Success for Biological Recording course - Transfer to Manchester Metropolitan University

[Martin Harvey]

Re: Biological Recording @ BHAM needs you

YOU DID IT, THANK YOU!

Biological Recording Programme saved!

With your help the ‘Biological Recording and Species Identification Programme’ previously administered by the University of Birmingham has now been transferred “lock, stock and barrel” to the Manchester Metropolitan University. Whilst the awarding institution has changed, the programme and personnel remain the same.
Business as usual

The pressure of this public awareness campaign made the University of Birmingham acknowledge that there was a real need for these courses and that they should look to another institution to transfer the programmes in their entirety.

The whole recording community, both professional and amateur were appalled at the potential loss of these nationally respected courses, and made their feelings known to the University of Birmingham. These included conservation bodies such as the Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (the professional body for ecologists), the Wildlife Trusts, Plantlife, National Trust, Botanical Society of the British Isles and the British Bryological Society.

MMU gains a unique programme of nationally recognised courses!

Biological Recording is the accurate identification and documenting of biodiversity. The University of Birmingham, at it Shropshire campus, has played host to the programme for almost 20 years, in partnership with the Field Studies Council and Botanical Society of the British Isles. The programme offers a highly respected and nationally recognised course in field skills, an area much neglected by other academic institutions. The courses cater for people in full time employment and attended by students from all parts of Britain, Ireland and mainland Europe. The programme covers the following courses MSc, Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip), Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert), University Certificate (Ucert) and, Day schools at the Gateway.

Manchester Metropolitan University is to be congratulated on their forward thinking in providing a new home for the ‘Biological Recording and Species Identification’ programmes in their entirety. MMU have retained all of the programmes, personnel and key partners, whose work has enabled the programmes to have such high industry recognition. Please spread the good news and forward this press release to any one you think might be interested in the programmes.

For details on the ‘Biological Recording Programme’ and any of the course provided please contact:
Dr Sarah Whild (Programme director)                      Linda Marsh (administrator)
s.j....@bham.ac.uk    l.m...@bham.ac.uk
Department of Biology and Conservation Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University (Shrewsbury Office),
The Gateway, Chester Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 1NB
01743 355137

Once again THANK YOU and well done.

Mark Duffell and John Handley.
On behalf of the Biological Recording campaign group.