Nature & Wildlife level 1

NATURE & WILDLIFE 'The art of seeing'
Level 1

This course is aimed at increasing knowledge in the field of mammals, birds, plants and related subjects.
The focus at 'Level 1' is on recognizing and identifying species.

Under the guidance of specialists we will visit different areas and biotopes in the Netherlands in winter, spring and summer, 8 days. In addition, we will spend 5 days in the primeval forest of Bialowieza in Poland.

We make of  https://voshaaroutdoorcourses.com/  use as a digital learning environment.
The login code will be sent.

 The Online course Flora & Fauna is included

This training has existed since 2013 and is organized every year

The exact times will be posted on the site well in advance. In the week prior to a training, the participants will receive full information.
On the Voshaar days we will visit various biotopes in the Achterhoek and Twente (forest, stream valleys, cultural landscape, heath and peat areas). You can then spend the night (tent or similar) at our location. Exact times and meeting places will be communicated in advance via email

In February, the students receive the list of participants and additional information.

Mammals, plants and birds are part of the program during every day of the course. On certain days, specific parts are 'highlighted'.

Data 2025
March 15-16 Voshaar Saturday 1:00 PM – Sunday 1:00 PM
April 26-27 Oostvaardersplassen and Veluwe Saturday 1:00 PM – Sunday 12:00 PM (camping costs €10 to €15 pp)
May 3-4 Voshaar Saturday 1:00 PM – Sunday 1:00 PM
24-28 May Bialowieza Info: Bialowieza, Poland – VoshaarOutdoor.com
June 6-7 Voshaar Friday 8:00 PM – Saturday 6:00 PM
June 22 Exam 11.00-14.00

During the year, the Vogelwerkgroep Berkelland organizes excursions spread across the Netherlands. Participants may join until December 31 of the academic year.
Dates:
> Bird working group site

Dates 2026
March 14-15
April 25-26
May 2-3
May 11-15 Bialowieza
June 6-7
June 21

In Poland we visit the primeval forest of Bialowieza and the immediate surroundings. Wolves, moose, bison and lynx are some of the animals we look for. In addition, the Polish countryside is home to a wealth of bird species such as the black stork and the lesser spotted eagle. In 2023 we have observed 153 species of birds.

Course topics:

Birds
Mammals
Biotope and area analysis
Chance increase (how and where do I have the best chance of finding certain species)
Tracking
Flora
Insects (basic)
Fishing (Basic)
Amphibians and Reptiles (basic)
Types of monitoring and reporting

Participants must be in reasonable physical condition. Considerable distances will have to be covered on foot.
Overnight stays in Bialowieza cost around €45 per person per day, bed and breakfast.
We reserve the sleeping location
Transport by means of 'carpooling'.

Participants must provide the following materials:

-Binoculars
– Sleeping bag and mat
– Tent (or similar) for overnight stays on the Voshaar
– Good clothing and footwear
– Daypack (20 to 30 liters is sufficient)
– Field guide birds, mammals and flora
– GSM
– Personal first aid kit

Complete training with the certificate 'Nature & Wildlife Guide Level 1'

– Presence of at least 80%, including the trip to Bialowieza.
-Theory exam: Exam nature and species knowledge
(make sure you have a laptop / tablet or smartphone)
Minimum score 70% average on the parts
1- Birds 
2- Bird sounds 
3- European mammals
4- Flora NL
5- General:
– Biotopes, distribution, locations.
– Animal tracks
– Bialowieza
– Other species such as butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, fish, reptiles and amphibians.

There is one resit if the theory exam is not passed.
– Monitoring project of a certain area, for example a kilometer block: Investigating a kilometer block (near you) for animal and plant species.
– Logbook / species report of the trip abroad including
a- Observed species
b- locations
Submit before December 31 of the academic year.

Of course it is also possible to follow the training without wanting to finish as a guide. The knowledge in the field of nature and the experiences one gains during the course year can be reason enough to enroll.

Cost
'Nature & Wildlife Guide Level 1': € 750,- pp
(excluding travel costs, food, drinks, overnight stays outside the Voshaar, insurance and any entrance to National Parks, etc.)

Maximum number of participants: 10
(excluding participants MBO and Wildernis total)

Course leader Raoul Kluivers (born 1969) is an expert in the field of, among other things. birds, mammals and tracking. The passion for nature has been there from an early age. In the early 1980s, as a 13-year-old, he already started participating in monitoring projects for birds and mammals. Since 2006 he can be found annually in Canada where he is a 'Professional Interpretive Hiking Guide' within the Rocky Mountain National Parks.