Course: Woodlands: Condition Assessments in Summer

This 2-day beginner to intermediate course is designed to train learners in how to complete the Woodland Condition Assessment (WCA) using the Forestry Commission’s new app in the spring/summer. Whether you own or manage a small woodland or are an ecologist who will be using WCAs for Biodiversity Net Gain measurements, this course should leave you feeling confident to carry out surveys when trees are in leaf.

This course will include:

• An introduction to British woodland habitats and their characteristics that are used to assess condition.
• An introduction to identifying healthy woodlands, including awareness of invasive species, grazing pressures, and evidence of pests and diseases.
• Practical experience completing the Woodland Condition Assessment using the Forestry Commission’s new app with an expert tutor.

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Be confident in their assessment of broad woodland condition indicators relevant to the season including: age distribution of trees, browsing damage, tree health, canopy cover, vertical structure, deadwood and woodland disturbance.
• Be confident in identification of indicative woodland flora, native trees and invasive species in leaf/flower.
• Know how to complete an accurate woodland condition assessment using the Forestry Commission Woodland Condition Assessment app.

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use the discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off.

Please refer to the Field Studies Council website for further information and to book.