Courses

Mode of Study

This course is studied part time through on-line distance learning. This allows those in continuing employment or with family commitments to participate. With the exception of several weekend schools and a short study tour, the learning is carried out in the student’s own home or workplace.

The learning material is presented using SAC’s Moodle web learning environment. Moodle utilises threaded discussion facilities as well as static and interactive learning programmes. Other on-line communication media are used for tutorial support. Once every term students attend a weekend school at SAC Ayr for seminars, tutorials, briefing sessions and farm visits and there is a one week field trip in each of the first two years.

Location

N/A

Course Description

There are eight taught modules providing for the development of a range of technical, practical and professional skills. A study week is also used to deliver some of the practical aspects of the course. In the modules an element of student choice is often built in through the use of essay and other course work topics that cover areas of potential interest. The modules will be of value individually to those in employment who are looking for Continuing Professional Development.

Taught modules are:

Planning and the Legal Framework

This module will provide a background to the legislation and policy framework within which the countryside is managed. This will include planning, biodiversity and landscape and will focus on the role of EIA and SEA. The planning system is prone to conflicts between interest groups and students will look at case studies that highlight some of the main issues that arise.

Habitat and Species Management

Habitats and species have been the subject of management for centuries but only comparatively recently has there been a focus on their management for conservation reasons. In practice species management relies on appropriate habitat management although there are times when more specific prescriptions are appropriate.

This module will look at management through a number of case studies which will be examined in detail. The case studies will include both desk studies and field visits and students will be encouraged to research appropriate examples in their own areas.

Visitor Management

Visitor management is a crucial part of countryside management and should be integrated into area and site management plans. An understanding of visitor management and the opportunities for education, interpretation and marketing, is a requirement for senior countryside managers. Students will look at the full range of visitor management issues from visitor profiles and motivations to site design and the impacts on wildlife and the wider environment.

Species Identification and Familiarity

The ability to accurately identify a range of species is crucial to aid in species conservation and to properly evaluate an area for its biodiversity. Central to species identification is the use of field keys and identification guides. This course will be based around a week long, intensive series of practical and laboratory based sessions to provide participants with the necessary skills to implement habitat and species survey techniques. Training in computer recording packages will also be provided to ensure best practice in species recording is maintained

Project Management for Countryside Professionals

Countryside Managers need to be able to effectively manage their own as well as the work of others. The skills of project planning/reporting/acquisition of funding and the proper upkeep of work related files and paperwork is fundamental to effective management. A strong component of this module will also involve the development of team management skills as well as health and safety awareness.

Integrated Planning Management

Multifunctional landuse is a well recognised term. It is part of the planning system at differing scales and with multi-partnership and stakeholder involvement.

The module will define both the industry organisations commonly involved in multifunctional landuse planning and the other likely stakeholders. The landuse changes proposed will take account of the historical and cultural aspects of the landscape.

Integrated planning management is undertaken at different scales ranging from individual project management plans and environmental statements to strategic planning at regional, national or European level. The module will look at how the production of these plans and strategies might be expected to integrate with other planning policy and legislation.

Integrated management systems are collective ‘tools’ which can range from feasibility stage to exit strategies and work on different scales of multi-functional landuse. The module will look at some methods in use which utilise GIS and planning software systems commonly used in the industry.

Production and Implementation of Management Plans

The requirement for management plans is well recognised although such plans often reflect particular interests and are frequently not fully implemented and monitored.

Good forward planning is essential for coherent, coordinated management which is most likely to maximise the continuity of management on a site. However a good plan depends on a thorough understanding of the site, its features (including biodiversity, landscape, heritage, geodiversity and recreation), the national and organisation policy framework and the views of the stakeholders who know and use the site. Gathering this information is time consuming and if it truly reflects this range of interests it might mean that the site manager has to modify their objectives and management practices.

A management plan should obviously provide a template for the activities that take place but it should deliver more than that. If well prepared then it forms the basis for future work plans, provides a forward budget for the site and can generate annual and longer term reports on progress since it includes milestones against which such reports can be measured.

For many site managers a management plan is a chore that is carried out every five or 10 years. However the writing of a plan is merely the first part of a process that has no end. The plan is never final, it is always subject to modification as circumstances change, the prescriptions and project need to be actioned and reported on and they will in turn help to inform future management and plans.

Species and Habitat Evaluation Techniques

Survey, surveillance and monitoring techniques for a range of species and habitats of conservation interest are fundamental to the correct management of any population, community or habitat. With the focus on conservation management planning and with environmental awareness increasingly at the heart of the planning system, the ability to accurately identify a range of terrestrial and aquatic species and habitats, using both statutory and industry best practice guidance, is to central to both good species and habitat management, as well as ensuring due diligence in ecological assessment work on behalf of developers and planners. Part of the module will require participants to deliver a survey to a professional standard for a wildlife related organisation.

This module will build on the identification skills learnt as part of the first year Module - Species Identification and Familiarity

MSc Project(taken following successful completion of taught modules)
Provides an opportunity for in-depth individual research on a topic related to countryside management.