Get back to nature in Doncaster

Get close to nature by joining special ecological and wildlife training workshops from next month.
Roseanna BurtonRoseanna Burton
Roseanna Burton

The workshops will take place at Howell Wood, between Goldthorpe and South Kirby, and are part of a project delivered by the Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership.

Wildlife themes covered will aim to help promote biodiversity and the sensitive management of Dearne Valley woodlands.

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Attendees will be taught to identify and survey, learn about amphibians and reptiles, and carry out bird and bat surveys along with winter tree and woodland plant identification.

The public workshops are suitable for all ages and skill levels, and will be delivered as part of a two-year survey and training programme.

Roseanna Burton, community officer at the DVLP, said: “Howell Wood is semi-ancient woodland which is of local and national significance for biodiversity.

“We’re encouraging people in Doncaster to play a part in protecting such sites to help to conserve rare habitats and species that inhabit them.

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“We have workshops suitable for families and children, and others that cater for specialists with interest in natural history. These workshops will help us provide opportunities and develop new survey skills within the local community, and obtain more wildlife records for local biological records centres.”

As well as developing the training and survey programme, Haycock and Jay Associates Ltd will work to develop new conservation management plans.

Steven Heaton, a botanist and ecologist, said: “We are delighted to be working with the DVLP on this engagement project across the Dearne Valley.

“We have experience of working at sites across the UK but this one is particularly important to us as it involves the local community.”

Full details of how to get involved in the woodlands project or to attend an event can be found at www.discoverdearne.org.uk