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Patterns in Nature – A training day engaging personal relationship to ecology. For professionals and non-professionals
Dates TBC
The aim of this training is to broaden our knowledge, familiarity and personal connection to wildlife, habitats, ecology and landscapes. There is no requirement for prior ecological or natural history knowledge, only a keen desire to learn and this training wont overload you with jargon.
Feedback from previous training “It felt like a conversation rather than a lesson and I’ve come away with lots” “Geology, senses, feelings, smells, names, structure, biodiversity, etc. etc. so much more than a grab this knowledge and go home experience”
The approach to the ecological training that I provide allows for people to learn in whatever way naturally suits them best. Rather than being an exercise in remembering a long list of names and concepts, the training allows people to embed and assimilate knowledge according to their own relationship with nature. In other words the learning comes from the experience, that of the day and what we already hold, and we all hold more understanding of the natural world than we may think. Feedback is demonstrating that what is really important for people is engaging their personal relationship to ecology, from this we tap into our innate capacities and open up our ability, giving us access to build our ecological confidence and so retain ecological knowledge.
Who is this for? This training will suit beginners and those with more familarity alike.
Whilst most people can tell a broadleaf from a conifer wood at a distance without any thought, but it may be assumed that to tell one species of grass or moss from another one must have some special capacity. This can lead to the assumption that only certain people can do this. However, there is nothing mysterious about recognising the repeating patterns in nature, we all do it, perhaps without even realising we are doing it.
The training content will provide the participants with a brief, practical overview of the science of ecology using commonly occurring habitats and species as the example. It will do this by familiarising participants with the practice of actively noticing the repeating patterns that are found in nature. Learning to actively recognise these patterns will allow us to become aware of the similarities and differences and of moving between differing habitat types.
We will notice that the patterning we see may be influenced by factors such as aspect, soils, geology, sunshine, rainfall etc. and may also be affected by human intervention.
The day will start by looking a the differences we notice in the wider landscape, with broad habitat differences and discuss what we see. Following this our focus will be directed to the habitats and species in our immediate location, asking participants to again share what they notice, using this to build up a group “picture” of what we find, sharing our knowledge. We will see that many species from associations and occur as communities and as we move we will notice this repetition and association.
Whilst vision is the primary sense used, you will be encouraged to use all relevant senses, recognising plants using not only the colour, shape, structure but also texture, taste, smell and sound.
Outcomes. By the end of this training you will:
- Be attuned to recognise vegetation patterning and structure, recognising differing habitats and species and subtle ecological change as you move in the land.
- Have learnt to recognise some of the key species that tell us about the habitats we are in and about the changes between habitats.
- Increase the awareness of your own capacities to interact with the detail of nature and how to support your continued learning.
“This course not only enhanced my understanding of habitats and species but also, importantly, expanded my comfort when uncomfortable! By this I mean: experiencing for myself the management of risk I advocate in others; feeling safe to share ideas free from fear of scrutiny, criticism or a sense of failure; the liberation of being – simply being – in a wild yet wonder-filled landscape. I began the day in much ignorance and left feeling enlightened in so many ways!”
Nick worked as a professional ecologist for 25 years carrying out field survey on a wider range of UK habitats and sites, both of local and national importance, offering nature conservation and ecological land management advice, ecological training and mentoring. Re-training as a nature connection/wellbeing practitioner he blends these skills using aspects of both these disciplines to connect people to each other, to nature, the land and the living world around us.
Costs
There are three cost options, Standard, Reduced and Low Cost. Why? This introduces a chance for us to approach money in a slightly different way, relying on trust and fairness, and can set the cost in line with financial capacities.
If you can afford it please pay the Standard Cost. If you cannot afford this then there is the Reduced Cost or Low Cost. The Low Cost option is offered to support those who may otherwise be excluded from this type of event. It is for you to decide, trusting you value the benefits of what is offered.
Standard cost is £25, Reduced is £20 and Low is £10
To Book a place please call Nick on 07768 822 340 or email nick@wildpace.co.uk
Format for the Day
Start 10am
Intros and overview of the day
Content will cover:
Brief introduction to Ecology
Broad Habitats – landscape scale to the immediate
Plant association and communities
Physical structures – repeating patterns
How to recognise some key species
Moving between habitats and reaffirming associations
Round up
Finish 3pm
There is no certification for this training.
Please bring what you need to make yourself comfortable and dress for the weather and terrain. Please bring lunch as needed.
The meeting point will be confirmed with bookings
If you would like to know more please call Nick on 07768 822 340