CBDC is very proud to launch the Growing Ecoskills project with partners Bothel Community Wildlife Group, Matterdale Nature Watch and Orton Wildlife and Landscape (OWLs), thanks to funding from the Royal Countryside Fund and National Lottery Community Fund. We currently have a range of courses open to all partner groups and anyone else interested in Cumbrian wildlife and landscape – scroll to the bottom of this page to see live training courses!
The project will develop a programme of ecological and natural history training courses for members of the three community groups, with a small number of places available for members of other wildlife-focused groups and interested individuals from across Cumbria. The courses are being co-developed by the four partners, with training provided by local experts whenever possible. The programme is below and will be updated as courses are added.
The courses are all aimed at providing upskilling opportunities which will lead to improved community provision, new entrepreneurship opportunities and business diversification.
Training sessions will include wildlife identification courses, including an introduction to terrestrial invertebrates and plants found in species-rich grassland. Habitat surveying, wildlife gardening and development of self-guided wildlife walks will also feature, alongside CBDC delivered sessions on wildlife recording. As the project develops, courses will be added to the programme and will include an autumn/winter programme.
The project runs from April 2025 until May 2026. If you are interested in getting involved – as a course attendee or as a trainer – we would like to hear from you. Do get in touch via the project enquiry form or book your ticket via TicketSource (use password: cumbriaecoskills if asked).
Download the posters for the events.
All events are full day courses. Tea and coffee provided but please bring snacks/lunch. For invertebrate and botanical courses, do bring a hand lens which can be purchased from online retailers and Summerfield Books in Penrith (from £4).
Programme:
| Date | Training course | Location | More info | Booking link (TicketSource) |
| Mon 09 June 2025 | Introduction to Invertebrates | Bothel Village Hall, Wigton CA7 2HL | Course overview | Booking open
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| Weds 11 June 2025 | Introduction to Invertebrates | Orton Market Hall, Orton, Penrith CA10 3RU | Course overview | Booking open
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| Mon 07 July 2025 | Identification of Grasses, Sedges & Rushes | Gosling Sike, Carlisle, CA3 0LD | Course overview | Booking open
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| Fri 25 July 2025 | Botanical Identification | Orton Market Hall, Orton, Penrith CA10 3RU | Course overview | Booking open
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| Sat 26 July 2025 | Introduction to Habitats, Surveying & UKHab | Penruddock Village Hall, Penrith CA11 0QU | Course overview | Booking open
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| Sunday 14 Sept 2025* | Creating Self-Guided Walks* | Orton Market Hall, Orton, Penrith CA10 3RU | Course overview | Booking open
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| Saturday 20 Sept 2025 | Wildlife Gardening | Bothel Village Hall, Wigton CA7 2HL | Course overview | Booking open
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*Split across two weekends: 14th September for main course followed by a session on Sunday 21st September OR online session on Monday 22nd September.
More sessions and dates will be added as they are developed.
Funders:
