Employability in Ecology: Terrestrial Survey Skills

The course will introduce learners to site assessment techniques focusing specifically on vegetation and protected animal species. Through a range of interactive workshops, students will be coached to apply their fieldwork experiences to the creation of industry standard ecological consultancy reports.

This course will not focus on identification, so it is essential that you already have some basic identification skills, particularly for plants.

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

• Explain the various ways to conduct a habitat survey, in addition to understanding what a Preliminary Ecological Assessment (PEA) is and what its purpose is.
• Understand the legislation that protects British Wildlife and how various animal species are surveyed.
• Appreciate why ecological reports are needed and who they are written for.

Who Should Attend? – students and those wanting to get into early career consultant and ecology jobs.

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

Prior Knowledge – This course will not teach botanical skills, so a basic ability to key out plants will be useful. No experience of surveying is needed, just a willingness to explore and learn.

Accommodation and meal options
For some course runs at Field Studies Council Centres, there may be the option to book accommodation with your course. If accommodation is available, there will be two booking options:

• Non-Resident
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)

If you choose a Non-Resident booking, this only includes course tuition and refreshments (tea and coffee). Please bring your own packed lunch.

If you choose a Resident (Sole Occupancy) booking, this includes accommodation with your own bedroom for two nights (starting the night before the course) and meals throughout the course (including an evening meal on the night before the course). You will be able to check in from 4 pm on the day before the course.

If your booking has more than one person and you would like a shared room, please email [email protected] to inquire.

Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable. Please also note that bathrooms may be shared.

Please note: Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be available. 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. 

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Evi Bevans

Evi works for the Field Studies Council as part of the Biodiversity Team. Prior to this she was an ecological consultant working on a variety of small- and large-scale projects surveying for protected and notable species and creating habitat management plans. Evi has a BSc in Environmental Sciences and has a passion for improving biodiversity and sustainability awareness.

This course will start at 10:00am and finish at 17:00pm on the Friday and Saturday. On the Saturday, there may be an optional bat walk in the evening. On the Sunday, the course will start at 10:00am and finish at 13:00pm.

Please arrive in time for the course to start promptly.

This course will involve both classroom learning and field excursions to cover all of the learning objectives.

If you have not booked an accommodation option, lunch is not included so please bring your own food. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be provided for all.

• 
  Expert Tuition

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 species
  • Field excursions to apply new knowledge
  • Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned

• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea/coffee)

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.

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.

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.

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.

What to Bring

• Notebook and pencil
• Lunch (if you have not booked an accommodation option) and refreshments
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
• Small bag to carry personal items
• Any field guides you prefer to use (e.g. Stace or Rose for plants)

Recommended Literature

• Land Mammals
• Bats Guide
• Mammals Tracks and Signs Wild ID Guide
• Reptiles and Amphibians
• Phase 1 Survey Guide- Grassland and Marsh