Our Principal Ecologist, Dr Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, recently completed teaching the Ecology module of the Landscape Architecture BA degree at the University of Greenwich. The university at Stockwell Street, which has 14 green roofs, has been awarded a BREEAM Innovation credit for teaching and research, and was described by Sarah as an inspiring atmosphere to work in. Although it was hard work, she thoroughly enjoyed it, and so, it seems, did the students!
Sarah said, “The class of undergraduate students and post-graduate conversion students had a variety of experience of ecology, from none at all, to keen interest and good knowledge, which meant that questions raised were both unexpected and searching. I discovered that the digital age carries challenges for tutors, as I often had to race the speed of a Google-search to provide answers! But by the end of the term, my class had completed Phase 1 habitat surveys, designed mitigation for a range of protected species, applied legislation and policy to practical situations, and produced a habitat management plan! I was proud of them”.
The 12-week course ran from September to December, giving Sarah a range of high-quality and inventive assignments to mark over Christmas and resulted in a high pass-rate for the class. In addition, she had great feedback from Ed Wall, Academic Leader for Landscape at the Department of Architecture and Landscape. He said:
“We were delighted when Sarah agreed to deliver Ecology and Conservation to our undergraduate and graduate Landscape Architecture students at the University of Greenwich. Sarah brought her depth of practice experience and research knowledge to the course, introducing key ecology skills through workshops, seminars and lectures. The response from the students has been fantastic – they are beginning to apply and explore these methods and skills in their design projects demonstrating the importance of ecology within Landscape Architecture discourses. We hope to continue to work with Sarah through both teaching and research projects.”
