In this film by wildlife film maker Tom Hartwell, Howard Inns from The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) provides practical guidance on how to encourage reptiles like grass snakes and slow worms into your woodland. He talks us through how to provide food sources, warmth, and places for them to hibernate and lay their eggs. You can also access the ARC's free habitat management handbooks here: https://www.arc-trust.org/habitat-management-handbooks. For more information on the fabulous work of the ARC please see https://www.arc-trust.org/; https://www.instagram.com/arc.trust.official/; https://twitter.com/ARC_bytes; https://www.facebook.com/ARCTrust; and https://www.youtube.com/user/ARCTrust. Special thanks to Barry Deakin for showcasing his wonderful woodland and how he has created the right conditions for healthy reptile populations.

In this film by rewilding film maker Jack D'Gama, we meet mycologist David Satori who specialises in mycorrhizal woodland ecology. David introduces us to the diversity and complexity of woodland fungi and their symbiotic relationship with trees, and why mycorrhizal fungi are just as important as trees in a woodland ecosystem. David explains how the fungi share nutrients with the trees which provide sugars from photosynthesis to the fungi, but how this relationship is not always altruistic. For more information on David's work and research please see https://www.rewildingmycology.org/david-satori/ and on Instagram, @rewilding_mycology. Autumn is the most interesting time to see fungi in woodlands. To celebrate this, we have an accompanying blog on mycorrhizal fungi coming out on 22 November 2024 (look out for it here: https://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/). Did you miss the fascinating October webinar on truffle hunting hosted by our partner organisation, Small Woodland Owners Group (SWOG)? If so, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qR4lZrDYLQ.

In this film by accomplished film maker Henry Kirkwood, Steve England from Outdoor Learning takes us to the stunning Frome Valley to show us how to find fossilised trees such as Calamites and other carboniferous tree fragments. He talks about how to 'read' the geological rock structures, the tools needed for fossil hunting, and demonstrates how to find them. To find the best UK fossil locations near you see http://www.discoveringfossils.co.uk/fossil-locations-of-great-britain/. The UK Association of Fossil Hunters (https://ukafh.com/) also has a wealth of information and educates on how to conduct safe, responsible and sustainable fossil hunting. Steve runs wildlife, foraging & outdoor education courses in Bristol. For more information on Steve's courses please see: Website: https://steveengland.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveenglanduk YouTube: @steveenglandoutdoorlearnin6439

Here is a short to our film by actress and presenter Nicola Kelleher in which we learn how to make laundry soap from English ivy (Hedera helix). You can see the full film here, https://youtu.be/Tt8LAOImojA. As English ivy can cause skin irritation for some people, it is recommended that you wear gloves and always wash your hands thoroughly after handling it. Please note, that this film is specific to English ivy only. There are many types of ivy, and some can be extremely toxic such as poison ivy in the US. Always make sure you are 100% positive in your identification of English ivy and check with several different sources of information. If you go foraging for English ivy following this film then it is at your own risk. Also remember to make yourself aware of any countryside laws relating to foraging specific to your area.

In this film by actress and presenter Nicola Kelleher we learn how to make laundry soap from English ivy (Hedera helix). As English ivy can cause skin irritation for some people, it is recommended that you wear gloves and always wash your hands thoroughly after handling it. Please note, that this film is specific to English ivy only. There are many types of ivy, and some can be extremely toxic such as poison ivy in the US. Always make sure you are 100% positive in your identification of English ivy and check with several different sources of information. If you go foraging for English ivy following this film then it is at your own risk. Also remember to make yourself aware of any countryside laws relating to foraging specific to your area.