Curriculum Information

Introduction to Environmental Law and policies, and the Legal System of England & Wales. Understanding of legal practice relevant to wildlife and conservation including; Common Law, Tortliability, Statutory and public nuisances, Role of Government Agencies. Introduction to European and International Environment and Wildlife Law - Nature and Countryside Conservation, Legislation and Guidelines, The EU Habitats Directive and CITES. Understanding of Nature Conservation Designations including NNRs, SSSIs, AONBs, Natura 2000 network, The UK Biodiversity Action Plan, The Ramsar Convention, and The Bern Convention. Access and Rights-of-Way. Implications of the Water Framework Directive, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation)Regulation 2009 for landowners, developers and the general public. Introduction to international wildlife crime, species exploitation, wildlife harvesting and the trade in endangered species, bioeconomics of supply & demand. Environmental Impact Assessments and Ecological Impact Assessment.

Understanding of UK legislation and licencing relating to wildlife survey practices in the UK. Survey and identification techniques for key taxonomic groups including mammals, birds, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and flora. Introduction to key advances in wildlife survey techniques including DNA barcoding, eDNA and metabarcoding, and the application of GIS in the field such as DGPS mapping. Key skills in habitat classification and competencies in habitat assessment for the purposes of EIA and conservation assessment.
Local Fieldwork to include (but not limited to) Phase 1 Habitat Survey, Phase 2 NVC Survey, EUNIS Habitat mapping, UKHab Classification, Small mammal trapping, Hedgerow Assessment (HEGS & DEFRA) and Habitat assessment for species reintroduction. Identification of organisms in the field, to appropriate taxonomic levels (species, genus or rarely, family), using dichotomous keys, etc., of various degrees of technical complexity. Groups of organisms for identification will include: mammals, birds, flowering plants, grasses, lower plants, insects and other invertebrates.

Field Expedition based in the UK (site not specified) – Application of professional ecological skills in wildlife surveying and conservation management, to a specific site. Fieldwork centred in instrumental measurement, fieldwork surveys and analysis of field- collected material. This work will be conducted in various habitats using a wide variety of techniques. Students will learn to identify organisms, compile detailed field reports based upon data collected, for the assessment of real-world conservation management and ecological monitoring practices.