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.
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. 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.
Programme:
| Date | Training course | Location | More info | Booking link (TicketSource) |
| Weds 21 May 2025 | Creating Self-Guided Wildlife Walks | Orton Market Hall, Orton, Penrith CA10 3RU | Course overview (coming soon) | Booking open
Use password: cumbriaecoskills |
| Weds 11 June 2025 | Introduction to Invertebrates | Orton Market Hall, Orton, Penrith CA10 3RU | Course overview (coming soon) | Link coming soon |
| Mon 07 July 2025 | Identification of Grassland Plant Species | Gosling Sike, Carlisle, CA3 0LD | Course overview (coming soon) | Link coming soon |
| Fri 25 July 2025 | Botanical Identification | Orton Market Hall, Orton, Penrith CA10 3RU | Course overview (coming soon) | Link coming soon |
| Sat 26 July 2025 | Introduction to Habitats, Surveying & UKHab | Matterdale (tbc) | Course overview (coming soon) | Link coming soon |
| Date tbc | Wildlife Gardening | Bothel (tbc) | Course overview (coming soon) | Link coming soon |
More sessions and dates will be added shortly.
Funders:
