The Friends of Dalby Forest have teamed up with the Forestry Commission to stage a family day out in the 8,600 acres near Pickering on Sunday June 1.

A spokesman for the event said: “Text books have been scoured and top experts assembled to create a fascinating event themed around the natural wonders of the wood.”

The experts will include BBC television science and nature presented Dr Janet Sumner who will be shedding light on volcanology by building her own exploding Krakatoa!

Other events are also being inspired by a host of other “ologies” including orthinology (birds), limnology (freshwater lakes), geology (rocks), mycology (fungi), dendronchronology (tree rings) and ichnology (dinosaur footprints).

“Translated, that means there will be wildlife walks, butterfly treks, fungi hunts, stream dipping, bird ringing and fun dating trees by counting their rings,” said the spokesman.

Representing zoology will be Sir Bulstrode Badger, aka Tony Payne, a barrister from Bickley and member of the North Riding Badger Group.

Carol Robinson, a Friend of Dalby Forest, said: “Dalbyology is a great way of having fun in the forest while learning something about the world around us.

“There will be loads to do from hunting down clues about the forest’s prehistoric past to safely observing the sun which is called heliology.”

There will also be other activities including crafts and face painting.

The event is free, although the forest charges £7 for cars unless you have a season ticket, and will be based at the Staindale Lake beauty spot three miles from the visitor centre, from 10.30am to 4pm.

Organisations taking part include Scarborough Field Naturalists, Scarborough Museums Trust, the Rotunda Geology Group, Yorkshire Butterfly Conservation, Helmsley Archaeological and Historical Society, National Trust, Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society, North York Moors National park and the North Riding Badger Group.