Delve deeper into our natural world
Nature is in trouble! Discover how you can protect wildlife for the future by attending one of our Study Days.
Increase your knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of Kent’s wild plants and animals - and learn how to manage habitats to encourage them.
Photo by Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION
Our Courses and Programmes
Wildlife Study Days are designed to help the people of Kent to learn more about the wildlife of the county. Beginners are very welcome and those with some experience will be able to improve their knowledge and identification techniques.
Leaders are knowledgeable in their own topics but are also pleased to discuss other points of interest as they arise. We aim to create an informal atmosphere in which everyone can progress at their own speed.
2018 Study Days
Our study days are held outside or in our centres across the county and offer the chance to enhance your wildlife knowledge, identification and management skills.
Saturday 23 June in 2018, 10.30 am till 4pm: Ecology of Bumblebees and their Identification for Beginners
Learn about the ecology of these insects and how to identify the big seven. Includes an update on the Bombus subterraneus reintroduction project. Nikki Gammans, Bumblebee Project Officer and Geoff Allen Entomologist.
Sunday 24 June 2018, 10am till 4pm: Grasses
Learn to identify a range of common and uncommon grasses, using keys and specimens and practising your skills in the field. Alex Lockton.
Saturday 30th June 2018, 10am till 3/4pm: Kentish Butterflies
Learn more about the butterflies and their habitats and identify some of the common and possibly rarer species of chalk grassland habitat at a mid-Kent reserve. Bryan Bullen, Naturalist.
Wednesday 4th July 2018, 10.30 – 3/4pm: Chalk Grassland Flowers
An introduction to plants of chalk grassland in Kent, the reasons why this habitat is so special, and the key plants that define the richest habitat. Classroom studies and fieldwork. Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Fackenden Down and Magpie Bottom reserve. Joyce Pitt, Botanist.
Sunday 15th July 2018, 10am till 3/4pm: Sedges and Rushes
Sedges and rushes are found in many of our wilder, unimproved habitats and they are often unfairly dismissed or overlooked. It seems a pity not to get to know these species better. Tyland Barn. Suitable for beginners and improvers. Ros Bennett, Botanist.
Saturday 21st July 2018, 10.30 – 2/3pm: Dragonflies
Learn more about the dragonflies and damselflies of this good wetland habitat in NW Kent. Weather permitting, spot and identify some of the common species through binoculars and close-up. Suitable for beginners and improvers. Shorne Woods Country Park. Bryan Bullen, Naturalist.
Friday 27th July 2018,10am till 4pm: An Introduction to Chalk Downland for Beginners
Discover why chalk downland is so special for wildlife and learn how to identify some of the characteristic wildflowers and butterflies that occur in this habitat. Suitable for beginners. Temple Ewell. Tony Swandale, formerly East Kent Area Warden for Kent Wildlife Trust.
Monday 6th August 2018, 10.30 – 3/4pm: Ecology of Bumblebees and their Identification for Intermediates
An identification day to all bumblebee species of Britain, includes in depth ecology and lifecycle and update on Bombus subterraneus reintroduction project. Suitable for intermediates can identify the big seven and wish to further their skills in other bumblebee species. Suitable for improvers, Tyland Barn and Bluebell Hill. Nikki Gammans, Bumblebee Project Officer and Geoff Allen Entomologist.
Monday 20th August 2018, 10.30 am till 3/4pm: Docks and Goosefoots
On this course, participants will learn more about plants which usually regarded simply as arable weeds - goosefoots, knotweeds, bistorts and docks plus some fascinating coastal plants.
Prices and Booking
Prices
- Normal fee: £33 per person per day.
- Concessionary fee: Kent Wildlife Trust volunteers, senior citizens, unemployed and students £5 off.
Courses running until the end of March will be charged at the previous rate of £28.
If you are booking through your employer, a corporate rate will apply. An invoice can be supplied.
Corporate rate: £70 per day.
Proceeds from our Wildlife Study Day programme support the wider work of the Trust.
How do I book?
You can book your place online through the event listing for each individual study day course, or by calling us on 01622 662012 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5:30pm).
Each day is usually limited to 15 places, with 6 as the normal minimum to proceed. We encourage booking online and you will receive further information 10 days prior to the event date. Many courses are very popular, so early booking is recommended.
There is an administration charge of £5 for all booking cancellations. Please note that we will be unable to give refunds or transfers to another day for cancellations with less than 10 working days' notice.