My Almost Decade of Learning at FSC Preston Montford

Well, it is the end of an era for me this month. In March 2009, FSC Preston Montford recruited me as a Tutor to teach geography and biology. I spent the next 9.92 years learning about the power of curiosity, asking questions and using good quality data to inform environmental decisions. My personal growth is largely thanks to the boundless enthusiasm and diversity of the FSC community, students, staff and volunteers, of all whom generously shared their philosophy, values, knowledge and skills with me. If you are needing inspiration, then you can’t go far wrong spending some time at FSC Preston Montford.

My time started with a job interviewer who handed me a white tray and asked me to talk about the “exhibit” within it. Was it a conglomerate? No, a random piece of road rubble, that I was asked to be curious about. And that set the tone for my journey into fieldwork teaching. I have found myself in many random and curious places since: Enjoying the midnight sun in Finland with other European educators exchanging ideas; asking students to talk to the rocks up in the stunning Stiperstones; marveling at cross sections of mosses through a microscope; releasing a blue tit after seeing how it was ringed; capturing the solar eclipse in a colander with Bilborough College on the fire assembly lawn; acting out the story of the rock giant Tryfan (with voices!); sniffing otter poo on the river bank declaring that it does smell like jasmine tea! It has been a many and varied set of experiences. Even the estimated 400 journeys along Carding Mill Valley I hear you and countless GCSE students ask me? Well, the seasons are always different, student reactions are different, the river is different – no flow, flood flow, frozen!

Amongst the random and routine moments, I have learnt some amazing skills that will stay with me forever. I have learnt to use identification keys and now volunteer for the National Plant Monitoring Survey. I have so many bio-recording apps on my phone and have turned my appreciation for the great outdoors into a scientific pursuit. First Brimstone recorded yesterday! It feels good to know that the data is being used to help environmental decision makers. The FSC also trained me as a Mountain Leader, a remote first aider, a safety manager and a team leader, which helped me to become a better Senior Tutor and then Education Team Leader.  

All these skills and experiences will serve me well as I move on to Project Manage a heritage and conservation project at Lake Vyrnwy for the local community, RSPB and Hafren Dyfrdwy. It will be an interesting challenge to use the understanding from my teaching on habitat monitoring, place rebranding, carbon and water systems and my leadership skills to bring long term environmental, economic and social sustainability to this unique and special place.

And I go knowing this bunch of “outstanding” educators will be there for you, to continue to encourage you to be curious, look again, look more deeply and ask great questions.

By Angela Munn, Education Team Leader

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

Wonders of wood and willow

Now that schools are winding down for their Christmas break, here at FSC Preston Montford our attention is turning to our centre grounds and sprucing them up for winter.

Our Grounds Keeper, with the help of Anna and Sami our Education Assistant and Education Technician respectively, has been maintaining the steps that lead down to the beautiful River Severn. The edging board of the steps was rotten and the soil was beginning to slide down the bank making it difficult to navigate safely to the path below. Therefore, they have replaced the edging board with new wood to sure up the soil - we think that they look as good as new!

Anna and Ian sawing the supporting posts.

The new steps.

Along the side of our community garden, our Education Assistants have been busy planting hundreds (215 to be precise) of trees that will hopefully improve this area for wildlife and foraging. The trees were supplied by The Woodland Trust as a result of our Education Team successfully applying to a project earlier in the year. We received a mix of species including Cherry, Hazel, Elder, Wild Rose, Hawthorn, Downy Birch, Silver Birch and Oak. Hopefully this diversity will aid the resilience of the hedge and ensure that it lasts for years to come.

Hannah and Sami planting the trees in a trench.

Guards and bark mulch were added.

