Wilder Kent Experiences: Walk with the Cows at Heather Corrie Vale

Kent Wildlife Trust’s Senior Wilder Grazing Ranger is an expert in the use of animals for habitat management, a technique that is growing in popularity due it’s positive environmental impact. It encourages wildlife recovery and adaptation to the changing climate, and is a model used widely across Kent Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves.

On this experience you will see Wilder Grazing in action, as Ranger Jess takes you to meet the cattle currently in residence at Heather Corrie Vale up close.

As you enjoy a walk across the reserve to find the cattle, you'll learn more about the theory behind Wilder Grazing. Jess will also introduce you to the characteristics of the different breeds on site and explain how their behaviours complement each other to manage the reserve for the benefit of wildlife, naturally but effectively.

Working with multiple breeds of cattle on a daily basis, Jess has considerable experience reading reaction and body language cues from the animals in her care. As you meet the cows, she’ll share this knowledge to increase your confidence and understanding about how to behave around cattle, including how much space to give and when the best idea is to choose a different path if you ever come across a free roaming herd when exploring the countryside.

It is expected that longhorn and Highland cattle will be at Heather Corrie Vale at the time of this experience, but please be aware that our livestock is occasionally moved between reserves at short notice for the welfare of the animals. Walk with the Cows experiences are taking place at other reserves this year too, including Oare Marshes (Faversham) and Ham Fen (Sandwich). Check the Wilder Kent Experiences page for a full list of upcoming dates and locations.

Please note there are no toilet facilities at the reserve, and no refreshments are available to purchase on site. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks with you, and a bottle of water is recommended.

Our reserves team are used to working outdoors in all weathers, so we aim to go ahead with these experiences wherever possible. On occasion the warden may decide conditions are extreme enough to cancel the planned date, either because they'll be unable to deliver the event to a high enough quality or because it is unsafe to go ahead. If this is the case you will be offered an alternative date or refund. Unfortunately, we cannot refund tickets if the event takes place but you choose not to attend.

Please give us 30 days notice wherever possible if you are no longer able to attend. The small group sizes on these experiences mean cancellations have a large impact on the viability of the event, and it can be difficult to fill places at short notice or after an event has initially reached capacity. Thank you.