The first on woodland management will be held on 6 May, and is being led by the Royal Forestry Society's chief executive Dr John Jackson.

The morning session at the Forestry Commission's Wendover training centre will look at the lowland woodland environment and ecology, growth and succession and the basics of woodland management.

It will be followed by an afternoon spent in the Hockeridge and Pancake Wood near Tring, practising a range of woodland management techniques.

For details and booking contact Linda Clements at the RFS on 01442 822028 or email rfshq@rfs.org.uk.

The second course, on woodland wildlife, is being held in association with the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) on 27 May at the National Trust Ebworth centre, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, and is being led by RFS education officer Debbie Cotton and consultant ecologist Phil Quinn.

The day will start with a morning classroom session covering an introduction to the woodland environment, growth and succession, habitat types, plant communities, Ancient Woodland Indicator species and European Protected Species. It will also consider current conservation issues such as habitat loss and degradation look at common mitigation measures.

The afternoon will be spent assessing the nearby Buckholt SSSI woodland practicing basic botanical survey and mapping techniques.

The course is open to student ecologists, student foresters and woodland owners/managers, and anyone with a passion for trees. For more information visit www.ieem.net/workshops.asp or email education@rfs.org.uk.

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