Activities for Community Groups with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Working with you to inspire, educate and enhance your enjoyment of local wildlife. The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust provides unique opportunities for you to experience the natural beauty of our wildlife reserves. There’s something for all ages and groups, from children to adults, young and old alike.
Countryside Discovery
Through a programme of events, covering everything from pond dipping, minibeast hunts, nocturnal wildlife, bird watching, shelter building, to map skills and trails, you gain an awareness and understanding of our wildlife and habitats. From absolute beginner to expert, toddler to grandparent, there is an opportunity for discovery for everyone.
Conservation Tasks
Enables practical application of your skills and helps wildlife at the same time. Working with others you’ll find it good for your own personal development and team building. Have a go at scrub bashing, coppicing, constructing boardwalks, wildlife surveys, nest box maintenance, bushcraft and rural skills such as hedge laying and hurdle making.
Guided Walks
Enjoy a guided walk around a Wildlife Trust Reserve. An excellent opportunity to learn about the seasonal wildlife of a reserve, the history and current conservation management - while enjoying the fresh air and exercise.
Courses
If you want to learn a new skill on countryside and wildlife topics, then try one of our wide range of courses. From wildlife and habitat identification, gardening for wildlife, tree planting, fungal forays, basket making, art classes, willow weaving, charcoal making, food for free, natural dyeing – there’s something for everyone. We can provide tailored courses to meet the specific needs of your group.
Our Education Centres
The Trust has three education centres – at Blashford, Testwood, and Swanwick – that act as focal points for family events, and visits by schools and community groups. Each fully equipped centre has been purpose-built with immediate access to the wildlife reserve - ready to inspire and educate.
Blashford Lakes
Located in West Hampshire near Ringwood, the centre accommodates up to 60 people and is ideally situated for exploring the 650 acre wildlife reserve. Seven lakes, a New Forest river, wildlife watching hides, semiancient woodland, unique grassland habitats and the adjacent New Forest are waiting to be discovered via the five miles of surfaced footpath accessible by all.
Testwood Lakes
The centre has excellent facilities for visiting groups, with a large classroom that will accommodate up to 60 people. The 150 acre wildlife reserve has access to woodland, wildlife ponds, rivers, lakes and grassland. Our two storey bird hide overlooks a newly created wetland area which attracts wading birds, ducks and geese. It is well positioned for circular walks around 450 acres of the Lower Test Valley Reserves.
Swanwick Lakes
This 86 acre wildlife reserve is situated between Southampton and Fareham. The
former clay workings have been transformed by nature and over 2 miles of paths now give access to scenic lakes, woodlands and flower rich meadows. The purpose-built log cabin style building can accommodate up to 60 people.
How to contact us Please contact the Centres to discuss your requirements.
Blashford Lakes 01425 472760
Testwood Lakes 02380 667929
Swanwick Lakes 01489 570240
Trust HQ 01489 774400
Charges
We may make a charge to cover costs of materials and external tutors, or we may ask for a donation. Please contact us for further information.
If you are not already a member, why not join us?
School/Group membership is £42 per year and brings termly Wildlife Watch educational posters, magazines and activity booklets as well as the Trust magazine and diary of events. Individual or family membership varies from £15 concession to £42 for families (including Wildlife Watch membership for up to 4 children), with monthly payments available. Please ask for a membership leaflet or visit our website www.hwt.org.uk.
What else?
You might also be interested in volunteering opportunities and our youth volunteer programme for young people aged 13 – 25. For more information on this, other wildlife reserves to visit, countryside and wildlife courses, school services, the Wildlife Watch club for children and a huge range of walks and talks throughout the year, please visit our website www.hwt.org.uk.
