Environmental Conservation and Countryside Management, FdSc

We have designed this course with industry professionals. The aim is to help you develop your knowledge and understanding of the countryside and rural environment. You will also gain the skills required to manage these issues. Brackenhurst estate, which is where you will be taught, is part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Environmental Stewardship Scheme.

The vocational focus of the programme will give you the opportunity to develop and apply your skills through:

• site based scenarios
• industrial experience with a countryside employer.

Why choose this course?

• Brackenhurst estate is a 200 hectare working arable and sheep farm where you will find a diverse range of habitats and wildlife. You will have with real life opportunities in this picturesque environment to become involved in:
  • practical estate management
  • conservation
  • land management issues.
• You will be challenged academically while achieving the practical and specialist skills you need to start your career in the industry.
• You will also have the following opportunities:
  • residential field trips
  • wildlife and environmental surveys
  • wildlife monitoring such as great crested newts, bird ringing badger watching.
• Successful graduates can progress on to the full-honours BSc (Hons) Environmental Conservation degree.
• Your studies will also benefit from a brand new 1,000 square metre, £2.5 million campus library. This is due to open in Autumn 2013.

This course will prepare you with what you need to enter the industry:

• background knowledge
• technical skills
• problem solving abilities.

DEFRA Environmental Stewardship Scheme

The estate is part of the DEFRA Environmental Stewardship scheme, which supports effective environmental management of farm land and countryside estates. They have developed many initiatives including six metre field margins of permanent grass to protect hedgerows and ditches from fertilizer sprays and soil leaching. Over the years species of wildlife have flourished at Brackenhurst including:

• Barn Owls
• Lapwings
• Yellowhammers
• butterflies
• moths.

Want to know more?

• From biodiversity conservation to carbon reduction - find out about NTU's environmental work
• Find out more about the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences.

How many places are available?

There are approximately 15 places available on this course.

When does the course start?

Please see the academic calendar for term dates.

What will I study?

Modules

Year One

Biodiversity Conservation

This module explores the biological diversity on earth, focusing on the abundance and distribution of species.

Ecology Terrestrial and Water

This module studies the abundance and distribution of species. You will gain a scientific basis and understanding for current nature conservation strategy, policy and management. The material in this module is the foundation for many second and third year modules.

Landscape and Land Use

You will relate landscape evolution to the influences of human activity past, present and future. You will also:

• Examine the value, opinions and policy aims of different stakeholders in the countryside.
• Examine contemporary issues, which may have a profound effect on rural and urban areas.

PDS

You will gain the transferable skills essential for working within the conservation sector. These include:

• scientific and report writing
• referencing techniques
• giving presentations.

The module also introduces the application of IT software systems conducive to working in the industry.

Practical Conservation Skills

You will implement a range of practical transferable skills in appreciation of their scientific and management context. These skills include:

• risk assessment
• appropriate tool use reinforced through a series of habitat and lab practicals.

This module forms a valuable and enjoyable part of the first year

Wildlife Surveying

You will take part in on site survey sessions. They will equip you with a range of common survey techniques typically used by ecological/environmental consultants. Phase One habitat surveys are complemented by training in:

• invertebrate
• avian
• mammalian techniques.

Final Year

Applied Habitat Management

This module is delivered as a series of site-based habitat and species evaluations on and off-campus. You will take part in:

• surveys and assessments
• data analysis
• discussion workshops
• seminars
• lectures.

Planning and Recreation

This module investigates the implementation of the planning system in England and Wales when applied to the planning of:

• settlements
• transport
• recreational facilities in rural areas.

It will taking into account the planning policy framework.

Integrated Project

You will select a site and carry out research in order to prepare a management plan for nature conservation. The module helps students to develop a range of transferable skills including:

• communication
• presentation
• report writing.

Environmental Monitoring and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

You will look at the use of computer generated models using mapping and spatial analysis techniques. These will be the techniques used in geographical information systems (GIS) applied to the subject of environmental monitoring. You will come to understand the methods and processes involved in the long-term monitoring of air and water quality through the use of case studies.

Environmental Law and Policy

This module introduces the legal and institutional framework within the environmental sector investigating the development, implementation and impact of environmental policies and laws at national and international level.

Industrial Placement

You will undertake a short industry placement within the conservation industry, which will give you much needed sector experience. Previous placements have been undertaken with organisations such as:

• Nottingham Wildlife Trust
• Forestry Commission
• British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTVC).

The career development focus of the module is complemented by a series of external speakers from a range of conservation organisations giving insight into possible career opportunities.

Contact hours

You will have 14 hours of scheduled contact time per week, of which approximately three hours will be practical work.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed using a variety of methods including the following.

Coursework 67%

• Coursework exercise – 17%
• Project output – 8%
• Portfolio – 42%

Exams - 33%

Where will I study?

Set in rural Nottinghamshire but only a 40 minute bus journey from the city, the University has close links with a range of countryside organisations within the county. We have over 200 hectares of farm and woodland estate that acts as an outdoor classroom and the perfect learning environment for environmental courses.

What do the course fees cover?

The annual fee for your undergraduate degree course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. Below is an indication of those items that are covered within the fee.