Lastly, our Education Team has been creating a willow fence in the sensory garden (Exploratorium). They began this task as part of a team-building afternoon. Sami marked out the line of the fence on the ground and then everyone helped to dig regularly spaced holes for the supporting poles. Into these the team hammered Alder stakes, traditionally you would use Hazel but the Alder lengths were more readily available, upside down (ensuring that the stakes will not grow into trees). The team then infilled the holes with the removed soil plus 30cm Alder stakes to compact the soil and secure the main poles. Next we weaved the willow through the poles. Beginning with the thickest section of our willow stem at the first pole, we weaved in, out, in, out, in and out. We then reversed this, placing the thickest section of our second willow stem at the last pole and followed our first stems pattern back: out, in, out, in, out and in. Therefore giving strength to our fence. Our subsequent pairing of stems alternated the pattern of the previous pair, again to give strength and a pleasing frame to our fence. It is hoped that over the next year we will create multiple fences, each slightly bigger than the one before and overlapping in the opposite direction to form a maze...amazing!

Sami showing us how to prep the willow.

The fence taking shape.

If you would like to explore our grounds, why not attend one of our courses next year (https://www.field-studies-council.org/individuals-and-families/search-for-courses.aspx) or email enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org to arrange a visit. We also run Duke of Edinburgh sessions on every second and fourth Sunday of the month where we do conservation work around the centre. If you are aged 15-25, our grounds an also be explored through the Growing Confidence project[CT1]  www.field-studes-council.org/gc (Email gc@field-sudies-council.org for more details).

We wish you all a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2019.

Rain, Fire & Victorians

FSC Preston Montford recently hosted the national Key Stage 2 (Primary school pupils aged 7-11 years) training for the wider organisation, with delegates coming from across the country to share ideas and learn new skills to take back to their own centres.

As with most KS2 training events, spirits were high and staff were enthusiastic to get involved in the activities – aimed at primary school children, but enjoyed by the young at heart too.

Despite freezing conditions and driving rain, the first day was spent outside in the woods here at FSC Preston Montford learning some bush craft skills. We all took up the 5 minute challenge – 5 minutes to build a fire, light it using fire strikers and cotton wool, keep the fire going for at least one minute, fully extinguishing and then returning the site to its natural state. A challenge at the best of times but given the weather conditions, we were delighted that every group managed to at least light their fire in the allocated time! We also learned to tie a few knots, and used these skills to build a structure capable of supporting our own weight – which also went surprisingly well!

We had the chance to share a number of fun filler activities, for those moments when you have more time than expected. Such as when you are waiting for a coach or the rest of the group to collect forgotten items from their rooms. Our favourites were giants, wizards and dwarves (think rock-paper-scissors as a team game) and the very popular “FEET … OF … FURY!” (yes, it does have to be said like that with emphasis on every word). The latter begins with everyone standing in a circle, after which players take it in turns to step towards another player. The goal is to step lightly on another player’s foot and eliminate them from the game, whilst avoiding being stepped on yourself. There can only be one winner in this game of tactics and bravery (no backwards steps allowed here).

The FSC Preston Montford team were called upon by the organisers of the training to show the other delegates around one of their favourite places – Blists Hill museum. The team had great pleasure leading tours around the recreated Victorian town – complete with volunteers in period costume. The school experience was well received and was made more realistic when eight of our group arrived late, leading to a mock caning by the schoolmistress – best behaviour all! Overall, the excursion was thoroughly enjoyed by all staff - not just because of the sweet shop - but because of the immersive and interactive example of how to lead history field trips for this age group.

FSC Preston Montford tutors after passing Victorian teacher training.

We hope that all of our counterparts from the visiting centres left filled with inspiration and brimming with new ideas on how they can make their KS2 sessions even better. We know that we have some exciting things to share with our other team members.

If you are interested in our courses for primary schools, please contact us at enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org for more information.

Halloween Harlequins

It’s dark outside and you, dear reader, are settled inside for the night. In the corner of your eye you notice a movement. Do you see it? There, lurking by the windows. It’s only small but as you turn your head you realise that there are many of them. The mass appears almost liquid-like as the creatures crawl up and over each other. As you move closer to inspect the source of your curiosity, you feel something hard hit your cheek. Suddenly unconfident, you reach for the light switch, the main light comes on and everything stops! The tight mass that previously was moving can now be clearly seen as a mound of red, orange and black. What are they? They my curious friend are ladybirds, Harlequin ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis), and generally not the source of nightmares.

