Autumn Forest Harvest Events

Enjoy the autumn colours

Autumn is a bountiful time in nature with fruits, berries and seeds abundant. It's also a great time of year to get out in the woodlands and forest and enjoy those gorgeous autumn colours (Wild & Green is a fan of autumn, as you can probably tell!) whilst learning all about nature's harvest.

Rosehips in Autumn

The Forestry Commission run lots of seasonal events and, if you're in the New Forest this month, you might be interested in the following events taking place there:

Wild Foods of the Forest
Tues 18th October
A short walk with the chance to discover all about wild foods - from their history & folklore to how to identify and prepare them.

Tickets cost £10 adults, £5 children and places must be booked in advance by calling 023 8028 6840.

Other Forestry Commission events in the New Forest this month include:

• Family Fungi Forays - from 24-28 october
• Seed Gathering - 26 October

For more details on these New Forest events head to the events page on the Forestry Commission website

To find an event near to you go to the Forestry Commission's What's On page

The Enchanted Forest

The Enchanted Forest is an amazing annual event in Highland Perthshire, running, this year, from October 7th to 29th.

The Explorers Garden in Pitlochry is this year's new home for this light and sound show which is decribed as 'a feast for the senses'.

The Enchanted Forest gives you the chance to expore the outdoors at night - by light and sound!

There's a 3 minute video giving a taste of the event plus a photo gallery on the event's website so you can have a look what everyone is raving about, even if you're not planning on visiting Perthshire this month in person!

The website also has details of how to get tickets for The Enchanted Forest.

Nature In Autumn

If you'd like to find out more about the seasons and what is happening in nature each week then The Woodland Trust website is packed with user-friendly information encouraging us to get involved.

Visit the Woodland Trust's 'This Week In Nature' pages on their website and you can:

• Find a wood near you
• Find out how to apply for free trees
• View live tracking maps on what is happening in nature and where
• Send in details of your own wildlife sightings
• Download free wildlife fact packs
• Sign up for the free, weekly Nature Alerts

Find out more on the Woodland Trust website

Enjoy The Autumn Leaves

Visitors are being encouraged to get out and about and enjoy the glorious autumn colours that are appearing all over the country. 

If you've been watching Autumnwatch on BBC2 then you'll have seen some of those gorgeous leaf colours already as last Friday's progreamme was based at stunning Westonbirt Arboretum in Glouctershire.

The arboretum takes the number spot on the list recently produced by Forestry Commission England to celebrate this special season, their top ten spots to enjoy autumn colour in England are:

1. Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire 
2. Friston Forest in East Sussex
3. Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent
4. The Wye Valley in the Forest of Dean
5. Salcey Forest, near Northampton
6. Maulden Woods in Bedfordshire
7. Grizedale Forest, Cumbria, North West England
8. Castle Neroche near Taunton, Somerset
9. Bolderwood, New Forest
10. Mendip sites, Somerset 

Find out more on these locations via the Forestry Commision website: www.forestry.gov.uk/autumn

British Tree Week

British Tree Week, billed as 'a celebration of our native trees' run from 3rd to the 9th October 2011.

Visit the website to find information on:

• How to identify our national trees
• How to care for trees
• Find walks on the 'Week of Walks' section - themed walks with the Ramblers
• Take part in the Tree Quiz.

Find out more on the British Tree Week website

Eco Friendly Holidays In Argyll

Airdeny Chalets, Glen Lonan, Taynuilt, Argyll

Green Tourism Business Scheme Silver Award winner Airdeny Chalets is situated in 3.5 acres of peaceful natural habitat, which has its own bluebell wood and a myriad of wildlife. The chalets are set in a quiet glen and have spectacular views of Ben Cruachan and Glen Etive.

Airdeny Chalets offer an eco friendly holiday in Argyll.

Airdeny Chalets is committed to providing good quality service to its guests while also minimising the environmental impact of its activities and believe in encouraging sustainable practises to ensure the continued enjoyment of the environment for future generations.

Perfect venue for walking, cycling, fishing, bird watching, touring the Western Highlands & Islands or just relaxing.

Children and dogs welcome.

Find out more on the Wild & Green Escapes website.

A-Z of a Wildlife Garden

How To Garden For Wildlife

The RSPB website is packed full with great information and advice including a guide to making your garden more wildlife friendly, which includes:

• plants to attract wildlife
• species of the month
• animals & garden habitat
• featured month page with topical advice & ideas for each month, from garden jobs to do through to what's happening with wildlife that month

Well worth a look in our opinion

For more details visit the website RSPB A-Z of a Wildlife Garden