Mini-hazel hurdles under construction plus campfire lunch during our level 3 Forest School course
It is all about delivery - Duncan Coleman Forest School blog
So, it’s been a long time since the last blog post and for this I apologise. We have been so busy with all the Forest School Level 3 course delivery this year, particularly with our Stoke based “Strong Roots, Better Futures” project.
With have two cohorts of Strong Roots, Better Futures Level 3 learners currently, with another two cohorts starting later this month and in July. Therefore, it’s all go here regarding our accredited Forest School Level 3 training. As usual, we also have a regular cohort of Level 3 learners expected on our Autumn course later this year. So over the course of 2019, will be training up to 80 Forest School leaders.
With have two cohorts of Strong Roots, Better Futures Level 3 learners currently, with another two cohorts starting later this month and in July. Therefore, it’s all go here regarding our accredited Forest School Level 3 training. As usual, we also have a regular cohort of Level 3 learners expected on our Autumn course later this year. So over the course of 2019, will be training up to 80 Forest School leaders.
Wild Woods Cooking
We have recently been out in the woods trying out new recipes and making the most out of the freely available spring wild food (such as Wild Garlic, Stinging Nettles, Dandelions and Goose Grass)
Wild Garlic damper breads
Leek and Potato Soup with Stinging Nettle
I have also recently been filming some Twitch videos with Aimee Louise Booth demonstrating basic Forest School and Bushcraft skills to help promote Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and the work we do across the county. You can find our most recent wild food foraging video at the link below:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/415226295##
We are looking forward to filming more Twitch videos over the summer months, which will include making cordage from Stinging Nettle and Bramble and more wild food campfire cooking.
Calling all Wildings!
Wildlings is our outdoor play group with a Staffordshire Wildlife Trust twist. Toddlers are encouraged to discover, explore and play outdoors and take the lead whilst their grown ups take a step back. Toddlers can choose what activities they want to do and when whether that be making mud pies for the full session to sitting watching the fire and eating snacks (toddlers do love their snacks). I absolutely love Wildlings as you get to witness their imaginations being ignited whether that be through find a worm to making music on the music wall.
We run Wildlings in various locations and under different projects as well as some self funded sessions.The Wolseley Centre, Highgate Common and coming soon Biddulph Grange Country Park are all self funded.
The Roaches, Hem Heath Woods, Lyme Park are funded by Children in Need or The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
To find out more about Wildlings and if you have a your own Wildling then book them on to one of our next sessions- https://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/events
Fires! Be careful
Just a little reminder for everyone to be super vigilant and careful with fires in the coming months. Already some heathland and moorland fires have caused issues and made it into the national news, hopefully we will be getting some much needed rain in the coming weeks.
Just remember to always have the landowner’s permission to have a fire. Keep it fit for purpose and under control. Make sure you have all your fire safety and control kit at hand. Call in controlled burns to the local fire service. I would also recommend a raised fire pit, so no heat transfer into the ground and remove all ashes and signs of a fire from a site. Leave no trace!