Four of the hundred or more Harlequin ladybird colour pattern varieties
can be seen at the bottom of our FSC guide.

Alternatively known as the Halloween Ladybug in America - as they often appear in people’s homes around Jack-o’-lantern carving time - homes all around the UK, including FSC Preston Montford, are seeing an influx of these insects colonising the cosy corners by the windows and walls. This season’s abundance is likely induced by the continuous high temperatures over the summer. First arriving on our shores in September 2004, the Harlequin ladybird is native to central and eastern Asia (Kuznetsov, 1997). They were used as a biological control agent for aphids in North America due to their predatory efficiency and ability to colonise a range of habitats (Majerus, M. et al., 2006).

Unlike our native ladybirds that generally hibernate in trees or leaf litter (BBC News, 2018), the Harlequin ladybird prefers to over-winter in our warm buildings. So, does this resident pose a problem to us? For the most part, no, these ladybirds are generally harmless and can be left where they are (BBC News, 2018). If aggravated, the Harlequin ladybirds exude a defensive chemical from their joints which has an unpleasant smell and can stain soft furnishings (Majerus, M. et al., 2006). Not a trick you want played on you this Halloween! One of this ladybird’s favourite treats is the sap from fruits such as pears and apples, which help to build up the Harlequin’s energy reserves but could leave your fruit blemished (Majerus, M. et al., 2006) – maybe cover up your fruit bowl if you notice them taking an interest.

So what can you do until they awake from their slumber and head back into the garden? Well, you can upload your sightings onto iRecord so scientists can monitor the distribution of this invasive species. More information can be found on monitoring UK ladybirds at: http://www.ladybird-survey.org/default.aspx. Alternatively, you can make up your own ghoulish story about the ladybird lodger that appeared unannounced. We’re doing both with ours…Happy Halloween!

Sources

BBC News (2018) Harlequin ladybirds swarm into homes after hot summer. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45766496 [Accessed on: 29^th October 2018]

Majerus, M. , Strawson, V. and Roy, H. (2006), The potential impacts of the arrival of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), in Britain. Ecological Entomology, 31: 207-215.

Kuznetsov, V.N. (1997) Ladybeetles of Russian Far East. Memoir Seis Editor, CSE, Gainesville, Florida.

Mind you take time to get outdoors this autumn

As the nights are drawing in and the weather is taking a turn towards the lower end of the thermometer it is easy to retreat to the warmth and light of the indoor world. However, there is much magic to be discovered and many adventures to be had outdoors if you are well prepared.

Why not try one or more of the ideas below:

1. If you have recently been on one of our art courses, we challenge you to layer up (don’t forget to tuck your top layers into your bottom layers to prevent a chill in your mid-region), grab a flask of a hot beverage of your choice and put your skills into practise! The natural landscape is currently flecked with fiery reds and golds as deciduous leaves begin to change colour. This autumnal display could be captured by watercolour, pastels, photography or any other medium you wish to use.

2. String + leaves = Leaf garlands! Need I say more? Perfect to do with children and will make a lovely decoration for the hallway. Alternatively, if you would rather keep the leaves outside, you could make pictures with the leaves and then take a photo of your masterpiece.

Love the outdoors and get creative!

3. Keen to be active this autumn or just want to tire the children out? Take one of our FSC identification ID guides out on a walk with you and see what you can discover in your local area. We suggest the Mammal Tracks and Signs Chart, the Tree Identification Guide and the Features of the Shropshire Hills. Who said walks were just for the day time? Visit a familiar location that you can safely navigate (even your own garden will suffice) and take along our FSC Night Sky Chart, so that you can explore the stars – don’t forget a torch.

4. Psssst, budding storytellers! Many constellations and most of the planets are linked to Roman or Greek mythology. With a bit of prior research you could impress your friends and family with your stories around a campfire or fire pit in the garden.

5. Need a helping hand into the world outside, enquire about our Growing Confidence events for young people with our Growing Confidence Officer Jenni - j.duffell@field-studies-council.org. Alternatively, find out more about the variety of day events and residentials on offer at https://www.facebook.com/pg/GrowingConfidence/events/. Previous events have included foraging for free food, looking at the wildlife in our centre ponds and a day exploring the shoreline on the North Welsh coast.

