Training Course titles and descriptions
Those courses marked "LLL" are run at Denmark Farm in association with the School of Education and Lifelong Learning at the University of Aberystwyth. They are fully accredited courses at NQF Level 4.
Diverse plant communities thrive in the meadows
Biodiversity Monitoring for Professionals (Flora Locale)
If you are the manager of any piece of vegetated land, you will be aware of the importance of maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. A vast range of advice is available about how to do this, but determining its effectiveness is not necessarily simple. This workshop is designed to help land owners and managers to plan biodiversity monitoring, specifically to provide useful information targeted to their site. We will also discuss specialist equipment and how to analyse and present data in a meaningful way. Some background in ecology or conservation management will be required, and participants should be prepared to share their ideas with the group. The day will focus on indoor group discussions, although we'll probably have a gentle walk around the farm too.
You will need to bring the following: information about sites you are interested in. Because this is an interactive workshop, the aim is for you to leave with a clear idea of how you can monitor biodiversity on your sites. To assist in this, you will need to bring relevant information about your site. This could be in the form of maps, photographs, sketches, management plans, existing surveys and data pertaining to the site. We will also discuss reasons for monitoring, so before you arrive, you will need to think about your aims – why are you monitoring and what do you want to do with the results? Is any existing scheme is delivering the information you require? Tutor: Jan Martin
Restoring Biodiversity
Conservation professionals and others interested in biodiversity restoration will benefit from this two-day course, which will examine approaches to habitat creation and management as exemplified by the work at Denmark Farm. We will examine the network of habitats that has been successfully created on site and discuss how the approaches taken can be applied to other types of habitat, including contexts other than farmland. The potential of unrestored areas will be discussed along with selecting biodiversity targets. Participants will have a chance to practise their own skills by designing a biodiversity restoration plan. Tutor: Jan Martin
Stream corridor – plenty of cover and varied habitat
Pond and Stream Invertebrate Life (LLL)
This course explores the invertebrates of freshwater pond and stream habitats in and around Denmark Farm. During field sessions a variety of techniques will be used to collect specimens. These will be observed, identified as far as is feasible and recorded in the laboratory with the aid of microscopes and reference literature. Selected examples will be studied in greater depth to cover life cycle and structural adaptations to habitat. The course introduces students to the methods used to sample and monitor of ponds and streams and touch upon the management of these habitats in order to maintain or improve their biodiversity. Tutor: Peter Brown
Field voles range over all of Denmark Farm
Understanding British Mammals 1: Gnawers, Nibblers and Insect Crunchers (LLL)
This course will present a species identification parade of insectivores, rodents, rabbits, hares and deer and will include field signs, tracks, trails, droppings, nests and burrows. Habitat preferences, including where and how to look for these mammals, will be discussed and demonstrated. Their life cycles, their distribution and the conservation status of these mammals will also be covered. Practical and field work will include exhibits such as skulls, population and monitoring techniques, including field sign surveys, Longworth trapping and pellet analysis. The venue has excellent habitats for a good variety of these mammals. Tutor: Robert Strachan
Understanding British Mammals 2: Predators and Hunters (LLL)
This course will include a species identification parade of carnivores, seals and cetaceans and will include field signs, tracks, trails, droppings nests and burrows. Habitat preferences, including where and how to look for these mammals, will be discussed and demonstrated. Their life cycles, their distribution and the conservation status of these mammals will also be covered, include population and monitoring techniques. Practical exercises will include exhibits such as skulls, field sign surveys and dropping analysis for diet study (otter and fox). If possible, an evening badger watch may also be arranged. Tutor: Robert Strachan
Identifying Flowering Plants (LLL)
“Learning about plant structures and handy tips
to differentiate difficult species will be most useful.”
BTCV Cymru
Learn the fundamentals of plant identification, how to use floras and how to identify flowering plant species using keys. These are essential and valuable skills for field and conservation ecologists, as plants are used to define habitats and form the basis of the food chain. Emphasis will be on practical skills with identification taking place mainly in the laboratory where there is the time and equipment to examine fully specimens. A range of common species from local habitats will be used. The focus will be on learning how to identify flowering plants and developing the skills and confidence to use a flora, rather than learning a defined species list. Hopefully you will be able to make a start on recognizing plant families.
This is a core module in both the Certificate of Field Ecology and the Certificate of Conservation Ecology. Tutor: Margaret Howells
Rough pasture, scrub and wetland
Introduction to Phase 1 Habitat Survey
This two-day course introduces the standard UK method of habitat survey, known as Phase 1. It has a wide range of applications, including nature conservation, habitat assessment and development planning. The course starts with an introduction to the method, followed by a discussion of the practical considerations associated with planning and undertaking such surveys. Field-based activities will allow participants to explore the range of skills required. A basic knowledge of plant identification would be useful before undertaking this course.
Appropriate Clothing: A significant part of the course will be outdoors and will go ahead whatever the weather. Books and Equipment: Please ensure that you bring a copy of Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey: A technique for environmental audit, published by the NCC in 1990 and reprinted by the JNCC in 2004. It can be obtained from the Natural History Book Service (tel: 01803 865913) or Amazon. The ISBN is 0-86139-636-7 and the price is £14.99. Tutor: Jan Martin
Identifying Grasses, Sedges and Rushes (LLL)
“A practical opportunity to identify the taxa in a stimulating professional way.”
Pencoed College
Learn the fundamentals of grass, sedge and rush identification including the use of identification books (floras) with keys. These are valuable skills for field and conservation ecologists. Emphasis will be on practical skills with identification taking place mainly in the laboratory where there is the time and equipment to fully examine specimens. A range of common species, both flowering and non-flowering, from local habitats will be used. The focus will be on learning how to identify and develop the skills and confidently use a flora. Students should become familiar with a good range of common species relating these species to their preferred habitat and be able to identify these species in the field. A good voucher collection of specimens can be made during the course. Tutors: Margaret Howells and Sarah Watson-Jones
Restoring Wild Meadows (Flora Locale)
The course will provide an introduction to grassland ecology and communities. The relationships between grassland types, management, and change will be reviewed, along with practical guidance on how to recognise, assess, record and manage different communities. The latter will focus on ways of changing and maintaining grassland to enhance biodiversity. About half the course will be outdoors and some basic guidance on the recognition of common grassland species in the field will be available. Tutor: Richard Williams