This two-day Phase 1 Habitat Survey course is a must for professional ecologists, students interested in ecology, land managers, landowners and anyone interested in habitat survey.

Phase 1 Habitat Survey is the industry standard used by ecologists across the UK to classify and map habitats; many employers regard it as an essential skill for employment. Yet it is rarely taught on undergraduate degrees, and most available Phase 1 courses are only run for one day.

Phase 1 produces a baseline for further survey work as well as a foundation for developing management plans and monitoring schemes. Ecological consultancies use Phase 1 to identify habitats threatened by development and guide mitigation proposals.

By spending two days on Denmark Farm’s range of habitats, we will be able to combine theory with practical field experience in both indoor and outdoor sessions. We will learn key indicator species for a number of habitats and create our own maps. We will cover practical aspects of survey, such as planning, equipment, best practice and, crucially, how to write up reports. There will be plenty of time to discuss how the technique can be applied to your specific needs and interests. Along with traditional methods, we will explore the digital Phase 1 Habitat Survey toolkit (free version: see http://www.brookes.ac.uk/bms/specialist-services/ceec/phase-one-habitat-...) and QGIS mapping.
A basic botanical knowledge will help you to get the most out of the course, but not essential.

It is essential to bring a copy of the Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey – it is available as a free download at:
http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/PDF/pub10_handbookforphase1habitatsurvey.pdf or to purchase from:
https://www.nhbs.com/handbook-for-phase-1-habitat-survey-handbook-and-fi...

Build Camp is the Permaculture approach to building; something between a working holiday, a roundwood timber framing course and crowdfunding project. We’ll be working as a team while the tutors develop your greenwood building skills, tools technique and building site knowledge. Anyone regardless of skill level is welcome at Build Camp which is also the training for Free Build. Together we’ll build parts of a roundhouse for a charitable organisation or school.

Many local, educational organisations are too short of funds to develop outdoor classrooms for forest school or nature based learning. Thanks to your involvement everything produced during our two weeks together can be donated at the material cost. More details about this event can be seen on the website. wholewoods.co.uk

Introducing you to the essentials for successful composting, at home, at the allotment or on the farm. This course will equip you with the knowledge of how to turn organic 'waste' into nutrient rich soil.
On the day we will cover;
the different types of composting processes
how to identify and improve most soil types
how to recognise and solve the most common problems in a compost pile
how to use finished compost
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This is a mostly practical course. You will be given the opportunity to build a real life composting pile, so come prepared to get your hands a little dirty. You will also be offered the theory of why and how it all works, as well as seeing some of the systems in action.
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The investment for this course is £50 when booked earlier than two weeks before the start date. Then £65 there after. This fee includes facilitation, snacks and teas, and all course materials. Spaces are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Here is a one day introductory course on food growing. This course is for anyone interesting in growing some of their own food, or simply curious about vegetable gardening. Whether you have a large garden, a small patio or a windowsill you could benefit from attending this course. On the day we will cover topics like;
site and soil surveying
garden design
propagation and germination
companion planting
pest management
seed saving
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The course will be mainly focused on growing vegetables for your own consumption (although we will touch on fruits, mushrooms and food from animals). No prior knowledge of food growing is necessary for attending this course. The aim is to keep it simply, relevant, informative and fun. This course has a large practical aspect to it, so come prepared to have a go at digging, seed sowing, etc. You will also get the chance to see some of the growing techniques employed by the residents at Landmatters.
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The investment for this course is £50 when booked earlier than two weeks before the start date. Then £65 there after. This fee includes facilitation, snacks and teas, and all course materials. Spaces are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Introducing you to the essentials for successful composting, at home, at the allotment or on the farm. This course will equip you with the knowledge of how to turn organic 'waste' into nutrient rich soil.
On the day we will cover;
the different types of composting processes
how to identify and improve most soil types
how to recognise and solve the most common problems in a compost pile
how to use finished compost
​
This is a mostly practical course. You will be given the opportunity to build a real life composting pile, so come prepared to get your hands a little dirty. You will also be offered the theory of why and how it all works, as well as seeing some of the systems in action.
​
The investment for this course is £50 when booked earlier than two weeks before the start date. Then £65 there after. This fee includes facilitation, snacks and teas, and all course materials. Spaces are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Learn to identify and propagate plants. In this very hands-on course you will learn to identify plants by flower leaf, bud and other characteristics. You will also learn how to grow plants from seed, cuttings, runners and by other means.

An excellent background for anyone interested in our huge variety of plant life.

What’s the difference between grass, ferns and mosses? They are plants and have green leaves. Yes, but we need to know a great deal more about the diversity of plants to develop an interest in the environment, field biology, wildlife and gardening. Find out the science behind sorting out members of the Plant Kingdom. By examining their structure and studying the evolutionary processes that resulted in this diversity of form, you will be able to place plants into related groups. This is a fascinating and essential course for anyone interested in other courses involving plant life.

The day will start with a explanation of the cob oven lighting technique and wood preparation, and we will then prepare the dishes to be cooked through the day. Our aim is to utilize the various forms of heat a wood-fired oven provides: from searing 400ºC flat-bread and pizza baking, through braising, roasting and baking to slow-cooking and drying.

During the day we will bake Moroccan chick pea flatbreads, roast summer vegetables to be served with a spicy harissa. We will also cook some beans with garlic, sage and chorizo (without chorizo for vegetarians). For tea we will prepare, bake and serve no kneed bread and jam plus olive oil cake with nectarines.

Additionally in between meals we’ll look at the use of a Kelly kettle (or storm kettle) for hot water for washing up and beverages and utilizing/making of a ‘tippy tap’ for hand washing, hand hygiene etc.

The day will start with a demonstration of fireplaces and fire-hearths, firewood preparation and charcoal and fire-lighting. We will then discuss campfire cooking techniques: Batterie de cuisine, grills/grids/griddles, skillets, billies, kettles (to include volcano/kelly kettles). Cooking methods we will cover will be: grilling, ember cooking, stick cooking and dutch oven cooking.

Then, together we will prepare the dishes we will be cooking on the campfire throughout the day.

Additionally in between meals we’ll look at the use of cool boxes and the making of/utilising a ‘tippy tap’ for hand washing, hand hygiene etc.

Four cooking workshops for the novice, the inquisitive or experienced. Using the 5 element theory as a context to explore how the seasons effect changes in relation to specific body organs we will find out how to find balance and harmony within.

This series of four workshops is an introduction to The 5 Element System, forming a complete set. Giving you a clear picture of how they energetically interact and influence the body’s expression allowing for the wisdom of the body to adjust and negotiate the ever changing seasonal cycles.

We will be creating a lunch-time selection of vegetarian savoury dishes and sweet deserts to tempt the taste buds. Learn how to play with different flavours to nourish and sustain us, using high quality locally sourced ingredients.

Participants can choose to take part in any one workshop or all four dates for maximum understanding and benefit.