Introduction to Ferns

Introduction to Ferns is a one-day study course held at Tyland Barn near Maidstone, led by Ros Bennett, Botanist and Ecologist. Discover how to recognise our native ferns using leaf shapes and other distinctive features, and explore the unusual life cycle that sets ferns apart from flowering plants.

The morning session takes place in the classroom at Tyland Barn, with a practical indoor introduction to fern structure and the identification features used to tell species apart. After this we will travel, with shared transport where possible, to field sites on the south side of Maidstone, including Quarry Wood, to see specimens in their natural damp woodland and hedgebank habitats.

By the end of the day participants should feel confident identifying most common woodland ferns as well as species found on rocks and stones. The course emphasises the larger frondose woodland species while also covering some of the smaller ferns found on walls and overhanging streams, and will highlight the key differences between major genera and species so you can apply these to specimens found in the field.

This Introduction to Ferns offers a practical, hands-on approach to fern identification for keen beginners and amateur naturalists. For further information, please visit the Study Days page of the Kent Wildlife Trust website.