Short Course Programme
Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland runs an on-going programme of short self-contained short courses, often over one or two days, covering many subjects relevant to understanding and improving the environment.
View our Short Course Programme here
Practical Skills
Practical skills training events provide the skills to improve many aspects of the rural and urban environment safely to a good standard and are the backbone of any conservation project. Many of these skills also form part of NVQs or other qualification listed in latter sections.
Examples of practical skills training include:
- Hedgelaying
- Dry stone walling
- Fencing
- Path construction
- Wooden structures such as gates and bridges
- Pond construction
- Tools and safe tool use
- Chainsaw use
- Basket making
Habitat Management
Training events provide understanding and knowledge of many different habitats and the species in them including species identification.
Survey methods and the development of habitat management plans and the skills needed to retain or enhance biodiversity, can be developed from an initial understanding of species and habitats.
Examples of habitat management skills training include:
- Pond creation
- Woodland management
- Meadow creation and management
- River enhancement
- Site surveys
- Habitat management plans
- Plant and species identification
Leadership and Management
Training to help develop abilities to lead and organise others in a range of situations is an important skill which is sometimes overlooked.
Examples of leadership and management skills training include:
- Leadership of practical conservation projects
- Project planning
- First aid
- Basic site safety
- Health and safety