Environment fieldwork & Bushcraft

Enjoy an amazing experience in the outdoors, discover the natural world and take a break from online learning screens. 

Locations include:

• Meadows in and around the White Peak area (Bakewell and Matlock).
• Deciduous woodlands in and around the White Peak (Bakewell and Matlock).
• Moorlands of the Dark Peak (Buxton).

We have all been inspired by Sir David Attenborough and the way that he has shown us the beauty and fragility of our environment. Your day will experience the incredible biodiversity that surrounds us, delve into wildlife habitats, introduce foraging and look at sustainable land management.

1. Biodiversity - looking at the relationship of plants and animals (flora and fauna), such as pollination; identifying rare and common species; and our impact with biodiversity.
2. Wildlife habitats - we can identify a range of species, from mammals to reptiles and birds to insects or invertebrates. We may even find carnivorous plants! 
3. Foraging - we can identify some of the edible plants or fungi. However we will not eat any.
4. Land management - we can look at how land is used for farming and development, considering how it can be sustainable in the face of increasing climate change.

With experience of leading trips to some of the world's extreme environments, such as the Arabian Desert, Borneo Rainforest and the Himalayas, I have seen the necessity of having basic skills to survive. 

Bushcraft sessions will show young people how to find and make shelter, get safe water to drink and light a fire. I introduce basic foraging activities to develop an understanding of the edible and medicinal plants in our local environment.