NEWS IN DETAIL...
Exploring the World of the Spider . . .
UNDERGRADUATES from Duchy College Rosewarne came face-to-face with arachnids this week when they took part in a biological recording workshop as part of their studies.
Conservation and Countryside Management Foundation Degree students learnt about spider identification in a workshop run by the Environmental Records Centre of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS).
Nick Taylor, Conservation Programme Manager, explained; “It’s a fascinating workshop, well attended by our students as well as staff from various conservation organisations. The students have found several quite rare spiders here on the Rosewarne campus, which is very exciting. They attend a series of these workshops as part of their foundation degree programme and it is a great opportunity for them to meet and learn from conservation specialists.”
The group explored the College grounds to collect specimens before taking their findings back to the lab for identification and recording.
Danny Cooper, from Par, said: “It’s been great so far, I know a bit about spiders but hope to know a lot more by the end of the day. I really enjoy this kind of thing; I like getting outdoors and finding specimens and then identifying them up to species level.”
ERCCIS will add all records to their database which contributes to the knowledge of Cornwall's flora and fauna.
Andrew Counsell, Head of Duchy College, said: “This was fantastic experience for the students, these workshops really enhance our curriculum and it’s a great opportunity for students to expand their knowledge, get out in to the field and learn from the experts.”
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.
