A Lifelong Learning Aberystwyth Ecology Course

During this Wildlife of Nature Reserves course, the practice of managing nature reserves to retain or re-create desired habitat conditions will be studied.

Our understanding of what is required has grown steadily over the years and is as a result of survey, research and experimentation.

This module will concentrate on visiting such sites to examine the relationships between conservation designation and management and the bird species present. In addition the value of specific types of habitats for specific species will be considered. The course is practical and will incorporate bird identification

A Lifelong Learning Aberystwyth Ecology Course

his course on Indentifying Grasses, Sedges and Rushes teaches the fundamentals of identification.
Green leaves that all look the same and no pretty flowers are difficult to identify. You will learn essential and valuable skills for any field and conservation ecologists and hopefully, by the end of this course, you will know the above statement is not true.

Emphasis will be on practical skills with identification taking place mainly in the laboratory where there is the time and equipment to fully examine specimens. A range of common species, both flowering and non-flowering, from local habitats will be used.

The focus will be on learning how to identify and develop the skills and confidently use a flora. Students should become familiar with a good range of common species relating these species to their preferred habitat and be able to identify these species in the field, producing a portfolio of specimens and a small voucher collection. A valuable course for professional development.

A Lifelong Learning Aberystwyth Ecology Course

The Identifying Flowering Plants course develops essential skills which makes it ideal for professional development.

It is also ideal for anyone fascinated by plants and ecology. Examine specimens and become familiar with the huge variety of flower and leaf forms. We also look at huge and often confusing terminology used in the wild flower books and ‘keys’. You will be given the confidence to use a ‘flora’ and ‘keys’ and identifying unknown flowering plant species on your own. Emphasis will be on practical skills with examination and identification taking place mainly in the laboratory. However there will be excursions around the venue to put new found knowledge to the test! This is a fascinating and essential core course for both ecology Certificates. It is an excellent background for anyone interested in both wild and garden plants.

A Lifelong Learning Aberystwyth Ecology Course

Modern methods of creating habitats from first principles will be investigated. You will gain an insight into the reasons why such techniques are necessary in relation to modern nature conservation and land management. You will be introduced to a range of situations where habitat recreation has been, or needs to be, carried out.

A variety of methods of restoration of ecosystems will be discussed. Participants will be encouraged to discuss the validity, in the context of conservation, of recreating habitats that have been destroyed.

This three day course is suitable for conservation professionals or experienced amateurs who are interested in expanding their habitat creation skills and looking at a range of situations involving damaged and contaminated land.

A Lifelong Learning Aberystwyth Ecology Course

Discover the diversity of invertebrates that can be found in west Wales.

The focus is on practical methods of capturing, handling and identifying invertebrates found in various habitats around the venue. This will include using pit-fall traps for those that crawl, beating and sweep-nets for those that fly and hopefully light trapping for moths and other night fliers. With the specimens indoors, their amazing diversity, adaptations and life cycles will be revealed with the aid of microscopes, identification keys and of course, help from the tutor. Techniques essential for carrying out surveys which form the basis of management plans for their conservation is also covered. A wider range of organisms are covered when compared with the Entomology (insects only), these including: woodlice, millipedes, spiders, molluscs, earthworms and insects. As a consequence this course is not so weather dependent and you could select a focus group.

A Lifelong Learning Aberystwyth Ecology Course

This course on British Mammals is one in a series. It focuses on the gnawers, nibblers and crunchers.

It gives a thorough introduction to these mammals including insectivores, rodents, lagomorphs and deer. Key features of species identification will be covered including pelage and skull examination. Life cycles, habits and habitats will be also covered in the workshops. Practical and field exercises will involve characteristic field- signs, with a guide to tracks and trails, feeding remains, droppings, nests and burrows. Population monitoring techniques and field surveys will include ‘Longworth trapping’ and owl pellet analysis. The distribution and status of these mammals, including BAP species and wildlife law will be discussed in the light of their individual conservation requirements.

A Lifelong Learning Aberystwyth Ecology Course

Field Survey Techniques is a valuable skill when seeking employment in the environmental sector. The course is designed to give a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in the techniques available.

Field surveys and data collection are essential for base-line studies and for appropriate site/habitat planning, management and monitoring. The majority of the techniques are demonstrated via simulations in the classroom with the opportunity to familiarize students with common techniques during fieldwork. To maximize time the course provides an overview of skills covered in more depth in modules such as Identifying Flowering Plants, Phase 1 Habitat Survey and Dealing with Data.

Explore this beautiful, soft, aromatic material by making a small round rush basket.

Rush is a wonderful material to weave with as it is softer and much gentler on the hands than willow. Ideal for anyone suffering with Arthritis or other hand issues.

All tools and materials provided. Please wear warm old clothing and a packed lunch.

Make a beautifully coloured harvest basket ideal for using in the vegetable garden.

You can choose to make this harvest basket with a round or oval base and with rope handles or finger holes. There will be a good opportunity to explore the natural willow colours. You will learn traditional basket making skills, using a variety of prepared basketry willow plus some grown at Denmark Farm Conservation Centre on the wetland system to add colour and texture.

This harvest basket workshop is suitable for those who have some previous basketry experience and would now like to focus on adding colour and texture.

All tools and materials provided. If you have your own sharp secateurs and a knife, please bring them along. Please wear warm old clothing and bring a packed lunch. Hot drinks will be provided.

A one day traditional willow basket weaving workshop in which we will be using a variety of natural willows to make a woven paper tray.

For this A4 size paper tray basket we will first make a square base, then waled sides and a rod border with rounded corners. You will learn traditional basket making skills, using prepared basketry willow plus some grown at Denmark Farm Conservation Centre on the wetland system to add colour and texture.

This workshop is suitable for beginners but a little more challenging than making this simple round basket.

All tools and materials provided. If you have your own sharp secateurs and a knife, please bring them along. Please wear warm old clothing and bring a packed lunch, hot drinks will be provided.