Nature Recovery
NVQ Level 2 Diploma

• Introduction to Nature Recovery and People:

Gain an understanding of the importance of biodiversity and ecosystems for both nature and humans. Explore current environmental challenges and review existing conservation strategies and projects.

• Habitat Management:

Learn techniques for managing various types of habitats, and develop practical skills in habitat restoration and maintenance, including tree planting, hedge laying, and scything.

Understand how the maintenance work you do is affected by environmental value in terms of biodiversity, historical and archaeological value. Learn about actions to take in the case of accidental damage to a habitat, wildlife or landscape, and how the work fits into local biodiversity action plans.

• Wildlife Identification and Monitoring:

Learn to identify key species of plants and animals through a variety of techniques and acquire methods for surveying, recording and reporting on wildlife and habitats. Distinguish between different types of habitats by identifying defining characteristics.

Conduct basic survey work relating to the natural environment for habitat types and plants. Undertake practical work in terms of surveying and recording wildlife and habitats and collecting samples for analysis out in the field.

• Conservation Practices:

Explore diverse practices for sustainable land use and learn techniques for soil and water conservation. Obtain the knowledge and skills required to maintain environmental good practice at work and minimise damage to the environment, covering pollution incidents, waste materials, and physical disturbance.

Establish and protect woodland vegetation through practical work, which includes sowing, planting and encouraging natural regeneration. Learn about the effects positioning, mix and density of establishment can have on the growth of vegetation, habitat and landscape quality, and identify methods of encouraging natural regeneration. Discover ways in which vegetation can be damaged, and how to protect this.

• Environmental Legislation and Policy:

Gain an overview of relevant environmental laws and policies and learn about the roles of government and non-governmental organisations in conservation.

• Community Engagement and Public Access:

Develop strategies for raising awareness and involving local communities in nature recovery projects, whilst effectively communicating conservation messages. Learn how you can safeguard members of the public and the environment during site visits through promoting H&S procedures, following current legislation and encouraging use of the site in a way which causes minimal damage and disturbance to the land, wildlife, and flora and fauna.

• Practical Conservation Projects:

Design and deliver a land restoration project at our farm, Troed yr Harn. Gain hands-on experience through participation in a variety of local conservation projects.

Learn to install other structures which are not boundaries or access structures, for example, large hides, screens, benches and bins. Learn to solve real-world problems in relation to conservation and prepare for a career after your course.

• Health and Safety in Conservation Work:

Learn to ensure personal and team safety during fieldwork, whilst understanding risk assessments and safe working practices, especially during remote locations. Look at how to minimise environmental damage during any practical work.

• Communication and Relationship Building:

Improve teamwork skills in practical fieldwork sessions and promote effective working relationships. Use your improved communication skills to communicate clearly with members of the public, promoting sustainable and safe countryside access to the public whilst ensuring equal access.