Cross-sector concerns about decline of fieldwork opportunities in UK life science courses - Mammal Society
The Mammal Society has convened more than 20 signatories across the conservation, ecology, education and museum sectors to highlight to government and public the worrying trend of fieldwork opportunities disappearing from life science courses at UK universities. An open letter will be sent to ministers on Monday 12th May signed by representatives of conservation organisations, the ecological consultancy sector, universities and young people including Mammal Society Youth Ambassadors, UK Youth4Nature and award-winning author Dara McAnulty.
Fieldwork provides opportunities for undergraduates to gain hands-on experience of applying ecology knowledge and skills in a real-world context, ensuring that they can solve real-world challenges and recognise species, signs of wildlife presence and habitat health indicators.
Ecology consultancies have already reported to the Mammal Society a growing trend of career starters with life science degrees demonstrating insufficient field skills to be able to start working on projects without a period of shadowing experienced ecologists in the field.
The UK is considered severely nature-depleted based on data showing significant declines in species populations, habitat degradation, and the high number of species at risk of extinction. Since 1970, UK species have declined by about 19% on average (State of Nature 2023), and nearly 1 in 6 species are now threatened with extinction.
CJS Editor, Kerryn Humphreys explains why we’ve signed the letter: “CJS is committed to promoting countryside careers, we want to ensure the next generation of rangers, ecologists, wildlife warriors, landscape managers and environmental educators have the best knowledge and skills when they come to join the workforce and we believe that fieldwork plays a vital role in their education.”
Posted On: 12/05/2025
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