About the event

We are excited to once again be working in conjunction with The Thames Basin Heaths Partnership to offer this unique session.

We will be starting this course in a classroom on Horsell Common. Michael Jones, Education & Engagement Officer for the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership will enlighten us through an hour presentation introducing the wonderful array of species that call heathland home. He will also discuss the history and global importance of this special habitat before sharing insights into how the public can help to preserve the future of our amazing local heathlands.

Following a short break, Michael will then guide us around Horsell Common introducing us to the various species on this site while describing how the landscape is managed for their benefit. This stroll will take place on even ground but covers approximately 2 miles. Bring a packed lunch and we will find the perfect spot to enjoy a sandwich surrounded by the heath.

There is plenty of free parking and a local café at Heather Farm, should you wish to have a coffee afterwards.

** If the weather on the day is prohibitively poor, we will not take the walk. But this decision would only be made if it was deemed unsafe to do so.

The Thames Basin Heaths Partnership is a ground-breaking partnership of local councils, land managers and nature conservation bodies conserving the heathland of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. For more information on the work of the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership, visit www.tbhpartnership.org.uk/about-us/

Tutor Profile - Michael Jones

Michael is the Education & Engagement Officer for the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership. He has worked in conservation for the past eight years and was a secondary school teacher before that.

Before working for the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership, Michael, was a Ranger with the Surrey Wildlife Trust and a Field Officer with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. He also volunteers with the RSPB at Pulborough Brooks as a Wildlife Explorers leader.

He absolutely loves nature and can usually be found out in the countryside with a pair of binoculars and a camera learning all he can about the natural world. His favourite bird is the European Nightjar and he runs as many walks as he can in the summer introducing local people to these magical nocturnal superstars.

He spends his work time connecting local people with wildlife – from working with local schools, to community groups and encouraging heathland visitors to become citizen scientists, recording the species they spot on their walks.

Michael runs the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership’s schools programme, sharing the wonders of local heathlands in classrooms and, whenever possible, out on the heaths. In these sessions, children learn about a habitat rarer than rainforest that provides a home for some amazing wildlife, like the nocturnal Nightjar, the super-camouflaged Grayling butterfly and the carnivorous Sundew! Heathland is at risk from disturbance to ground-nesting birds and from destructive wildfires and he encourages people to look after it.