Grass identification study day where woman is holding up grasses and a microscope sits beside her
Ross Hoddinott

Wildlife Study Days

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.

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.

Our Study Days offer the chance to enhance your wildlife knowledge, identification and management skills.  Our face to face courses are held outside or in our centres across the county and we are now also offering courses online. 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.

Please note that only adults aged 18 and over can now attend our Study Days.  This is for safeguarding and insurance reasons.

Upcoming Study Days

View all study days

Botany Evening Classes - Maidstone

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Our Botany Evening Classes cover the Botanical identification of wild and naturalised British plants.

Botany Class
Alex Lockton

Botany Evening Classes - Canterbury

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Our Botany Evening Classes cover the Botanical identification of wild and naturalised British plants.

Green winged orchids at Marden Meadow
Green winged orchids at Marden Meadow

UK Habitat Classification (UKHab) Online Training Course

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An online training day on the UK Habitat Classification, a new comprehensive classification system for vegetation habitats used in conservation and land management

Common Toad
David Sewell

Amphibian Ecology and Survey Techniques

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This course will help you understand the importance of habitats to the different amphibians. You will learn how to recognize the key species and be part of a torchlight survey at Vinters Valley Nature Reserve.

Mountain view from Yangthang, Ladakh
Geoff Downer

An Introduction to Geology

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Investigate rocks and minerals and learn about fossils and plate tectonics

Water vole
©Margaret Holland

Introduction to Water Vole ecology and surveys

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Learn about European Water Voles: their ecology, field signs and survey methods. Then put into practice what you have learned in an outdoor survey

Introduction to Solitary Bees

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There are around 250 species of solitary bee. Find out how to identify them and where to find them, and learn about their ecology.

Responsible Beginners' Beekeeping

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An introductory course for anyone interested in learning more about bees and the craft of beekeeping.

Lichens for beginners

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Make a start on identifying these notoriously difficult yet intriguing, beautiful and environmentally sensitive plants.

Broad-leaved Trees in Spring

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Make a start on identifying these notoriously difficult yet intriguing, beautiful and environmentally sensitive plants.

Cliffs at Reculver (G Downer)

The Geology of Kent

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An illustrated review of the geology of the Kentish landscape from the oldest rocks to the youngest sediments

Other courses and programmes

Botany study day with lots of plants laid out on a table with a screen and microscope
Alex Lockton

Botany Classes

Information page

Our Botany Classes cover the Botanical identification of wild and naturalised British plants. Participants will learn how to confidently identify and record plants and seek confirmation when necessary.

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Frequently asked questions

The prices for our normal Study Days are as follows:

  • Standard fee: £37.50 per person per day.
  • Concessionary fee: Kent Wildlife Trust volunteers, senior citizens, unemployed and students £5 off.

Prices for our other courses vary.  Please visit the relevant page for further details on pricing for a particular course or event, and note that a concessionary rate is not given for these.

Proceeds from our Wildlife Study Day programme support the wider work of the Kent Wildlife Trust.

Please book places on our courses online via the individual Study Day webpage. 

If you have problems booking online, please email [email protected] stating the course you wish to book and a contact phone number.

Places on our courses are limited and booking is essential.   Many courses are very popular, so early booking is recommended.

Please note that we need at least 10 working days' notice of cancellation for refunds or transfers to another day.  This is because we need time to find someone to take your place and so cover the course costs. 

Please note that we need at least 10 working days' notice of cancellation for refunds or transfers to another day.  This is because we need time to find someone to take your place and so cover the course costs.