The University of Cumbria is extending a specialist land management course to Dartmoor National Park following a successful pilot in the Lake District.
The Upland Environmental Land Management Short Course in Collaborative Practices will run as a five-week programme starting from November.
The course was developed to support people working in upland environments by building the skills, knowledge and relationships needed to tackle complex land management challenges through collaborative working.
It is being delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Common Land, which will lead targeted promotion to potential participants across the Dartmoor region.
The university said the expansion highlighted its delivery of continuing professional development and short courses that responded directly to the needs of the rural and environmental sectors.
Henry Russell, a commons facilitator and founder of Russell Regen, took part in the Lake District pilot.
He said the course strengthened his understanding of governance, regulations and agri-environment schemes, which helped him better support common land projects and commoners’ associations.
Dr Owen Morgan, Uplands Environmental Land Management Course co-ordinator at the University of Cumbria, said: “The success of the pilot programme demonstrated the appetite for practical, collaborative learning that helps people navigate an increasingly complex land management landscape.
“By taking the course to Dartmoor, we are not only sharing good practice between protected landscapes, but also helping build the knowledge, relationships and confidence needed to deliver positive outcomes for farming, nature recovery and rural communities.”
Mr Russell added: “Understanding where we’re up to with agri-environment schemes, what opportunities are available and how different schemes fit together means I can work more effectively on behalf of commoners.
“If you’re looking to improve your understanding of how to work effectively with common land projects, or you’re interested in the governance and regulatory side of things, it’s definitely worth signing up.”
