Course summary

Human activities are responsible for historical and ongoing damage to our planet and the services it performs for us. As the human population grows, so does the imperative not just to mitigate against further deterioration but to actively seek to restore and recover damaged and destroyed habitats to achieve environmental growth. MSc Land and Ecological Restoration aims to develop a holistic understanding of the process of restoring degraded sites and ecosystems. You will learn how to identify restoration priorities, engage stakeholders, plan, implement and monitor programmes of restoration, evaluate the success of activities, and plan aftercare. The course places a particular emphasis on ecological restoration as ‘the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.’ You will develop a thorough understanding of the theoretical framework underpinning practical techniques together with the project management and employability competencies necessary to lead and contribute to restoration activities in the UK and abroad. The course is taught at Cornwall’s iconic Eden Project – a world-famous example of the successful restoration of post-industrial land, located within an area of active China clay extraction in the English county with the greatest proportion of ‘derelict’ land. You will have access to unique facilities at Eden – including Europe’s largest indoor rainforest, constructed soils, laboratories, teaching spaces, IT suite and learning centre and you will benefit from access to facilities at other Cornwall College campuses and at University of Plymouth. There is a large emphasis on fieldwork with visits to local restoration sites varying in scale from small nature reserves, through ongoing restoration by companies and government agencies, to large scale EU funded infrastructure projects that have transformed communities. During the course and subject to any travel restrictions you will also have the unique opportunity to visit a restoration project abroad. Working with our international partners and the global professional body for ecological restoration, you will meet local practitioners and academics, and contribute to ecological surveys and practical restoration work. With case studies and live employer briefs you will have ample opportunity to apply your learning and on graduation be well placed to progress to PhD research or enter an international labour market. Key principles and standards developed by professional bodies including the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) and Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) are embedded in the programme to prepare you for professional recognition.