A Career in Conservation

Are you interested in learning more about wildlife in stunning locations or thinking of a change of career enhancing your own professional development in Field and Conservation Ecology?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that Denmark Farm Conservation Centre is one of a handful of interesting venues, in West Wales, offering ecology and conservation courses as part of Aberystwyth University Lifelong Learning, Certificate in Field Ecology and Diploma in Field and Conservation Ecology?

These courses offer a flexible path to professional development and personal learning. 

Many students take one or two courses every year simply out of personal interest … just dip in to the programme and you may become engrossed in the courses on offer.

In 2016, nine students who began in this way were awarded Certificates of Higher Education in Field Ecology. Their achievement reflects not only their personal interest but their ability to rise to the challenge and study the natural world through Lifelong Learning courses.

Here’s what several students who underwent many of their courses at Denmark Farm have to say…

I was made redundant from a previous job in early 2016. I thought carefully about what I wanted to do next, what was important to me and to continue learning. As I already knew about the Life Long Learning courses being run at Denmark Farm I looked further into the Certificate in Field Ecology being run by Aberystwyth University through the Life Long Learning department. After discussions with the Uni, I was given permission to complete the Certificate within a year as I had received funding for a year. I believe most people complete it in 2-4 years.

Many of the courses are run through Denmark Farm, which is ideal for me as I live locally. I also attended other courses at other venues as well. There are 4 core courses and then there is a choice of others depending on your interests that can be taken as part of the Certificate in Field Ecology.

All the courses I attended were brilliant! The tutors were experts in their field, enthusiastic and delivered interesting subjects in a variety of ways through classroom and outdoor sessions. Each individual course was run over 3 days and then you had to complete the course work for assessment afterwards. After attending 12 different courses over the year and gaining good marks in the assessments, I was so pleased to receive the award at a ceremony at Aberystwyth University!

What’s next? I’m going to start studying for the next level – The Diploma in Field and Conservation Ecology. Some of these are run through Denmark Farm as well!

Linda Bradshaw-Wood

The Field Ecology Certificate offers a range of courses which allowed me to choose those based around my personal interests.  I was able to explore a wide variety of species groups, from butterflies and dragonflies to amphibians and flowering plants, and even the life of rock pools.  I recommend this course to anyone who wishes to improve their identification skills, as the quality of teaching has been excellent.

Chloe Griffiths

Everyone is welcome on these courses and a Scientific background is not required. The programme gives a wide choice of courses at several venues, offering interesting choices especially to anyone fascinated by the living world and the local environment.

Courses coming up at Denmark Farm over the next two terms include: Field Survey Techniques, Digital Outdoor Photography, Ecology 1, Bird Identification, Understanding British Mammals 1, Plant Diversity, Wildlife Digital Photography, Identifying Flowering Plants and Grasses, Sedges & Rushes.

In 2019 we are also running a number of our own ecology and species ID courses including Phase 1 Habitat Survey and Identifying Butterflies, Day-flying Moths, Dragonflies and Damselflies.

Have a look at our full events list for dates and details.

If you live further afield we offer a range of affordable accommodation options at Denmark Farm ranging from £12.50 per night for Eco Camping to £37 per night for a private en-suite room in the Eco Lodge. All our accommodation is self-catering which provides students with more flexibility.

So what are you waiting for? … There is no time like the present to take your first steps in learning about ecology.