can be found here

These experiences not only deepen students' understanding of the curriculum but also instil a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world. Through our workshops, we strive to facilitate unique outdoor learning experiences that empower students and support schools in achieving their educational goals. Join us this year and be part of one of the most pioneering and forward thinking conservation projects in the UK – the Wilder Blean project.