Tending & Ecology CPD workshop (for adults)

Course dates July 9th 2023, 9.30-2.30pm Forest Row, East Sussex. Location announced upon booking

Price Options

£55-£80 (sliding scale)

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Wildlife recording and habitat tending at Children’s Forest

About the course

Guided by ecologist Tom Forward, this practical day will be an introduction to identifying easy-to-do species groups and common survey tools and methodologies for recording wildlife at your site. Turn species data into biological records using a free online platform to store and share information.

Understanding more about the wildlife and habitats present at your site can help inform tending actions, so tips on child and volunteer-friendly tasks will be covered.

Who is this course suitable for?

  • This course is suitable for adults, no experience necessary.
  • This is great opportunity for outdoor education practitioners seeking to grow their own knowledge or looking for tips to engage children and young people in natural history.

The course will cover

  • Learn practical guidance on species identification and recommended identification books, apps and wildlife recording platforms.
  • Explore survey tools plus methodologies for recording wildlife at your site.
  • Learn about equipment (including trail cameras, refugia, sweep nets, catch and release traps)
  • Experience hand tools and small-scale habitat creation.
  • Create an opportunity to engage in simple nature connection.
  • Connecting with like-minded community.

Course fees:

£55 – £80 (sliding scale)

  • Standard fee: £70
  • Supporters fee: £80
  • Supported fee: £55

We committed to making this work as accessible and inclusive as possible therefore have a number of concessionary spaces reserved for those in financial need, plus one fully funded space. Please enquire at [email protected].

Please pay at the level comfortable to you. We support paying it forward – when you pay more as a supporter, it will directly facilitate someone else to attend via the supported (concessionary) rate. And all additional income will directly help with the planting of Children’s Forests, contributing towards a bright future for all.

About the tutor


Tom Forward: Tom Forward is a freelance ecologist, wildlife guide and outdoor educator who brings with him 20 years of experience in the field. He loves sharing his passion for the natural world with people of all ages, helping them develop wildlife identification and practical conservation skills. He specialises in birds, and bird call mimicry is his party trick. Instagram @forward.tom

Testimonials

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“I love everything about Children’s Forest's courses. These immersive nature days are filled with so much enchantment and joy that leave me feeling deeply connected to the more than human world and to my true self as an inseparable part of nature. I particularly adore singing tree songs together, which feels like a beautiful way of reciprocating the many gifts the trees offer us. I've shared with my children and they are now Children's Forests biggest fans!"

Rachel P
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Upcoming courses

April 13 2026, 4-6pm

'Greet the Trees' Spring term (for community)

£10 drop-in per family, £35 block booking.

Weekly outdoor education sessions with games, songs, stories, crafts, food and tree tending as we experience the gifts of the trees.

Find out more

October 13-14th 2026, 10-4pm

Forests From Seed: 2-day workshop (for adults)

Standard fee: £120, Supporters fee: £160. Supported fee: £90

Located at our small tree nursery, participants will learn how to set up their own, for a school, forest school, community or even in their garden. We will learn how to respectfully forage, process and germinate tree seeds and also to use the fruits and nuts for food and medicine. We will look at different ways of treating various kinds of seed in order to germinate and grow them into saplings and how to tend the growing trees for optimal health of future forest plantings.

Find out more

Oct 15-18th 2026

Three day Facilitator Training Course 2026

Standard: £600, Supported: £750, limited concessionary spaces

This immersive 3-day camp in a beautiful woodland while experiencing the four step journey of the Children’s Forest. Experience deep nature connection practice, practical knowledge and indigenous wisdom.

Find out more