NEWS IN DETAIL...
Experts Share Knowledge at Atlantic Centre
Cornwall and Devon reptile and amphibian surveyors gathered recently at the newly completed Atlantic Centre in Newquay to take part in a national knowledge exchange project.
The project is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and aims to close the gap between theory and practice. Led by Professor Richard Griffiths, the project team from the Durrell Institute of Conservation & Ecology at the University of Kent presented key results of recent research and gathered the views of the 22 local experts.
A team of students from the Applied Ecology degree run at neighbouring Cornwall College Newquay provided logistical support and helped gather delegates’ views at the break-out sessions. The outcomes will be collated with four similar events held elsewhere in the UK and develop survey protocols to aid our understanding of wildlife and inform land management.
The day was a great success with delegates: “It was a really useful update on the science underpinning surveys and will help develop more effective surveys,” said Kat Cooper, an ecological consultant with 10 years’ experience now lecturing at Cornwall College Newquay.
The project team also considered the day a success: “This was probably the best of all the workshops we have run; it had a very positive feel, the student support was excellent and some very useful insights have emerged,” said Professor Griffiths.
The workshop was run with the support from two Cornwall College projects; Strengthening the Environmental Sector and Business Innovation & Knowledge Exchange; and input from staff at Cornwall College Newquay.
Andrew Smart, Head of Cornwall College Newquay, said: “This is the sort of collaboration with our national and local links that we are very keen to support. The value of this knowledge exchange between scientists and those who practice the application of science on a day to day basis is significant as we move to develop STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects in the Cornish economy.”
For more information about studying a course at Cornwall College Newquay visit www.cornwall.ac.uk or call 0845 22 32 567.
