Join our postgraduate students on a CAT teaching week and investigate restoration methods for habitats, setting goals, and what a successful ecosystem restoration project looks like. 

You will find what it is like to study on one of our postgraduate courses at CAT while analysing the theoretical science and practical implications of species reintroductions, rewilding and invasive species control, the value of policy, and community involvement and public support.

Key Information 

• Duration: five days 
• Upcoming dates: Monday 20 – Friday 24 April 2026  
• Start and finish times: starts at 10am and ends at 3pm on the last day 
• Fees: £700 
• Includes: tuition, all materials, lunch (accommodation can be booked separately)  
• What to bring: good boots and waterproof clothing is advised 
• Terms and Conditions: 

  • You must be 18 years or over to attend our courses. 
  • For full list of terms and conditions click here 

Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for joining the course at the end of the week. If attendees wish to enrol on a postgraduate course at CAT and take the module within their future course, they will be able to receive a discount on tuition costs. 

Who is this course aimed at?  

This week is aimed at people who wish to have a taster of studying at postgraduate level at CAT, with an interest in ecosystem restoration projects. 

What you will learn 

During this short course participants will look at the role of ecosystems in sustainability, focusing on their role as a sink for carbon, their impact on water cycles, carbon cycles and other biogeochemical cycles, along with other ecosystem services. 

Topics covered includes: 

• Ecosystem change over time and space, biodiversity and connectedness 
• The science behind concepts such as rewilding, reintroduction and management of invasive species, and physical habitat management approaches 
• Restoration of natural, semi-natural and peri-urban spaces 
• The role of communities 
• The impact of restoration on communities and economies 
• The impact of national and international legislation. 

How will I learn 

Through pre-reading and some pre-recorded introductory lectures, live in person lectures, discussions, group activities and practical activities at CAT and on field trips.   

This short course is part of the teaching week for the MSc module Restoration Ecology. 

Please be aware there may be some activities and content during the week only available to students, where an activity isn’t appropriate for the short course attendee, we will endeavour to arrange a replacement activity.

Tutors 

Dr Alexandra Hamer

Alexandra Hamer is a senior lecturer at CAT’s Graduate School, teaching students on our MSc in Sustainability courses. She teaches on our postgraduate modules focusing on ecology and food. She also contributes GIS support to other modules and is particularly interested in helping students to become confident in the use of GIS.

Dr Jane Fisher

Jane is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for our Sustainability and Ecology and Sustainability and Behaviour Change courses. Mainly involved in the management of our programmes, she also teaches lectures and practicals for both on-site and distance-learning students. Jane previously worked as a BSc programme leader in ecology and conservation at Liverpool John Moores.

Other tutors and lecturers 

Alongside the module leader and expert Graduate School staff, teaching sessions are led by a range of guest speakers and lecturers currently working in the sector and academia who join students on-site or through live streams.