(1888PressRelease)
July 01, 2009 - Dagging and shearing was on the timetable for these countryside management students when they got some hands-on learning at an organic farm in Snowdonia.
The Kingston Maurward College students also put their backs into dry stone walling, climbed the Y Garn, conducted a freshwater study in the River Conwy and visited an ancient woodland site.
The week-long study trip is integral to the students' understanding of upland habitat management and their learning was boosted with onsite guidance from the National Trust and Countryside Council for Wales.
"We stayed at Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia and the week focused on looking at the general management of this popular upland environment," said Lissy Carr, lecturer in Countryside Management at the Dorset land-based college.
"The students worked with a hill farmer on his upland organic sheep and beef enterprise, which was fantastic experience for them."
The two-year National Diploma provides a perfect grounding in a range of careers including countryside ranger, warden at a nature reserve or estate, or environment education and rights of way officers.
"The countryside requires expert management if its resources are to be conserved and developed," said Ms Carr.
"This course provides the management skills to make decisions, solve problems and plan for the future."
Students learn about estate skills and heathland management, archaeology and ecology, machinery, environmental interpretation, woodland habitat management, sustainable development, countryside tourism, and coastal management.
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