2012 Programme
Our 2012 CPD programme & Booking Form is downloadable here
Our Booking Conditions are downloadable here
NEW for 2012: In addition to our popular range of beginners courses we have added:
The following courses will next run in 2013:
Let us know by doing a short survey at www.surveymonkey.com
PTYXIS isworking with Cumbria & Lancashire Wildlife Trusts to deliver a 3-year HLF funded apprenticeship scheme in marine and coastal conservation. We are devising bespoke training in sand dune and saltmarsh ecology - plus a tool kit for coastal interpretation and guided walks.
Andrew Halcro-Johnston, ecologist, Golder Associates, on the 2010 Aquatic Plants course
David Rice, ecologist, Defence Estates, on our Phase 1 Habitat Survey course 2009
Faye Durkin, ecologist, CES Ltd, on Clare's Botany FSC course 2010
Alice Fenton, Thames Valley Envrionmental Records Centre
Charlotte Weightman, RSPB Twite Recovery Project, on Grass Indicators in Flower 2011
We are professionally qualified to offer CPD training services:
Clare O'Reilly is a trained teacher (PGCE) for adult (FE & HE) education; and John O'Reilly is a qualified geography teacher with a degree in Education.
You benefit from tutors accustomed to delivering to university quality & verification standards: we teach plant science, ecology, plant taxonomy & evolution, EIA and wildlife law on undergradute biology courses and Masters courses in Wildlife Conservation, Biological Recording, and Environmental Management.
But we do not give lectures - our courses are learner-centered, using innovative professional teaching techniques that are informal and fun, to ensure you meet your goals. We teach each student simultaneously with the whole group, picking up on individual interests and needs - this takes extra effort, professional skill and regular practise. We are reflective practitioners and complete our own teaching skills CPD.
This makes a difference to your learning: read our student testimonials! These are comments from real people, originally provided anonymously on our course feedback forms, and included here with permission.
All of our courses qualify for Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (IEEM) CPD and we issue a Certificate of Attendance.
"Clare is an excellent tutor. We had clear objectives, which we achieved, and she persisted with our difficulties until we had all learnt/seen what we needed to. Few FSC courses I have been on have been as good. "
Amanda Morgan, University of Birmingham student on the Certificate in Biological Recording
"It is very rare for a tutor to have a combination of both ecological AND botanical expertise AND also the ability to impart information in a clear, engaging way."
Will Brown, ecologist, Humber INCA
"Clare was really good at pitching the teaching level – giving opportunities for both beginners and more experienced people – as you often get mixed abilities on courses and tutors need to cater carefully for this."
Ceclia Port, Natural England
We provide training courses for a huge variety of clients, ranging from Natural England, the Environment Agency, IEEM, the FSC, RSPB, North Pennines AONB Partnership, 4 Wildlife Trusts, and 5 universities, to ecological consultancies and corporate environmental managers.
A selection of comments on our courses:
"Excellent coverage of the entire Phase 1 process ... I feel much more confident at conducting a Phase 1 survey."
Ben Ralston, ecologist, Northumbrian Water, on the 2010 Phase 1 habitat survey course
"What a great way of teaching Phase 1 - the games and laminated habitat card were brilliant ideas. The laminated card made you feel like you had achieved something as well as being a useful resource for use in the field. "
Stacey Waring, University of Reading, on our Phase 1 habitat survey course 2009
"I thought the course was excellent and ...the teaching was excellent, adjusting for particular needs and answering questions clearly and with in-depth knowledge. "
Kate Massey, ecologist, Alba Ecology on our Phase 1 Habitat Survey course 2009
"Well prepared with great handouts. For the first time, I feel able to go & tackle grass, sedge & rush ID. Thank you. "
Kerry Fieldhouse, Leeds City Council, on GSR for Phase 1 2010
"Teaching was excellent. I especially liked that the tutor spent time with me individually going through how to ID grass species that I was particularly interested in and needed more information on ."
Catherine Taylor, Masters student, University of Newcastle, on GSR for Phase 1 2010
"Learning grass identification with a trained teacher made a huge difference! We enjoyed personalised tuition."
Jeremy Sabel, ecologist, Ecosulis, on GSR for Phase 1 2008
"Thanks for making grasses interesting and easy to understand for a complete beginner. "
Zoe Foster, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, on GSR for Phase 1 2010
"I thoroughly enjoyed the grass indicators course and as an ex-headteacher, I think you are an excellent tutor!"
Richard Dakin, BSBI member, on Grass Indicators 2011
"Fantastic course. Fantastic teacher. Fantastic people. I learnt so much in a relatively short space of time. FANTASTIC!"
James Smith, senior ecologist, Naturally Wild Consultants Ltd, on the 2009 course
"One of the best courses I have been on. Your keys are brilliant!"
David Morley, ecologist, H&H Bowe Ltd on the 2011 course
"The Sphagnum course with John was a revelation. He is a very good teacher with many helpful hints and aids to identification."
Linda Robinson, botanist & BSBI county recorder, on one of our 2010 Sphagnum courses
"Excellent course. I really liked the fact that we went over things a few times. It helped fix characters in my head."
Jenny Hayward, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, on one of our 2010 Sphagnum courses
" Thanks for an excellent course. I really enjoyed it & found it very informative."
Fiona Everingham, Peak District National Park Authority, on Sphagnum ID & Ecology 2011
"Your course made a huge difference to my understanding, enthusiasm and confidence. I went out on Saturday and ... didn't get the usual defeated feeling when I didn't know something because now I feel able to work it out."
Sarah Yarwood-Buchanan, ecologist, Scott Wilson, on Using a Flora 2006
"I came as a complete beginner and now feel I can make a start with learning plants. I really enjoyed it and felt everything was outlined in a clear and simple manner."
Kate Bennett, ecologist, FPCR Environmental & Design Ltd, on Using the WFK 2010
"I found it inspiring and comprehensive, and I feel tons more confident now."
Fiona Law, amateur botanist & adult education teacher on Using a Flora 2006
"Thanks for a fantastic course. I found it really useful and it has given me a lot more confidence."
Carly Stephens, Open University lecturer, on Using a Flora 2008
"Very enjoyable course: well-structured; good pace; digestible chunks."
Colin Auld, Natural England, on the 2010 Aquatic Plants course
"Clare explained things in an interesting and fun way, which made the workshop v engaging and worthwhile."
Susan Dark, volunteer botanist, on the 2009 Aquatic Plants course