It's a jungle out there!

There’s a lot more strange wildlife in our parks, gardens, fields and woodlands than we might think. Take this little jumping spider for instance, who could easily be hopping around in scrubland near your home.

Jumping Spider

Now expert natural historians from the Essex Field Club would like to help us find and identify thousands of species of insects, spiders, other vertebrates, birds and animals we live amongst every day.

The Essex Natural History show will feature  drop-in workshops hosted by some of the leading naturalists in the country, who will all be on hand to talk about and help you identify any wildlife you have seen, drawn or photographed and are itching to know more about.

Experts in rocks, skeletons and fossils will also be on hand, so it’s an ideal time to bring over that strange rock lying on the mantelpiece and find out what it is. And don’t worry if you have nothing to bring this time and just want to know more – some star items from the clubs own historic collection of natural history, one of the most important in Essex, will also be on display to see and handle.

Other attractions include popular artist Lisa Smith from The Laboratory who will be helping children make their own fossils and designs inspired by the natural world. Basildon heritage will also be open with their displays of local photographs and other exhibits.

Fossils from the Essex Field Club Collection

Join Lisa on Saturday and make your own fossils using clay and plaster

Create a positive and a negative fossil

If you are itching to get started straight away, mini safaris hosted by the club and by the RSPB will be available to help you look at and identify the birds, beasts and plants in the park.

The event is free thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, who have given the Essex Field Club a generous grant to help them encourage and promote natural history and conserve their historic collection, which remains one of the most significant collections of natural history in the country.

Join us on the Sunday 22^nd September between 11:00am-5:00pm at The Green Centre, Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea Hall Lane, Basildon, Essex SS16 4UH

If you have any further questions please contact me on 07970332097 or email the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk