Join Community Ecologist Susan Simmonds at Miller's Pond, Sholing in Southampton for a morning of Tree & Shrub Identification

You'll spend the morning learning how to recognise a number of native trees and shrubs using key characteristics including leaves, berries and bark. You'll start to understand some of the terminology used when looking at the different parts of a tree. You will learn the basics of how to use a plant key to help with tree and shrub identification.

Through observation, discussion and hands-on use of plant keys you will practice tree and shrub identification in the field. The tree and shrub identification course will cover:

Key characteristics of a tree/shrub that we can use to help with identification.

An introduction to tree/shrub identification terminology & use of a key

Tree/shrub identification skills with an emphasis on recognising common UK species.

When and Where?

Saturday 3rd October

Meeting at Sholing Valleys Study Centre, Station Road, Sholing, Southampton, SO19 8FP

Sholing Valley Railway Station (on the coastal line) is only half a mile away. The site is also served by Bluestar's 19/19A (Lordshill-Thornhill) which stops directly outside the centre and the number 7 (Lordshill-Sholing) bus on the southern end of the pond, at the White Swan Pub stop.

Extra Information

Bicycles can be kept inside the hall during the morning.

Toilets are available for participants to use.

Accompanied children are welcome.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of the course.

What do I need to bring?

Appropriate clothing for walking outside for the weather on the day (hat and sunscreen or waterproofs!)

Comfortable and sturdy walking boots,

A hand lens may be useful if you have one

Refreshments, drinks

Your Tutor

Susan Simmonds – Community Ecologist

Susan has a lifelong passion for wildlife and graduated in Environmental Science. She's worked and volunteered in the conservation sector for around 30 years. Susan is also a lecturer at Sparsholt College, teaching on the Technical Diploma in Land and Wildlife Management. Susan has a Certificate to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS) and a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training. She enjoys passing on her knowledge of natural history through teaching courses like plant identification and mammal tracks and signs. She has a desire to make a difference and to play a part in conserving our natural world and believes that she can do that through teaching and further study. She loves being outdoors walking, running, cycling (with plenty of stops for photographing wildflowers), leading Duke of Edinburgh students and regularly teaches wildflower identification, water vole survey techniques and river fly surveying among other things.

Before booking, please ensure you read the Course Booking - Terms and conditions

ADULT COURSES TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Booking & Payments

Booking is essential for all Trust adult courses. Payments must be made in full before the course starts. Places on courses are not confirmed until full payment is received. Course bookings may not be sold to 3rd parties. All proceeds from our adult courses support our wider Trust work.

Refunds

- Cancellation by the Trust : the Trust reserves the right to cancel a course if minimum enrolments are not achieved even after payment has been received in full. If this happens the Trust will offer a transfer to another course of the same value or as part payment or a full refund. All reasonable efforts will be made to contact the learners enrolled on the cancelled course by email or telephone. If the Trust are unable to contact a learner about a cancellation for any reason, the Trust are not liable for any additional costs or expenses incurred.

- Cancellations within 2 weeks of course start : Cancellations by the learner within 2 weeks of the course start the Trust will be unable to provide a refund, although we may offer a transfer to another course at our discretion.

- Cancellations more than 2 weeks before the course start : Cancellations by the learner will be subject to a £10

administration fee which will be deducted from any refundable amounts.

- Absence : No full or part refunds will be made for absence, late arrival or early departure from any part of the course.

- Course Transfers : Should a learner request or accept a transfer to another course and then cancel no refund can be given.

Amendments : The Trust reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions of a course at any time and to take appropriate action, including the cancellation of a course or individual booking, if, in its opinion, it deems such action necessary. Trust course programmes are subject to amendments. The Trust reserves the right to alter course programmes or engage alternative tutors if and as circumstances dictate. Any increase in course price will not take place within the 28 days prior to the course start.

Physical Fitness : Due to the nature of some Trust courses a satisfactory level

Description supplied by the event organiser.