The Rangers also get out and about from time to time to give talks and guided walks around sites managed by the East Dorset Countryside Management Service, consultations for individual school projects, wildlife gardens and site based education.

Talks and Guided Walks

Ranger-led guided walks are available throughout the year. Topics can cover wildlife, habitat management or the SSSI Moors River system at Moors Valley.

Time: Up to 2 hours
Maximum group size: 16
Key stage: 5-6 and further education
Cost: £30 per hour

Improving your school grounds for wildlife and learning

The eductaion Rangers can help you make the most of your outdoor classroom by designing bespoke spaces and suggesting engaging activities for individual programmes. Teacher training is also available.
Price on application.

Site based education

We believe it is important for children to take their learning home to their local countryside. All the activities in the Ranger-led education programme are available to be run at countryside sites in West Moors, Verwood, Corfe Mullen, Sturminster Marshall and Wimborne. Please contact the Education Ranger for details; 01425 470721.

What's under your feet?

'What's under your feet?' is an interpretive discovery trail at Stephens Castle, Verwood. The trail covers 1.5 miles and takes two hours to complete. It aims to illustrate the site's history, geological importance, why and how it was once quarried and its value to the local economy.
The trail is made up of four main sections looking more closely at heathland, ponds, geology and the relationship between these subjects.
It has a teachers pack available on CD Rom with downloadable worksheets and activities with supporting teachers notes. The activities are linked to the curriculum, targeting keystages 1 to 4. Equipment for the activities is free to hire from Moors Valley. Sessions can be self-led or Ranger-led.

Time: 2 hours
Maximum group size: 16
Key stage: 1-4
Cost: The CD Rom is free. Ranger-led activities cost £4.00 per child, or £1.00 for EDDC school children