Skill Up for Nature: Roots and Wings

Renfrewshire-based programme, online / in the field, 22nd April – 20th May

Free/ by donation.

Summary: Ever wondered how to find out more about nature on your doorstep,learn more about habitats, and develop practical know-how? Worried about climate change and other human impacts on our environment and want to find out how you can make a difference? 

This training programme is designed to offer participants an opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners involved in different aspects of land use in Renfrewshire. Close to the urban sprawl of Greater Glasgow, the Clyde Muirshiel region and the coast of the Clyde offer opportunities to actively take part in land restoration and to connect to nature. 

The programme is hands-on: Participants will be introduced to identifying and planting trees, to breeding bird survey techniques, and nature photography. Whether you’re just curious or are considering a career in land restoration, it is an invitation to explore it as part of a group, engage with the land practically, visually and creatively, and reflect on and contribute to ideas for positive change. 

Programme details:
The programme will be hosted by the Centre for Human Ecology and delivered with contributions from Peter Livingstone (Eadha Enterprises), Liz Parsons and Alan Wood (Starling Learning) and Becky Duncan (OpenAye). It consists of three in-person field days and five online evening learning sessions, and runs from 22nd April – 20th May.

Key dates:

• Sat 26th April, 10am – 3pm, Lukestone Farm and Locherwood Community Woodland, Clyde Muirshiel
  
  Practical introduction to reforestation: principles of rewilding and tree planting, with Peter Livingstone, Eadha Enterprises
  We will plant aspens and protect them with tubes and stakes at Lukestone Farm, and learn to identify trees and plants at  Locherwood as we progress around the woodland. We will plant some native shrubs to see and understand ongoing rewilding work including introduction of ground flora.
  
  
• Sat 3rd May, 10am – 3pm, around Inchinnan
  
  How humans shape nature, with Luke Devlin and Svenja Meyerricks, CHE; and photo walk with Becky Duncan, Open Aye
  In this session, we will explore the impact of human development on place-making, and how to connect more deeply to places by exploring local histories of human-made and natural habitats. On the photo walk we will be creative, active and outdoors for around two hours, so participants should feel comfortable being mobile for that length of time. We will be venturing off paths and into woodland areas.
  
  
• Sat 17th May, 10am – 3pm, Clyde Muirshiel Country Park
  
  Phase 1 habitat survey and breeding bird survey with Liz Parsons and Alan Wood, Starling Learning
  An introduction to carrying out a habitat survey. We will look at a variety of habitats including acid grassland, marshy grassland, woodland edge and blanket bog. We will identify plants to help us decide on the habitat type and use codes to map them. The breeding bird survey will use a technique called Common Bird Census. We will visit all the habitats and look for evidence of breeding – birds singing, alarm calling, feeding young, display flights and we will use codes and mark them on the map. Bird species will include Meadow Pipit and Skylark and a variety of woodland birds.

• Online sessions: Tuesdays from 7pm – 8:30pm on 22nd April, 29th April, 6th May, 13th May and 20th May
  
  See full programme below.

Who is it for, and what commitment is required?

This programme is designed for participants who live or work in Renfrewshire or have another connection, and do their best to attend all sessions (online sessions will be recorded for catch-up).

Each participant will be invited to reflect on especially the practical elements of the programme through written notes and/or audio recordings, which will be included in a short report by the Centre for Human Ecology. Upon completion, each participant will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Centre for Human Ecology. 

On the field days, we will be covering rough ground and some parts might be tiring, so participants will need a degree of fitness, although we will take our time and go at a comfortable pace. Participants will need warm, waterproof clothing and wellies or waterproof boots. A folder and binoculars will be useful, but we will have some to share.

For the photo walk, participants will use camera phones, or small digital cameras will be available to borrow, if preferred. Please bring water and snacks and wear clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather!

What does it cost?

The course is free to attend, but we ask participants to commit to all of it – or to let us know which sessions they can’t make when applying for a space. We’d also ask participants to share with us reflections and output (written words, recordings, photos from the walk etc) for the project report. If participants are able to make a voluntary donation to the Centre for Human Ecology, it will enable us to offer similar courses in the future.

Contributors:

Liz Parsons has run Starling Learning for 29 years co-ordinating ecological consultancy, environmental education, conservation management and wildlife gardening.

Alan Wood has worked for Starling Learning for 25 years. He is a keen ornithologist and ecologist and as well as carrying out many surveys for work, he has co-ordinated many bird surveys for the Scottish Ornithologists Club Clyde branch.

Peter Livingstone is the co-founder and CEO of Eadha Enterprises, an environmental charity and social enterprise based in Renfrewshire with expertise in aspen conservation and developing aspen woodlands. Eadha maintains a native tree nursery specialising in aspen and other rare species.

Dr Svenja Meyerricks is a human ecologist who holds a PhD from the University of St Andrews on community projects for climate action, and has been involved in and developed a number of projects over the last 15 years. She is a Fellow of the Centre for Human Ecology, and co-designed and taught on the DE/GROWTH and Human Ecology course.

Luke Devlin is Executive Director of the Centre for Human Ecology, and is a freelance researcher, writer and broadcaster on climate change and ethical affairs.

Becky Duncan founded and manages Open Aye, a community interest company, using photography and participatory projects to document, celebrate and strengthen Scottish communities. We stand for equality, inclusion and fair representation. Becky is a documentary photographer and socially engaged arts practitioner. Half of her time is spent taking photos, and half is spent facilitating participatory arts projects. She will also soon finish her Masters in Art & Social Practice, from University of the Highlands and Islands, where her specialism lies in nature-based creative community connections, for integration and wellbeing.