Life in our pond - Great Diving Beetle larvae

6. Wildlife lovers, it is time to begin thinking about feeding the birds again. As the fruits are devoured from our hedgerows and trees, it is important to provide an alternative source of sustenance for our feathery friends (please avoid putting out bread, as it has little nutritional value). If last winter is anything to go by, they are going to need it!

Our daily lives can be quite hectic, always fliting from one task to the next and not always pausing to take time to enjoy the moment or to smell the roses as my Grandpa would say.

Mental health is a subject that is increasingly being talked about on the national stage - this year alone 74% of 4,619 people who undertook an online poll for YouGov said that they felt unable to cope or were overwhelmed by stress (Mental Health Foundation, 2018). This stress could be due to expectations that were placed them – business targets, teaching targets, repayment targets – or that they place on themselves – personal targets. However, these different types of stress inducers are relatable to all of us. Whether it is the desire to deliver an outstanding lesson every time we teach, to get straight A* in our A levels, to keep our houses as neat as a show home or to be able to narrate the entire series of Blue Planet in David Attenborough’s voice (I try so hard). Stress is a natural part of all our lives but it shouldn’t seem like it is growing inside of us exponentially to a breaking point.

Today (30^th September) is National GetOutside Day, so we are encouraging all of you to take some time out of your busy lives to connect with your surroundings and put your own wellbeing first…today, tomorrow and whenever you just need to find the natural you again.

 

The dramatic landscape of the Stiperstones, South Shropshire

Sources:

Mental Health Foundation (2018), Mental Health Statistics: Stress, available from: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-stress [Accessed on: 26^th September 2018]

Himalayan Balsam Bashing

Preston Montford is trying to reduce invasive Himalayan Balsam from our land that borders the River Severn, and thanks to our Sunday Duke of Edinburgh volunteer group (aged 14-25yrs), we are well on the way to Balsam eradication.

Himalayan Balsam is an invasive species that was introduced into the UK as a garden plant. It tolerates damp ground and is a particular problem along our UK watercourses. It grows from May to September and grows particularly tall and densely, shading out native vegetation which reduces the biodiversity of riverside vegetation. Furthermore, during the winter as it dies back, it leaves riverbanks unvegetated and vulnerable to erosion, releasing sediment into the river, which can be a problem for some aquatic wildlife.

At Preston Montford, the seeds from plants further upstream in the River Severn get trapped on our banks and grow. We have a VERY HEALTHY population of Himalayan Balsam and want to do our best to eradicate it from our land. It will take a long term continued attempt to take the plants out every year and involve solutions on a catchment scale from other landowners to completely eradicate the problem. In the meantime, if we can do our bit, we hope not to make the problem worse. This is where our volunteer crew come in very handy. Literally.

We handpull the Balsam, which is very labor intensive, so we rely on volunteers throughout the summer to come and take out the plants. Here are some before and after shots of one of the sections the team tackled earlier this month. We took 2 hours to clear an area the size of a footbal pitch and our volunteers found it really hard to stop for their cake break as they just wanted compulsively to carry on pulling – hooray! Here is a before and after shot of one 15 minutes of work.

Although it was a cooperative team effort to clear the area, competition for the tallest plant soon started, and it was every person for themselves. The winner was Ewan pictured above with what we estimate to be a 10ft plant!

If you have Himalayan Balsam growing near you, you can pull up the stems from late May until the seed heads form (usually mid-late August). Simply pull them out by the roots, break the stem and leave them scattered to rot on site. You can cover with a tarpaulin to speed up the rotting process. Strimming and grazing with cattle and ponies will also do the trick. (Source: Countryside Council for Wales leaflet & www.himalayanbalsamwales.co.uk)

If you are aged 14-25 and would like to volunteer either as part of your DofE award or just for fun, please contact us at enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org. We do our conservation tasks here at Preston Montford 10.30-12.30 every 2^nd and 4^th Sunday.