• You will receive a pre-paid printing allowance of £20 (which currently equates to up to 400 sides of A4 black and white printing) for use in NTU Print Shops.
• We will supply you with aboratory equipment, coats and safety equipment, where required.
• You will not need to pay tuition fees for your Year Abroad/Sandwich year when it is part of a course.
• You will not pay additional administration fees for International Exchange.
• You will be given two tickets to the Graduation Ceremony (any additional tickets will incur a fee).

What is not included in the fee?

You will need to budget for the following:

• general printing of coursework in addition to the printing allowance
• books and texts
• accommodation and travel costs
• travel and accommodation costs involved in year abroad, sandwich year or any placements you take
• graduation social events
• additional field trip or field work costs where not borne by the School.

Language classes are available via the University Language Programme at a very reasonable additional fee, alongside your chosen course. These do not bear credit towards your course.

Are you an international student?

Find out more about entry requirements, fees and accommodation.

Outdoor classroom

Brackenhurst estate is the ideal learning environment for you to study this course:

Hedge rows

• Here on the Brackenhurst estate we have approximately 12 miles of hedgerows, many being species rich containing more than seven species of vegetation.
• Hedgerows are traditionally used to provide a stock proof barrier or to separate various fields. They also provide shelter to crops from the elements, and prevent soil erosion.
• Their main ecological role is to provide varying habitats to many insect, bird, small mammal and some amphibian species, providing not only shelter or a food source but forming wildlife corridors, linking sites.
• The Great Crested Newt uses the hedgerow to move to different ponds on the estate, bats also feed in the summer months along a hedgerow.
• Hedgerow management is carried out under our Countryside Stewardship obligations. Hedges are cut in rotation using the modern method of 'flailing'.
• A more traditional method is also used on the estate, that being 'hedge laying' where stems or pleachers are severed part way through, using a billhook, and laid down at an angle. This gives longevity to the hedge, thus maintaining its ecological importance, providing a stock proof boundary whil teaching students hedgerow management in a traditional manner.

Field margins

• Field margins are an increasingly important wildlife refuge on farmland, varying from one to six metres in width on the Estate.
• They provide a valuable source of food and shelter for invertebrates, which in turn provide food for birds and small mammals.
• Ground nesting birds such as Skylark and Grey partridge use the margins for breeding and foraging.
• Many different species of wildflower can be found in our field margins, including Orchids.

Woodlands

• Semi Natural Ancient Woodlands are categorised as being approximately 400 years old.
• At Brackenhurst our SNAW woodlands contain such species as Oak, Ash and Beech, to name but a few, these are managed in several ways.
• Trees are high pruned to allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy allowing light to the flora on the ground, and brash (cuttings from pruning) are laid in lines called windrows throughout the woodland. This provides shelter for invertebrates and small mammals and nesting areas for birds such as the Wren.
• Coppicing is another traditional method of woodland management where stems are cut off just above ground level, which allows regrowth of the tree.
• Deadwood (Standing and felled) is an important but often neglected part of any woodland ecosystem and provides habitat for insects and fungi. Some tree felling is also undertaken to create open glades, diversifying the woodland structure even further.

Halloughton Dumble

• The dumble is a characteristic waterway of mid Nottinghamshire farmlands, containing both shallow and deep pools often with high sided banks.
• The dumble runs approximately west to east from Halloughton Village.
• The Dumble supports a variety of habitats vital for wildlife survival on the estate.

Pond and bird hide

• Sheepwalks Pond was created in the winter of 1995 by excavating an area adjacent to Halloughton Dumble that suffered seasonal water logging due to the high water table, and natural spring, which is located to the north of the pond.
• Puddle clay, as used by canal builders, was used in the construction of this wildlife haven.
• The bird hide provides students with a platform to observe wildlife on the pond.
• Notable species include Kingfisher, Reed Warbler and Bunting, Little Grebe, Shoveller, Bittern and many other species of Wildfowl.

Wildflowers

• Through environmentally friendly farming methods and its various habitats, the Brackenhurst Estate provides a haven for wild flowers to flourish in the summer months.
• Species such as Birdsfoot Trefoil, Pyramid Orchid, Cornflowers, Cowslips and Primroses, to mention but a few can all be found in the woodlands, field margins and grasslands within the Estate.

Local areas of environmental importance

Nottinghamshire comprises a diverse range of environments for students to study and is close to many areas of environmental importance such as:

• the Peak District
• Lincolnshire coast
• Sherwood Forest and agricultural region.

We also have the environment centre and laboratories that you can use during your time here.

Eco-library

Our brand new 1,000 square metre, £2.5 million pound campus library opened in 2013. The library building uses energy-efficient and low-carbon initiatives such as photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, intelligent lighting control, heat-reclaim ventilation during winter, renewable cladding materials, locally sourced materials and water-leak detection systems.

Our biodiversity analysis of the library site highlighted the need to check for protected species such as bats and great crested newts. We've created new ponds, fence-ringed areas and bespoke habitats as part of our mitigation strategy.

Peregrine falcons - watch our live streaming

The Newton building at Nottingham Trent University has, for the last decade, been home to a breeding pair of peregrine falcons, who nest on an outside ledge near the top. Watch live footage or archive video of the falcons nesting, laying eggs and rearing their chicks.

Green Flag status

Brackenhurst campus has been awarded the Green Flag status, a national award recognising green spaces throughout the country. We received the award along with other notable green spaces such as Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park and St James’s Park.