THE NEXT David Attenboroughs are being sought in Gloucestershire as a range of new wildlife courses are being launched in the county.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) has partnered with Gloucestershire Naturalists’ Society to begin the environmental courses designed to train people who want to indulge a passion for nature.

These new courses offer the chance to learn from some of Gloucestershire’s leading wildlife experts.

GWT gives many people a first experience of the natural world through its annual programme of over 150 events.

Courses start from just £5 and include; an introduction to bird ringing, dragonfly identification and identifying Cotswold orchids.

The move comes after increasing concerns about the decline in the number of people capable of identifying birds, insects, flowers, mammals or amphibians accurately.

Head of community programmes Dr Gareth Parry said they were building on the UK’s rich tradition of naturalist but said the ability to identify our wildlife was in danger of becoming extinct.

“One of the great joys of nature is knowing what you are looking at,” he said.

“Inspiring a new generation of naturalists is vital to our ability to act as guardians of Gloucestershire’s wildlife.”

All the courses are listed in the what’s on section of the trust’s website www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk