About Wildwood Bushcraft

Since 2005 Wildwood Bushcraft has provided inspiring courses that combine survival skills, ecology, wildlife study and adventure. Our aim is to teach responsible, sustainable use of the natural environment, based on a firm ecological understanding. We believe that once people re-awaken a connection with the natural world they will value it more and want to protect it.

We have bases in Sussex, and on the West Coast of Scotland. We also run annual expeditions to Arctic Sweden.

Staff Profiles:

Leon Durbin

Leon is Wildwood Bushcraft's founder and Chief instructor. He has had a lifelong passion for wildlife and wild places. He grew up near Leith Hill in Surrey and spent much of his childhood learning about local wildlife and the outdoors.

Leon is a qualified and experienced wildlife biologist with a BSc (hons) in Ecology and a PhD based on otter research in Scotland. He has over 13 years field experience, studying badgers, foxes, grouse, otters, loggerhead turtles (Greece), kodkod cats (Chile), and Asiatic wild dogs (India). This has included 10 years living in Scotland, expeditions to remote wilderness regions such as Patagonian Chile where he was a biologist for Raleigh International, and a three month research visit to South Africa. He also led a two year research project on the endangered Asiatic wild dog in central India which gave him the opportunity to work with local tribes in the jungle. He is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the Institute of Outdoor Learning, Bushcraft Special Interest Group.

In 2004, Leon formalised his bushcraft interests and achieved a nationally accredited qualification (with distinction) to teach the subject. This year long NCFE course covered all aspects of leading groups, including bushcraft skills, understanding of the natural environment, teaching ability, knowledge of legislation, and health and safety.

Here is a list of his most relevant accredited qualifications:

• NCFE Advanced Certificate in Professional Development for the Outdoor Industry (Bushcraft Instructors qualification)*
• IOL Foundational Bushcraft Competency Certificate
• NCFE Foundation Certificate in Creative Craft in Wood Crafts
• NNAS Provider of Bronze Navigation Awards
• Level 2 Certificate in Outdoor First Aid
• Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate Level 2
• Level 1 BCU paddlesport coach (Canoe and Kayak)
• 3 star BCU Canoeist
• BSc Hons Ecology
• PhD otter ecology
• CRB Enhanced Disclosure

Wildwood Bushcraft courses are also run by a number of like-minded, accredited instructors and trained assistants.

* This is currently the highest level of accredited instructor's qualification in the UK.

Alison Durbin

Alison is likely to be your first point of contact at the Wildwood office as she helps with communications, marketing and developing the business. She is a qualified artist with many years' experience of running community arts workshops and projects, often with environmental themes. She has consolidated this experience by training as a Forest School leader and now provides workshops for young people which complement our pure bushcraft sessions with creative and play-based activities.