EDUCATION FIELD WORK ACTIVITIES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
KS 3 & 4, HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION
Essex Wildlife Trust is the leading conservation organisation of its kind in Essex. 
Essex Wildlife Trust is a charity established in 1959 and the Trust exists to secure a better future for the wildlife and people of Essex. We depend on donations and membership to fund the majority of our work. We have over 35,000 members and 480 corporate supporters, and we look after more than 7,250 acres of land on 87 nature reserves, 7 Visitor Centres and 1 nature park in the county.
All Essex Wildlife Trust sites offer a wide variety of habitats, all managed to increase biodiversity and abundance of wildlife. The Trust has 7 visitor centres across the county and each site has an experienced education staff and volunteer team, an indoor area, gift shop, toilets, cloakroom and a wide range of field equipment. Therefore these sites offer great study opportunities to introduce field skills, data collection, and appreciation for the outdoor environment for Key Stages 3 and 4, and Higher and Further education programmes. In addition Schools Outreach Officers deliver environmental programmes at schools and Forest School Officers deliver Forest School sessions at local sites close to school as part of the Integrated Curriculum. The Community Wildlife Officer at Chafford Gorges offers a diverse programme for community groups £200 donation per day + travel.
EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE
Please liaise with the education staff at the relevant site to discuss the specific programme offered.
Sustainability
Subjects covered include bio fuels, reduce reuse and recycle, food miles, consumer choice, energy issues, and what the individual can do to help reduce their impact on the planet. Sustainability is covered through a range of orienteering activities, site tours, general discussion, and indoor activities.
Woodland Management
Observe the effects of a range of management techniques on the biodiversity and abundance of flora in scrub and woodland. Pupils collect data on managed and unmanaged areas using quadrats, transects and identification guides and keys. Management techniques such as coppicing, thinning, under-planting and the creation of glades and rides, and other techniques can be examined.
Grassland Surveys
Use of a range of sampling techniques, identification keys, quadrants and transects, to collect data on biodiversity, abundance, frequency, variation, and observe the effects of disturbance and management.
Saltmarsh
Discuss plant adaptations and the importance of the saltmarsh habitat. Study and observe the different zones of this unique and declining habitat.
Freshwater Surveys
Using survey pond nets and other equipment catch and identify a range of species. Compare and contrast invertebrates found in two different freshwater ponds. A detailed look at adaptations for breathing, protection, movement, feeding relationships, and lifecycles. Abiotic factors can also be examined and include factors such as pollution within the ecosystem.
Terrestrial Invertebrate Surveys
Using a range of field equipment including sweep nets, pitfall traps, tree beaters and containers, students will survey different areas e.g. log piles, grassland, leaf litter to compare biodiversity and abundance of invertebrates.
Countryside/Leisure and Tourism Management
Students assess the effect of different human uses of the Nature Reserve and the physical impact it can have on its flora and fauna. Footpath trampling can be measured around the reserve and an environmental index survey carried out to record pupil perception of the surroundings. An introduction to the running of a busy visitor centre facility. Looking at the retail aspect of the centre, public events, financial targets for sales and donations, facilities available and the benefit this tourist facility has for wildlife.
Orienteering
Many sites have a variety of orienteering courses that can be included as part of the days programme. Activity includes use of compasses and maps.
MAIN HABITAT STUDY AREAS
Available at secondary, further and higher education specialist sites
Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve (Secondary Specialist Site) (Near Chelmsford)
Eco Centre, woodland and freshwater habitats.
Bedfords Park Nature Reserve (Near Romford)
Historic parkland, meadows, woodland and ponds
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve (Near Colchester)
Scrub, saltmarsh, meadows and freshwater habitats
Chafford Gorges Nature Park (Near Grays)
Chalk gorge, freshwater habitats and grassland.
Abbotts Hall Farm (Near Colchester)
Conservation grade arable land, coastal realignment project (seawall breach), salt marsh and estuary.
All sites offer coach parking and cloakroom facilities. Most sites have good accessibility for disabled visitors.
Donations
As a conservation charity we invest in our People and Wildlife work as a tool to further wildlife conservation we therefore request the following donations:
£6 per pupil for secondary school and £7.50 per student for further and higher education (£100 min).
Outreach Visits £200 per day + travel. Forest School sessions (half day) £125 + travel. Community £200 + travel per day
An invoice to cover the donation and feedback form will be provided on the day or sent direct to the school after the field visit. All field equipment, planning, preparation, timetabling, and master copies of worksheets are provided for your visit. The emphasis of your school field visit with the Essex Wildlife Trust is for students to have a unique hands on discovery experience. We can offer a wide range of age and activity appropriate worksheets. We have found many children and young people thrive academically through non paper based sessions. Alternatively these worksheets can be provided as follow up classroom work. All activities are risk assessed and these can be sent upon request.
For more information please contact the sites below or People and Wildlife Manager on 01621 862991 or to email click here.
Bedfords Park near Romford
Vicky Rudd 01708 748646 or to email click here.
Chafford Gorges Nature Park near Grays
Andrew Sidders or Jem Ayres 01375 484016 or to email click here.
Fingringhoe near Colchester
Duncan Coleman 01206 729678 or to email click here.
Hanningfield near Chelmsford
Carolyn Mallott or Lauren French 01268 711001 or to email click here.