Grass ID
This self-study course is aimed at anyone new to studying this fascinating group of plants, and will concentrate on the principles of grass identification. You will learn key identification features and grass families and be able to identify a range of grasses by the end. The course will give you an opportunity to learn and practice your identification skills, and to build up a collection of specimens and associated notes. This course can only be undertaken between May and September when flowering grasses are available. If you book at another time of the year the course materials will be sent to you in early May.
Course outline:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
By the end of the course, participants will have learnt how to recognise some of the common species of grass found in the UK, will be familiar with grass features and structures and know how to use keys to identify grasses.
What our students say:
“I found the course VERY useful. I started doing some work on learning about grasses last summer, but got distracted and before you know it, it’s October. The course has opened my eyes to grasses, and on my morning walk today, I found myself constantly scanning the grasses and identifying/attempting to identify them. I found it interesting, and that makes it easier for me to learn. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the course to anybody wishing to learn about grasses.
The video was great, it make things a bit more interactive. Also, the fieldwork part of it REALLY worked for me… if I can go out and see stuff rather than just reading about it, it helps massively.”
“It has been very helpful in learning the lingo / technical terms for things which will help me enormously in using my ID guide! (e.g. I now know what a ligule is and where to find it! ).
It is also good to know that the certain species I thought I knew, such as Yorkshire Fog, were indeed Yorkshire Fog, and I have learnt some new species, too :). Thank you very much for putting this course together.”
Other information:
How is the course delivered?
The course is online and can be started at any time and will take about 4-6 hours to complete. At the end there will be a short quiz and if you get over 70% you will receive a Certificate.
Video run-time: 1hr 58 mins – allow time to stop and take notes and look at your samples.
What you need:
You will need a grass ID book, one of these or similar:
You will need to collect 5-10 grass samples before you start the video that you can refer to.
A hand lens or magnifying glass would be useful.
You might also want to have a hardback sketchbook and some sticky tape to put your samples in.
How will I be assessed?
You will have to identify 10 grass species and send evidence (e.g. photograph/video) that you have done this.
At the end there will be a short quiz and if you get over 70% you will receive a Certificate.
How to book: You can book on-line here. Once you have booked you will then be able to start the course straight away. If you’d like book a group or on behalf of another person please email us at admin@ecologyjobs.co.uk and we’d be delighted to help you.