‘Tending the Land’ Conservation day at Hackhurst Farm

Course dates Sept 20th 2025, 10-3pm Hackhurst Farm, nr Hailsham

Price Options

By donation

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About the day

This educational day will take place at a local Sussex Children’s Forests where we will learn ecological and connective practices to tend the land, our relationships to each other and the natural world. You will learn seasonally appropriate ecological surveying methods and practices, plus practical hands-on habitat creation methods.

Guided by ecologist and naturalist Tom Forward and the Children’s Forest team we will explore foraging, tracking and ancestral skills together with practical management of the young forests and habitat creation to support biodiversity. These days are fully funded and would benefit outdoor educators, Children’s Forest guardians and anyone interested in developing ecological understanding and deeper connection to the land.

This day is one of six conservation days that we are holding across the Children’s Forest sites in East Sussex. You are welcome to join as many as you like as each session will take place in a different season and landscape, so will offer unique learning opportunities (see further dates listed below).

Who is this day suitable for?

  • This course is suitable for adults, particularly outdoor educators, Children’s Forest guardians and anyone interested in developing ecological understanding and deeper connection to the land.

The day will cover

  • Learn ecological practices including foraging, tracking, ancestral skills
  • Learn practical management of a young forest
  • Explore habitat creation to support biodiversity.
  • Create an opportunity to engage in simple nature connection practices
  • Connecting with local community

Course Fee

By donation.

These days are generously funded by the National Lottery Awards for All, which enable us to offer these days for free. Fully funded places are available and if you feel called to offer an exchange and are able to, we welcome any donations to support our work in planting trees with children. Thank you.

Further dates

  • October 18th at Sawpits Woods, Hartfield

Terms & Conditions

Please read our Terms and conditions, linked here.

About the tutors


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

Anna Richardson: Anna has been a nature mentor and trained forest school leader for over 20 years, working with children of all ages and mentoring adults in plant lore, foraging, nature connection and bushcraft. The 8 Shields deeply informs Anna’s work and approach.  She is passionate about connecting to nature through creativity and reverence for life and is also a forest school trainer through Circle of Life Rediscovery and has co-authored two books : Learning with Nature and The Children’s Forest and is the founder of the Children’s Forest.

Jen Beaufoy Jen is a nature mentor working for children and adults, has worked as a permaculture designer and teacher, and is also a home educating mum. Jen is passionate about caring for Earth and for people and feels it is a great privilege to facilitate people’s connection to nature and witness what it brings forth.

Testimonials

Slide 1

“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
Slide 2

"A really wonderful day connecting with trees and learning more about our own indigenous traditions too. I'd highly recommend these workshop for anyone looking for a couple of hours escape - I arrived exhausted and left energised and rejuvenated!"

Lucy R
Slide 3

"I've attended numerous Children’s Forest short courses and each time I leave brimming with inspiration and new knowledge that I can't wait to share with my family and the groups I teach. I've learned so much from the wealth of wisdom they share on tree lore, responsible foraging and some truly connective nature crafts, games and songs that will really enrich my educational groups!"

Sally B
Slide 1

“Thank you so much Children’s Forest, the days you bring feel very special, like a forest school for adults. Beautiful beloved songs sung from the heart, weaving and connecting hearts together, hands on experience with nature from source to creation, gathering in circle and being truly human and releasing all the bliss you have inside can be shared.”

Jo P
Slide 1

"I loved learning how to process and eat the nourishing acorns on the acorn workshop. The Children's Forest course was fun and left me with skills that I will be using for the rest of my life!"

Millie D
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