Conservation Camp – Margam Park – 19/08/2024

Example Timetable

Day 1

Arrive from 12:00. Tour of the centre and time to eat lunch and settle into rooms.

Afternoon Session - Exploring the nature of Margam Park

A 5km walk to the castle, Orangery and up to the Pulpit for a stunning view out to the coast. Using ID guides, we will look for signs of the park’s 3 species of deer, and other seasonal species.

Evening Session – Using apps to identify and record species.

Day 2

Practical Conservation

A day on a local practical conservation project in the park, or at a local SSSI e.g. Rhododendron management, balsam bashing, fence building, pond clearance

Evening - Mammal trapping

An introduction to the use of Longworth traps and small mammal surveys. Mammal footprint Tunnels.

Day 3

Spend a day at Bracelet Bay on the Gower. Rock pooling and identifying all the different rocky shore species. There will also be a chance to carry out a mini investigation on the effects of zonation on the abundance of different species.

Or

Visit Dunraven Bay Southerndown. With some stunning coastal landforms a secret walled garden and the ruins of Dunraven castle this is a great day out. The Beach is also renowned for its fossil hunting and rock pooling.

Evening - Bat walk. Camera trap setting.

Day 4

Crymlyn Bog/ Burrows

A tour of two local SSSIs! Crymlyn bog is a lowland fen and home to the elusive fen raft spider as well as several different rare species. We will explore the habitats of the sphagnum mosses and investigate the effects if NRWs land management.

Crymlyn Burrows is a sand dune system managed by the University of Swansea. We will take a tour through the dunes with the Warden, looking out for orchids and reptiles. Practice your botany skills completing and investigation along a transect looking at the change in plant communities and succession.

Evening - Camp fire

Relax around the fire – a chance to reflect on your experiences of the week and maybe toast a marshmallow or two.

Day 5

Morning

Freshwater habitats. Organisms will be identified using dichotomous keys and abundance recorded, while identifying adaptations of different freshwater invertebrates. Learning how to effectively kick sample, how we can use invertebrates as bio indicators of pollution and how to measure several abiotic factors.

Afternoon Reflection and final review of the course.

Depart 15:00

Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for students, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres.

This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 or 17 years old at the time of attending.   

We want to ensure participants get to share in their experience with those of a similar age. Please consider what age the attendee will be on the course date and check they fit into the age category when booking.

Bookings on this residential must be made by a parent/guardian as participants are under 18.