EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

As permaculturists, teachers, and growers, we are passionate about sharing our deep appreciation of forest gardens, and the collective knowledge we embrace.

In our education work, we offer forest garden training and workshops on subjects related to permaculture. Our team facilitates education for school groups, SEN, Duke of Edinburgh placements, and collaborations with PHD students, among others. The community garden in Finsbury Park provides a host site for the accredited Award in Forest Gardening (Level 2), managed by the Orchard Project. This course was originally developed at ELL, and we are proud to say it was the first accredited training in forest gardening in the UK.

Forest Explorers

Our weekly Forest Explorers group provides relaxed drop-in stay and play for parents/ carers and little ones led by qualified Forest School Leader Aurora, every Wednesday from 10-12pm in the coldest months and 10-1pm the rest of the year.

🌱 Activities are primarily aimed at the early years stage 0-5 years, but children of all ages are welcome to join and respectfully explore the garden.

🪷 We encourage child led open ended play and sensory exploration of the seasons and the natural world through touch, taste, feel and imagination.

🌳 The sessions are completely free and do not require booking. Participants are welcome to drop in and out at anytime. 

 

Forest Dye Garden

We are grateful to have the expertise of Anne Barwick, a natural dye artist and grower. To find out more about what grows in the garden, you can read a little about the beautiful plants of the Forest Dye Garden, and the experiments taking place here. If you are interested to get involved in any element; growing, foraging, or learning about dying textiles, please get in touch with us or contact Anne directly on Substack.

 

SETH

We have formed a wonderful partnership with Urban Forest Collective, to create a new scheme called SETH – Supporting Employment Through Horticulture. This vibrant work placement scheme supports young people with autism aged 18-30 into education and employment. We use practical horticulture as a first step to come together, gain skills, to reflect on who we are, and what’s important to us. We practice the things we want more of in our lives, a valuable person-centred approach. Each week interns roll up their sleeves to propagate plants, identify herbs, prepare soil, and learn how to use tools confidently. Time is given for journaling and reflection, gaining awareness of our strengths, challenges, and future goals.  If you or someone you know would like to get involved, do get in touch!

 

 

 

Edible Mushroom Area

We have embarked on a collaboration with our friends at the London Mycology Project, building a dedicated area for mushroom cultivation. Already we have seen the fruits this winter, with a bountiful flush of oysters in the snowy weather. If you are interested in growing mushrooms do get in touch, or come visit us on a Tuesday!

 

 

 

Workshops

If you would like to join a workshop, please see more on our Events page. If you have an idea for a workshop that you’d like to facilitate, we’d love to hear more, please get in touch

Outdoor Education with Schools

We regularly work with local school groups on site, for outdoor education linked to the national curriculcum. If you’d like to bring your school group to our site, please get in touch