The course is intended for foresters, woodland managers and conservation officers, who will be given preference over others for the limited number of places available. The aim of the course will be twofold:
1. To provide an understanding of dormouse ecology and (in particular) to explain why we need to focus on dormice, and why dormice are good examples of ‘flagship species’ and excellent ‘bioindicators’ of woodland quality. Participants will also learn how to find out if dormice are present at a site. Woodland size and the presence of hedgerows, both critical factors, will be discussed.
2. To show, by example, how understanding basic principles can be applied to the management of woodlands, benefiting dormice and many other species too. Participants will learn how to support and enhance dormouse populations and make them available for visitors to see, to understand the coppice cycle and how to apply it to management for dormice.
There will be opportunities to visit areas of woodland to discuss different ways in which woods and trees might best be managed for dormice. There will be a ‘question and answer’ session allowing opportunity to discuss particular issues or problems specific to participants’ own woodland sites. There will also be a brief review of the legal aspects of studying or monitoring dormice and the procedure for obtaining licences to do so.
The course will be taught by Dr Pat Morris MBE who was Senior Lecturer in Zoology at Royal Holloway, University of London until his retirement. Pat has spent over 20 years researching dormice, he was responsible for managing Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme and for the detailed conservation research upon which it is based.
The course will be intensive, lasting 7 hours, and will involve an outdoor visit in the afternoon. Participants should come dressed for indoor sessions, but equipped to spend at least 2 hours in the field in potentially inclement weather. Lunch is not provided but refreshments will be available throughout the day.
Tickets cost: £80
To book, visit: How to Manage Woods for Dormice