Ways to get involved with the EGI
We are happy to hold bird ringing demonstrations and give short talks about our work at Wytham Woods. If you are from a school or youth organisation and would like to enquire about this, please contact us at egi@biology.ox.ac.uk.
Other relevant outreach opportunities
There are also several outreach activities and programs offered by the Wytham Woods estate and Hill End Outdoor Education Centre that you might be interested in!
Examples of activities offered at Wytham Woods include
Educational Visits & Workshops
Wytham Woods hosts Forest School sessions for local primary schools, providing outdoor classrooms for nature studies and team-building activities. They run workshops such as "BugBlitz," which engage primary school students in hands-on biodiversity studies, including insect identification and microscope sessions. Wytham Woods also offers a unique place for secondary school students to gain fieldwork experience and the estate team have held information sessions to discuss their benefit with local teachers.
Public Engagement Events
They organise creative events to bridge art and science, including writing workshops with their writer-in-residence, Dr. Charlie Lee-Potter, and printmaking workshops and exhibitions run by The Wytham Studio.
Wytham Woods regularly partners with the University of Oxford's Museum of Natural History to host exhibitions that showcase ecological research undertaken at the woods. And they have also hosted the "Woods Come to Town" lecture series, aiming to bring Wytham's scientific research to broader audiences.
Citizen Science Projects
Wytham Woods encourage public participation in ecological monitoring through projects like fungi and bee monitoring, allowing volunteers to contribute to scientific research. Volunteers can also submit wildlife observations via the iRecord smartphone app, aiding in data collection and monitoring.
For more info, visit www.wythamwoods.ox.ac.uk
Outreach opportunities at Hill End Outdoor Education Centre
Education programmes for children:
Hill End offers tailor-made experiences for schools from day trips to residential packages, including accommodation, catering, and activities that focus on outdoor learning and team-building. They provide led sessions run by experienced tutors, designed to bring education to life through hands-on outdoor experiences. Hill End also delivers alternative education programs aimed at addressing individual needs through outdoor physical activities, promoting emotional resilience and confidence.
Training courses for adults:
They offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for adults, including topics like mindfulness and forest school training. Hill End supports work experience programs, offering training and experience with horticulture, grounds maintenance and hospitality, besides providing regular volunteering opportunities.
Hill End also regularly hosts community events and festivals, encouraging broader participation and a deeper connection with nature. To find out more, visit: hill-end.org
