Wild Futures Taster Session - Spinney Wood

Event Date: 25/01/2025 11:30 - 14:30

16-24 year old volunteer taster session.

Do you want to develop your career in conservation and build your CV? Would you like to learn some new outdoor practical skills? Or do you simply love nature and want to help wildlife?

Come join Ranger Jason in learning some traditional woodland management techniques, such as coppicing & dead hedging. Make a difference to your countryside today.

No previous experience necessary!

During the session you will:
- Use hand tools, such as bow saws and billhooks, to coppice (cutting back to sitmulate growth) a variety of broadleaved trees.
- Learn what dead hedging is, the benefits it has for nature, and how to create dead heges using material from what was coppiced
- Develop an understanding of local ancient woodland management, along with the opportunity to ask questions about conservation with the site ranger

Earn digital certificates when you join volunteer tasks
- Bronze: 1 task
- Silver: 4 tasks
- Gold: 8 tasks

Attendees under 18 must have guardian consent prior to attending the session.

Support is available to assist with public transport costs.

Detailed instructions on how to get to site will be provided after booking. 

Event Location - Spinney Wood

Spinney Wood is an area of ancient woodland south of the village of Aylesham. The woodland has a long history of coppice, with hazel and sweet chestnut cut for use by local people. This management continues today and has resulted in a rich ground flora with many species of wildflower including orchids to be found.

Footpaths link to the site, with the North Downs Way less than a half mile walk from Spinney Wood. We manage Spinney Wood on behalf of Aylesham Parish Council.