Environmental Studies

 

This embraces:  environment,   wildlife,   ecology,  heritage,   flora & fauna,  the built environment,  public green space,  watercourses & standing water,  woodlands,  farming,   migrations-habitat,  wildlife corridors,   geology & land types,  transition/changes in landscape across time and much more.

Specific subjects looked at include:

●Understanding the history, development and current situation of the local  landscape, ecology, wildlife, habitats and environment in general.

●Communities, farming, land use.

●Traditions, history and heritage of the land.

●Wildlife/species audits

●Gardens, wildlife corridors.

●Heritage sites

Further Information & bookings:    to enquire further about Environmental Studies please write to:  stephencox.gardentrust@gmail.com

 

 

Conservation Gardening Studies

 

This is not adapted but uniquely created by an intuitive process of exploration, study, research, examination and practice over many years. Thus it is found nowhere else.

Above all it is based on the spirituality and philosophy of Stephen Cox- the vision and values of whom inspired and drives this charitable trust.

It does not provide a qualification. But it enables the individual to become familiar with all aspects of conservation, environmental studies & ethics, landscape appreciation, wildlife care, empathy with Nature, land stewardship, and related topics

Below are listed the range of themes/skills/activities which are taught. Please note that these are only subject headings: each item has a detailed syllabus.

1. Planting for bees/butterflies.

2. Habitats.                                        

3. Wildlife code of conduct.            

4. Non-human creature rights.

5. Standing water (ponds, wetlands, damp-lands)

6. Composting.

7. Irrigation.

8. Attracting wildlife.

9. Wildflowers.

10. Wilding areas.

11. Masking intrusive sound.

12. Perennials v annuals

13. Rooms, zones, micro environments.

The above are taught to the student over the duration of several weeks, depending on attendance availability.

Specific workshops and seminars are given on individual subjects. Including group educational tours of the garden.

 

Wildlife Care

As in the greater world now rampant with habitat loss, pollution, deforestation, wildflower meadows & wetland decline etc, it is all too easy to leave out wildlife in our gardens. How we garden and what we put in out garden can make a huge difference to wildife. Domestic gardens are an essential part of wildlife corridors.

 

Some of the things taught and considered here are:

1. Bug hotels.

2. Wild spaces.

3. Wetland areas for dragon flies, amphibians etc

4. Pollinator plants.

5. Winter littering and places for animal over-wintering.

6. Bird feeding principles, responsibilities and methods.

7. Establishing a wildlife code in your garden and animal rights.

8. Pest control

9.  Wildflowers "weeds" (e.g. ragwort,  daisies, dandelion) as food sources for specialist species.

10 Attracting solitary bees e.g. mason bees, mining bees etc.

11. Making & using bee boxes.

12. Bat boxes, bird boxes, hedgehog houses