Botanical Skills- HAU

This course will introduce learners to the processes of vascular plant identification using a range of methods. Core botanical skills are essential for successful surveying of habitats whether using UKHab or NVC classification. The ability to identify plants successfully enables the differentiation between many habitats, provides the foundation for site assessment, and the description of the habitats of associated species of invertebrates and other fauna. Wildflower identification offers a foundation from which to build botanical skills. Learners will complete the course with the ability to independently develop these skills in the field having had experience of using floristic and vegetative features to identify a range of wildflower families. Learners will also have developed skills necessary for the collection, preservation, and validation of voucher specimens, and have a knowledge of relevant UK recording schemes and botanical societies.

By the end of the course, you will be able to: 

• Critically analyse and distinguish the morphological features of a wide range of plant taxa.
• Demonstrate expertise in employing dichotomous keys, flora, and other botanical resources for species-level identification, incorporating the use of comparative terminology and critical evaluation of diagnostic features versus general characters.
• Design and conduct field and laboratory research for plant identification, including the collection, preservation, and validation of voucher specimens.

Who Should Attend? – Nature enthusiasts, students, rangers, early career consultants and ecologists. This intermediate level course is open to anyone with some existing knowledge of the subject. This course is for those aged 18 and over only.
(You do not need to be a Harper Adams University student to attend this course).

Knowledge Level – Intermediate. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors .

Accommodation and meals

There are three booking options which all include course tuition, evening meals and refreshments:

• Non-Resident (Breakfast and lunch not included)
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)
• Resident (Shared room- please email [email protected] to inquire about this option)

If you choose a resident booking, this includes accommodation on Friday night and Saturday night, and meals throughout the course: an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

If you choose a non-resident booking, this includes an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday before the evening session. Please bring your own packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Please note that bathrooms may be shared for accommodation bookings.

If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached. 

Karen Van Oostrum

Karen has a love of plants and the environment, and enjoys sharing this with others, through courses and guided walks. A Biology graduate of Oxford University with a Ph. D. in wheat genetics, Karen was Head of Education at Cambridge University Botanic Garden from 2006 – 2012 and has worked with people of many ages from diverse backgrounds. Self-employed since 2013, Karen writes and delivers introductory courses in Botany, hosts school visits at her local Field Studies Council Centre, and supports the teaching of plant science in Primary Schools through INSET and pupil workshops. Karen volunteers with her local environment group in the Chilterns, leading guided walks and overseeing work parties.

Interested in becoming a HAU student?

You can find out more about the Biological Recording and Analysis programme here.

Existing HAU Biological Recording and Analysis Students

This 2.5 day course is one of your compulsory modules. You will be asked to choose your modules through HAU, and then you will book your accommodation and meal options through the Field Studies Council via an online form we will share with HAU.

If are a student and need more information about this course or the booking process, please email [email protected].

The summative assessment for this module will be set by HAU and will be completed and marked after the course.

Example Timetable

Please note that this course is currently being developed for 2025 as part of the Harper Adams University ‘Biological Recording and Analysis’ course, so there may be small changes to the example timetable outlined below. Once a detailed schedule has been produced, this will be shared with participants.

Friday

• 1pm - Course begins. Mixture of classroom and field site visits
• 6pm - Dinner
• 7pm - Evening session to cement learning.

Saturday

• 10am - 5pm Mixture of classroom and field site visits, with a break for lunch.
• 6pm - Dinner
• 7pm - Evening session to cement learning.

Sunday

• 10am - 5pm Mixture of classroom and field site visits, with a break for lunch.

Lunch will likely be in the field, so please make sure you make yourself a packed lunch at the centre if you choose a residential booking, or bring a packed lunch with you if you choose a non-residential booking.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  In Course Transport

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the topic
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea/coffee)

If you choose a resident booking, this includes accommodation on Friday night and Saturday night, and meals throughout the course: an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

If you choose a non-resident booking, this includes an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday before the evening session. Please bring your own packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

What to Bring

• Notebook and pencil
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
• Small bag to carry personal items
• A vacuum flask/drink bottle and a bag or a box for carrying a packed lunch.
• x10 hand lens (if you have one)
• Old jam jar or vase and plastic tubs to put plant material in
• Camera to capture images
• Your own preferred wildflower guides

Recommended Literature

• Wildflower Key - Rose
• Collins Wildflower Guide - Streeter
• New Flora of the British Isles 3rd Ed - Stace

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.