Keen to volunteer - want to learn more about conservation

Hey all,

Hopefully a moderator for this Community or even another member can enlighten me on this.

I'm a recent RSPB member - I'm keen to volunteer locally, but I'd also like to learn more about getting some academic credentials in conservation.

It's more of a personal project; I already have a career plan (I'm working in Social Media), but I'd like to study this in my spare time. Where do you start when it comes to conservation biology? 

I want to start at the bottom and build up - I presume you need a GCSE / A level in biology before progressing in to a specific field of science relative to conservation or ornithology.

Anyone got any good recommendations for adult learning / open university / distance learning / part time study opportunities?

Cheers,

Parents
  • It all really depends why you're looking at academic qualifications. Biology would probably be the basis for some aspects of conservation, but it's a wide ranging discipline. For example, in a lot of warden type roles you probably need a bit of horticulture, some engineering, stock keeping - all sorts!
    If this is a personal project rather than a career plan, I'd get involved as a volunteer first, before thinking about qualifications. That way you'd get a feel for what interests you the most, which will suggest a direction for any academic study. You may also find that opportunities for training come along to you as a volunteer, that may be harder to find as a member of the public. One thing that is certain, the vast majority of people working for organisations like the RSPB started as volunteers

    ___

    Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index

Reply
  • It all really depends why you're looking at academic qualifications. Biology would probably be the basis for some aspects of conservation, but it's a wide ranging discipline. For example, in a lot of warden type roles you probably need a bit of horticulture, some engineering, stock keeping - all sorts!
    If this is a personal project rather than a career plan, I'd get involved as a volunteer first, before thinking about qualifications. That way you'd get a feel for what interests you the most, which will suggest a direction for any academic study. You may also find that opportunities for training come along to you as a volunteer, that may be harder to find as a member of the public. One thing that is certain, the vast majority of people working for organisations like the RSPB started as volunteers

    ___

    Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index

Children
No Data