Training
Training by the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park has a new programme of biodiversity training courses for Summer 2015. Many courses are free, and the others are of low cost. Concession rates are available for Tower Hamlets Residents, over-60s and students. Booking is essential for all courses, even the free ones. Please visit the Friends' website or e-mail Tess Pettinger to book your place.

Overview of upcoming courses
Sun 14 June – Discovering Wild Food & Herb Plants - £35/£28 concession
Sat 20 June – Pollinator & Plants – Pay by donation (min £5)
Thu 2 July – Grassland Wildflowers – Free
Sat 18 July – Urban Butterflies - £35/£28 concession
Thu 23 July – Wildlife Ponds – Free

Further information can be found in this flyer.

FoTHCP is also able to organise bespoke training courses tailored to an individual organisation's requirements. The bespoke courses can take place at the Cemetery Park, at your site, or a combination of the two. Please contact Tess Pettinger on 0208 983 1277 or by e-mail to discuss in further detail.

Wild Talent - train for a Level 2 workbased Diploma (NVQ) in Environmental Conservation
Do you love wildlife and working outdoors?
Are you practically minded and willing to learn new skills?
Have you thought about a career in nature conservation?
If you are 18 or over and live in London, you could be eligible for Wild Talent - a paid, one year traineeship with London Wildlife Trust. This work-based, practical training also involves some written work and leads to a Level 2 Work-based Diploma in Environmental Conservation. Wild Talent aims to address skill shortages in the nature conservation sector and increase the diversity of our workforce. We aim to challenge the barriers that exclude  people from working in environmental conservation.
To find out more, see the London Wildlife Trust website or contact Helen Wallis on 07964 951 991 or by e-mail. Closing date for applications is 15 June 2015.

E-learning on invasive non-native species 
The Non-native Species Secretariat (NNNS) has been developing an online training (e-learning) package in invasive non-native species, which is now freely available for use. The e-learning currently consists of five topics: 

  • Introduction to invasive non-native species;
  • Introduction to identification and recording;
  • Identification of invasive freshwater plants;
  • Identification of invasive freshwater invertebrates;
  • Identification of invasive riparian plants.

A test is available for each topic. Once a participant has passed the test, they will be able to download a certificate. To access the e-learning, please follow this link. Participants will need to register to take the e-learning, instructions on how to do this can be found on the home page. More information and a link to the e-learning site can also be found through the training pages of the NNSS website.

Other training
TCV London has a programme of Short Courses for both beginners and professionals,

covering a wide range of subjects, from Leadership and Risk Assessment to Practical Conservation Skills, Tree and Wildflower Identification, Surveying and Monitoring. For more details see the TCV website.

TCV also offers bespoke training courses to volunteer groups and organisations who require advice and guidance in the safe and effective running of practical conservation and horticultural projects.  For further details please contact: Clif Osborne, Training Development Officer on 020 7278 4294.

The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management runs a series of conferences, workshops and masterclasses for professional ecologists. See the CIEEM website for full details.

The Field Studies Council runs a wide range of courses on all aspects of ecology and natural history. The website provides details of courses all over the country, aimed at individuals and families, schools and colleges, teachers and environmental professionals.