About the event

What did the Chilterns look like 500 years ago? How about 5000 years ago? Was it covered in trees, open grassland, or boggy peat? Without a time machine, it is hard to know, but there are clues left behind that we can search for in the soil. Join the team in the search for ancient traces of pollen, insects, and plants. We will be using core borers to take soil samples which may have some of those answers.

This is quite a unique activity for our youth rangers and as usual it is open to anyone living in Bedfordshire aged 12-17yrs old. We require those taking part to wear suitable clothing for the outdoors and varied weather and wear wellies or walking boots as likely to be walking in boggy areas. 

We will meet at the Hexton estate Natural England office (directions will be sent around by email) for an indoor introduction to this activity before heading to the Hexton reserve to take a sample of soil. We will then return to the office for refreshments and pick up at 12.30pm

We aim to return in 2026 to find out what information the soil core provided and how this might help with future management of the land.

If this is your first session with the Youth Rangers pls contact Matt to ensure parental permission is completed before the activity takes place.