Alan Silcock

Job Title: Warden

Company: National Trust    

Alan graduated in June 2007 with a ‘Pass with Commendation’ in FdSc Rural and Countryside Management.  He is currently employed by the National Trust as Warden on their Strangford Lough, managing over 14,700 acres of foreshore and seabed. This includes fifty islands, woodland, wetland, saltmarsh and agricultural land. He oversees birds of international importance such as Brent, Knot, Bar-tailed godwit and Terns. Commenting on his reason for choosing the Rural & Countryside Management course Alan said

“The RCM course has a good mix of theory and practical sessions. The lecturers are excellent. The opportunity to gain short course qualifications in areas such as chainsaw operations and first aid were extremely useful in gaining my new job. I am looking forward to putting my knowledge and skills into practice, within my new role in the National Trust.”

Rachel Hamill

Studying for a BSc(Hons) at University of Ulster

Rachel graduated from the Foundation degree in Rural and Countryside Management in June 2007.  Rachel progressed onto the second year of the BSc (Hons) Degree in Environmental Science at University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus and is now in her final year and hopes to graduate in June 2009.

Christopher Holden

Job Title: River Watcher

Company: Loughs Agency

Christopher graduated from the Foundation degree in Rural & Countryside management course at Greenmount Campus in June 2008. He successfully gained employment with the Loughs Agency as River Watcher; his duties included patrolling Lough Foyle and coastal waters, investigating pollution incidents and undertake survey work.  Chris comments ‘Modules such as Environmental Science and Habitat Management and are really useful in my new job, I’m now putting the theory I learnt into practice.

Thomas Kelly

Job Title: Warden

Company: National Trust

Thomas Kelly is employed as a warden on the 810 hectare Crom Estate, near Newtownbutler, one of the most important ancient woodland sites in Ireland.

After gaining his National Diploma in Horticulture from Greenmount in 2000, Thomas gained employment with the National Trust as a warden. However he soon realised that he would benefit from taking a further qualification in environmental management and graduated from the Rural & Countryside Management course in June 2008.

The course has provided Thomas with the necessary theory to support and enhance his work role, for example, how to manage all eight bat species found in Northern Ireland, two of which are of special importance - Leisler’s bat and Nathusius’ pipistrelle. The National Trust in Northern Ireland is responsible for managing 63 properties and over 12 km² of countryside, so there will be ample opportunity in the future for Thomas to put his learning into practice!