Worcestershire Record No. 2 April 1997 p. 2
Mapping distributions of plants, identifying birds, describing sites and the habitats and communities which are present - as the idea of biodiversity takes hold, how can we audit the wildlife of our patch?
Increasing numbers of organisations are acquiring a computer database on which to input field data - but how do we ensure that we have the data we need and that we know how to put this in a meaningful form?
University of Birmingham School of Continuing Studies, in conjunction with the Field Studies Council and the Botanical Society of the British Isles, has organised a part-time certificate to cover aspects of biological recording, such as use of Recorder database programme and DMap distribution mapping facility, combined with modules on how to record in the field, how to set up monitoring and survey programmes, and how to identify a wide range of species including mosses, fungi and a range of the more difficult higher plants. It is planned to introduce a range of zoological identification courses next year.
The course can be taken over a period of one to three years and the modules can be selected from the range on offer, with just one core module on Biological Recording (covering use of Recorder and DMap) which is compulsory if the full certificate is to be gained.
The certificate is aimed at
museum workers
wildlife trust officers
| amateur naturalists involved in recording schemes
| environmental consultants
| local authority planning and leisure departments
| environmental agencies such as English Nature, Countryside Council for Wales, ADAS, Environment Agency
| any naturalists who wishes to update their recording skills
| |
All modules are residential, based at various Field Studies Council field centres. It is a programme of study which the student can custom-design, accumulating a total of 60 credits to gain the certificate.
1. Identifying Wild Flowers
13th-18th June 1997 at Preston Montford, Shropshire, taught by S. Whild2. Biological Recording
4th to 11th July 1997 at Preston Montford, Shropshire, taught by Alex Lockton and Sarah Whild3. An Introduction to the National Vegetation Classification
14-18th July 1997 - at Preston Montford, Shropshire, taught by Adrian Bayley4. Mosses and Liverworts
1st-8th August 1997 at Preston Montford, Shropshire, taught by Martha Newton5. Introduction to Ferns
30th August-6th September 1997 at Blencathra in the Lake District, taught by James Merryweather6. The Fascination of fungi
17th-24th October 1997 at Preston Montford, Shropshire, taught by Derek Reid7. Identifying difficult plant groups
This module consists of a series of weekend courses on the more difficult plants groups. The courses will be run on a two year cycle and listed below are the groups to be covered in 1997. The student can select a combination of these to make up the requisite number of credits.Next year (1998) we will be offering umbellifers, sedges, pondweeds, and docks and knotweeds.
Yellow composites
13th-15th June 1997 at Preston Montford, Shropshire, taught by Franklyn PerringGetting to Grips with Grasses
11th-13th July 1997 at Preston Montford, Shropshire by Adrian BayleyCrucifers
15th-17th August 1997 at Juniper Hall, Surrey, taught by Franklyn PerringAll botanical courses are approved by the Botanical Society of the British Isles and taught by BSBI members.
For further details or an application form please contact Sarah Whild on 01743 343789 or write to her at
School of Continuing Studies
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
Or, you can book directly through the Field Studies Council field centres by calling Sue Townsend on 01743 850380.
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