Wildlife & Conservation Management

The Conservation sector faces many environmental challenges and opportunities from climate change and the impact of new technologies, to biodiversity loss and increasing demands for access to the natural world. This exciting new course under development for September 2022 will provide the opportunity to gain the knowledge, practical and management skills required to meet these challenges and build a career in the Conservation sector.

The rural location of the College on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and between two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty provides an ideal location to study and the Programme will build on the College’s close links to Conservation employers such as the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. The College has a land-based specialism and is a member of Landex, which allows a more practical offer than courses at traditional universities, and you will be offered the opportunity to complete an additional professional qualification such as Outdoor First Aid or a practical “ticket” such as Sit Astride ATV training alongside studying for their degree.

The course has a strong vocational focus and you will be taught through a combination of lectures, vocational projects, visits, case studies, individual and group tasks. As delivery takes place in all weathers suitable outdoor clothing, sturdy footwear and work gloves will be required. Alongside College attendance, you will be expected to undertake 10-12 hours of independent study each week, such as reading journal articles and books, undertaking research and preparing for assessments. The average class size will be 8-10 students.

You will receive feedback on your formal assessments within four working weeks of the submission date. Your overall grade for the course and your Foundation Degree classification is based on the marks obtained for all the modules studied in year 2 of the course. More information can be found here: Student Information > Regulations (https://www.craven-college.ac.uk/course-search/degrees/student-information/

You will also receive an individual tutorial session each semester. Your independent study is supported by the excellent Learning Hub at the Aireville Campus in addition to the College’s Study Support Centre. The FdSc Wildlife and Conservation Management is a nationally recognised qualification in its own right and is equal to the first two years of a full BSc(Hons) course. Once you complete your FdSc, you can move on to the BSc. Conservation Management for a further year of study or move straight into employment.

Level 4
Academic practice focusses on personal development, including study skills, team-working, presentation skills, self-reflection, analysis of information and development of IT skills assessed by a powerpoint presentation and research inquiry (20 credits)

Ecology explores the theory underpinning the distribution, abundance and biodiversity of plants and animals assessed by a report and short answer data questions (20 credits)

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provides an introduction to QGIS, mapped and other remotely sensed data used in the conservation sector. Assessed through a portfolio of workshop activities (20 credits)

Plants, Soils and Habitat provides an introduction to UK soil characteristics, processes and soil / plant interactions, with a focus on practical applications and is by a field report presented as an academic poster and a report (20 credits)

Managing Outdoor Recreation considers the impact of recreation on the countryside and assesses how this can be managed. The assessment will include developing and completing a survey at a recreation site and proposing management solutions to reduce issues and maximise benefits.

Wildlife and Habitat Survey will survey flora and fauna using professional techniques and includes visits to SSSI grasslands and meadows in the Yorkshire Dales. Assessed through a portfolio (20 credits)

Level 5
Managing Projects teaches you the skills, tools and techniques needed to manage a small project and is assessed by a presentation and a feasibility report on a small project (20 credits)

Environmental Interpretation gives you the opportunity to evaluate existing interpretation at a site and develops the knowledge and skills required to produce successful interpretation, such as information boards, podcasts or leaflets. Assessed by a survey report and interpretation design portfolio (20 credits)

Research Methods and Skills introduces the skills required to set research aims, objectives and hypotheses and to sample, analyse and evaluate data. Assessed by a research portfolio (20 credits)

Managing Volunteers develops the skills required to organise, motivate and manage volunteers, safely and legally to meet organisational objectives. This will culminate in the organisation and delivery of two volunteer sessions (20 credits).

Legislation and Policy focuses on the impact of key UK legislation and policy on agriculture, conservation and recreation, and provides the opportunity to explore future scenarios. Assessed by a report (20 credits).

Habitat and Woodland Management introduces habitat management techniques for a range of habitats such as wetlands, grasslands and woodlands and is assessed by habitat and woodland management plans produced for case study sites (20 credits)