Project Fred is run by Simon Curson BSc, a trained ecologist with 10 years experience in teaching wildlife and leading guided walks. Before setting up Project Fred Simon worked for Sussex Wildlife Trust and as an ecologist for West Sussex County Council. As well as running independent walks, Simon regularly teaches courses for Hampshire Wildlife Trust and other local wildlife organisations. He has given identification training to County Council and Country Park rangers, Forestry Commission staff, BTCV and wildlife volunteers. Simon also gives wildlife talks on BBC Radio Solent.
Simon's wife, Mandy, often joins us on the walks to lend a hand. She has lived around the New Forest for much of her life and is very enthusiastic about its wildlife. As an amateur naturalist herself she is keen to lend support to beginners. She occasionally bakes cakes for us all to munch on too!
We are fully insured and have given an indication of the length and difficulty of each walk.
The walks
Our aim is to show people wildlife in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The walks are at a gentle pace, mostly over easy terrain and take you to some of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas of Dorset, Hampshire and the New Forest. Hopefully you will 'discover' places you have not been to before and learn about the wildlife that lives there.
We place an emphasis on the walks being enjoyable and fun, while giving you memorable and simple ways to identify the wildlife we see. We don't just want to show you the wildlife, we want to give you the skills so that you can go out and find and identify it again yourself.
The courses
More formal identification skills can be learnt on the wildlife courses that we run through the Wildlife Trusts and other local conservation organisations. They are aimed at beginners and amateur naturalists who want to learn more. No prior knowledge of a subject is assumed, so don't be put off if the subject is new to you. For most courses there is classroom tuition, but a strong emphasis is placed on practising identification skills in the field.
We also honour the belief that while it is important to introduce people to wildlife it is also important to help teach a new generation of naturalists. Consequently if you or your group require advanced ID skills we are happy to discuss tailor-made courses that meet your needs.
How it began
It all began in 1997 when a friend of Simon's was unable to run a guided walk and asked if Simon would do it for him. Being new to all this Simon started the walk with 10 people and a certain amount of trepidation! However it was a lovely, sunny day and there was loads of wildlife to see. Because he was unsure of the route, everybody was led at a slower pace and after a while Simon realised they would have to hurry if they were going to finish on time. Somehow he needed to fit in lunchtime too!
When given a choice, everyone plugged for a long lunch break on the sunny downland turf, rather than a quick lunch followed by a hurried march round the rest of the route. We had a very relaxing time eating amongst Chalkhill Blue butterflies and Wild Thyme with Roe Deer feeding in a field within view. The walk back was fun and leisurely.
Simon learnt what people really want from a guided walk, no route marching, lots of fun and a memorable wander around the countryside and some ID skills to take home!
So, we set up Project Fred in 2003 to bring people and wildlife together in this way. Our aim is to introduce the beginner to wildlife, and its identification, through guided walks and informal courses, while giving the more experienced amateur and professional naturalist the chance to improve present ID skills and to broaden their knowledge of new types of wildlife. We promote a friendly and social atmosphere where all individuals, no matter what their level of knowledge, feel safe and supported in expressing ideas or gaps in their understanding. We feel that it is most important that everyone feels included and that beginners feel encouraged.
Why Project Fred?
When we were first discussing the idea of running guided walks and courses for the public we did have a few doubts. At one point I even said we can't do this!! Mandy told me that her grandfather - Fred - used to say 'There's no such word as can't'. And so we referred to our new project as Project Fred to remind us what Fred had said. The name stuck. We did think of changing it to something more wildlife sounding, but we find that people remember a name like Project Fred and when we tell them the story of how it got its name, we always get a smile.
