NEWS IN DETAIL...
Students Explore the Jurassic!
PROMISING conservationists from Duchy College Rosewarne enjoyed learning about different habitats and the world of geology recently when they visited Dorset and East Devon's Jurassic Coast.
First and second year Conservation and Countryside Management Foundation Degree students spent a week exploring the coast, learning about conservation grazing, discovering fossils and studying habitats and wildlife as part of their course.
Nick Taylor, Conservation Programme Manager, explained: “It was a great opportunity to look at a range of habitats that are similar to Cornwall but also quite different, for example Dorset is mostly sandy heath whereas here it’s maritime heath. The students were also able to study wildlife and learn more about geology, which has a huge impact on habitats and wildlife.”
Student Craig Oates, from Redruth, said: “It was a really good trip, lots of informative talks, interesting things to see, great weather and friendly atmosphere. Really relevant to the course - I learnt lots and have already used some of it in my assignment.”
During the week the group visited a number of wildlife sites including Lulworth Cove, Arne RSPB Nature Reserve, Brownsea Island Nature Reserve where they spotted red squirrels and king fishers and Chesil Beach in Weymouth. They also grabbed their geology hammers and went fossil hunting in Lyme Regis, studying any samples they found and enjoyed a number of talks by conservation experts and wardens.
Rachel Weaver, from Penzance, said: “It was an incredible trip; I’d never been there before and learnt lots about fossils and habitats, really interesting stuff.”
Jamie Pikesley, from Mylor, added: “It was great to see lots of different species that we don’t get down here, really interesting and good fun at the same time.”
Andrew Counsell, Head of Duchy College, said: “This was excellent trip, it’s really important for students to get out and see environments for themselves, they learn so much from experiencing things first-hand.”
All undergraduate courses at Duchy College are awarded by Plymouth University.
For further details about the conservation courses available at Duchy College Rosewarne please call 0845 605 0455 or visit www.duchy.ac.uk.
