Growing Confidence Project: Environmental opportunities for young people

 At Preston Montford this year we have free and subsidised events coming up which are aimed at young people (ages 15/16 – 25). The events are run through the Growing Confidence Project which is a partnership between Preston Montford Field Centre, Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Fordhall Farm. This project is one of 31 around the country, part of the national Our Bright Future Project. 

The project aims to help young people find out more about Shropshire’s wild places and to become the next generation of environmental leaders. Participants will gain skills, knowledge and confidence, have the opportunity to work with experts, and will meet like-minded people, be inspired and have fun!

We run a range of day events and residentials through the year. So far we have these events coming up:

Winter Twigs and Christmas Trees: Identification of Broad-leaved trees and Conifers Sunday 27^th January   FREE

Explore the Wonderful World of Soil!  Saturday 23^rd March FREE

Fieldwork Skills Weekend  26^th – 28^th April   £45

Wildlife Watching Weekend  26^th -28^th July  £45

Wild Skills Week  3^rd – 7^th August   £75

More courses will be advertised through the year. Watch this space!

If you are involved with a group who might be interested in a bespoke event or course please contact me. Last year we had a University Conservation Society come for a residential to explore Shropshire’s wild places, improve species identification skills and look at how different natural areas are managed. A local college whose students were studying a City and Guilds course also came to the centre through the project to improve their identification skills and explore natural habitats and management. The courses certainly built their confidence in the natural environment and will hopefully have helped them in journey towards a career.   

If you have attended Growing Confidence events you will be able to receive a discount on FSC natural history day courses at Preston Montford – there are plenty of courses to choose from!

Last year we ran a great range of day events including a Geology day – Exploring Shropshire’s Landscape, Making Festive Decorations (willow weaving), Food for Free - Foraging wild food, Planting for Pollinators and a Moth breakfast. Residentials included Wild Skills Week, Getting Close to Wildlife and Water Water Everywhere. Our courses aim to build confidence and skills, in for example species identification, geology, ecology, habitat management, as well as social skills, outdoor management and much more.

Here are some photos from our 2018 events:

Exploring Shropshire’s Landscape – on the Long Mynd

Wild Skills Week – canoeing on the River Severn

Wild Skills Week – on the Stiperstones

Moth Breakfast – Elephant Hawk-moth

Water Water Everywhere – River Perry invertebrate sampling

Water Water Everywhere – Whixall Moss  

Please have a look at the website for more information about the Preston Montford Growing Confidence Project and upcoming events and courses:

www.field-studies-council.org/gc

Shropshire Wildlife Trust run a range of events through the Project which may also be of interest including Wild Roots Youth Group and Make your Weekends Wild:

https://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/discover-and-learn/growing-confidence

Please spread the word about the project to anyone who might be interested! These are great free or subsidised opportunities, where you will learn from and work with experts, meet like-minded people, and have fun!

Please contact me if you would like more information or would like to discuss anything: Jenni Duffell gc@field-studies-council.org