Course summary

It has never been more important to understand biodiversity and how we can protect it. Throughout this course you will explore mechanisms for maintaining and enhancing biodiversity in the face of the unprecedented declines caused by human activity and climate change. Hartpury’s 360-hectare estate spans a wide variety of habitats ranging from woodland through to commercial farmland making it the ideal setting to fully explore this topic as you deepen your understanding of the scientific principles of biodiversity conservation and explore practical solutions to real-world problems in a highly applied way. Get hands on experience of surveying skills looking at the broad range of native wildlife living on our campus, including hedgehogs, bats, plants and much more. You will have the opportunity to work alongside academics and practitioners to learn techniques such as bird ringing at an internationally important wetland, the curation of museum biological collections, and the use of drones to map habitats such as on our commercial farm. As the biodiversity strategy for Hartpury is constantly evolving and growing, your studies and surveys will be able to have an impact on our developing policies and practices so you can be at the forefront of real practice. Undertake extensive field work to develop skills and explore opportunities to work towards industry standard field survey skills, complete a field identification certificate for the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland, gain certification in Project Management for Wildlife Conservation from Wild Team, and develop practical skills in areas such as chain saw use.