Meet Alison, our Forest Ranger at Blackwood Forest
Meet Alison, your Forest Ranger at Blackwood Forest who has lots of experience in managing forest habitats and is an expert in all things wildlife and nature. Accompanying you on your Forest Ranger activities, Alison will show you all the hidden workings of the forest. There is a full programme of Forest Ranger activities to keep you busy, including Nature by Night and also Mini Forest Rangers.
Alison Seymour, Forest Ranger
Alison, our Forest Ranger at Blackwood is a forest school practitioner and early years educator. Her background is in Countryside and Wildlife Management and she has taught practical habitat management at Sparsholt College. She is passionate about the benefits that the beautiful woodlands at Blackwood Forest can bring to everyone.
Special interests
Alison has a particular interest in butterflies and is very pleased that Blackwood Forest hosts the Purple Emperor butterfly.
Favourite wildlife fact
The Purple Emperor is a regal sounding butterfly, but it does have a rather revolting desire in taste! They tend to feast in the morning on salts found in gravel, dog faeces, rotting meat and other pretty disgusting items!
Episode Five: The Start of Spring Migration
Spring is coming... and birds are on the move. Host Sean Bean joins Dr Mya-Rose Craig, Megan McCubbin and Jim Moir to explore migration, conservation and our connection to the birds around us. Our Forest Ranger Alison Seymour also shares how we support wildlife at Blackwood Forest, Hampshire.
Forest Ranger activities at Blackwood Forest
Outdoor adventures for the whole family
- March - June 2026
Little Wild Ones
This spring, our Forest Rangers will be introducing your Little Wild Ones to a hilarious story from bestselling author Nick Butterworth, about the much-loved Percy the Park Keeper and his animal friends in One Springy Day.
Oct - June 2026Mini Forest Rangers
Become a mini bird detective! Through exciting games, crafts and immersive activities – we're putting our feathered friends into the spotlight with help from our Forest Rangers.
Guided Woodland Walk
Join Alison for a guided tour, taking in some unforgettable views whilst learning a thing or two about the wildlife who call our forests home. Slow down, de-stress and let nature lead the way...
Forest Survival
You’ll learn all sorts — like how to light a fire from scratch and how to build a woodland shelter. Then it’s time to relax around the campfire and toast some marshmallows!
Sept - MarchNature By Night
Experience the forest in a whole new light as you witness the natural phenomenon of biofluorescence up close using UV technology.
