Habitat Surveying: Upland Priority Open Habitats

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

• Practice use of keys and basic plant ID skills – high beginner/intermediate level
• Recognise priority open habitats from their indicator species. To include purple moor grass and rush pastures, upland acid grassland/grass moorland, upland calcareous grassland, upland hay meadow, upland heathland (dry and wet), blanket bog, upland flush, fen and swamp as dictated by region and time of year.
• Independently assess (in small groups) vegetation by quadrats in the field and make initial comments on biodiversity.
• Observe and discuss indicators for degraded or remnant condition of these habitats.
• Discuss the suitability of woodland creation with a habitat mosaic approach, as outlined in the Woodland Trust’s Woodland Creation Guide and associated Site Assessment Handbook.
• Discuss when to prompt a specialist vegetative survey for your woodland creation project.

Who Should Attend?– Anyone who is involved in the decision making and practical stages of woodland creation who need to make informed decisions about where to, and importantly where not to plant trees.

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

Prior Knowledge– Some prior knowledge of botanical identification will be useful, but not essential. Some experience of habitat surveying and habitat types would also be beneficial.

This course was created by the Field Studies Council following advice from the Woodland Trust.

PLEASE NOTE: 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. Please see the ‘What’s Included’ section for information on accommodation and meals.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached. 

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

This course is delivered by more than one expert tutor. Your tutor will depend on the location of the course you book.

Laurie Wildwood

Laurie Wildwood is a professional Ecological Consultant and botany tutor who, with his refreshing approach, aims to inspire adults and children to explore and appreciate the natural world. His professional background is in ecology, conservation and habitat management.

John Handley

John is the Director of CH Ecology, an independent ecologist and consultant, providing surveys and training on behalf of conservation agencies and Local Authorities. John has a background within amenity horticulture as a Technical Manager, providing advice and training to Local Authorities, prominent sports facilities and private land owners. John is an enthusiastic communicator and botanist.

Matt Collis

Matt Collis is a freelance ecologist based in Devon and working mainly across the southwest. As a generalist ecologist, he has a good practical knowledge of most taxa including a range of botanical, ornithological and mammalian survey skills. He has been teaching ecology skills for over a decade, running courses for the FSC, BTO and Wildlife Trust. He also runs his own wildlife tourism buisness ‘Devon Wildlife Tours’ and is an international wildlife guide covering largely Europe and Canada.

Timings for this course may vary, so please check the start and end times of the different course runs at the bottom of the page. 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.

Lunch is not included so please bring your own food unless you have booked an accommodation option. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be provided.

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  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 topic
• 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.

Accommodation and meal options

We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

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 through to a packed lunch on the final day). 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.

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.

What to Bring

• Notebook and pencil
• Lunch and refreshments
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
• Small bag to carry personal items
• A x10 hand lens
• Your preferred botanical keys and guides.

Recommended Literature

Priority open habitats and woodland creation guide (2020) Forestry Commission

Woodland Creation Guide - This guide sets out the Woodland Trust’s approach to woodland creation. It describes in detail the phases of the process and the principles that we apply when looking to expand woodland and tree cover on an area of land.

Site Assessment Handbook - Our site assessment handbook is a complete guide to surveying your land for woodland creation. It will help you gather the information you need to plant the right trees in the right place, benefiting both the wider landscape and your own land.

Tree Species Handbook - This handbook aims to help with decisions about tree species in woodland creation projects, with profiles of 50 tree and shrub species and 18 woodland communities.

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.