Land-based Departments Welcome Expert Speakers

Students from Countryside and Animal Management departments enjoyed hearing the expertise and knowledge from speakers from the Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group, Gamekeepers from Bolton Abbey Estate and Castle Bolton Estate, and the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC). With many students from College considering a career in rural trades, having guests with vital experience is a fascinating insight into potential career routes.

Darren Chadwick from the Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group began the event by explaining how the Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group was created around 7 years ago in response to some negative media coverage about managed moorlands.

Their aim is to try and share evidence-based knowledge about their roles in order for people to make an informed decision about their activities.

Students heard an in-depth explanation of the roles and duties of a Gamekeeper on a day-to-day basis and how they run a managed moorland to assist with predator control, and to ensure the habitat remains in the best condition for growth and regeneration of flora and fauna.

Tom, Head Keeper said, “We are very open about our practices because we know it’s an emotive subject, but if we didn’t manage the moorland via shoots, several rare and endangered bird species would die out. We aim to keep a balance, to ensure predators remain at a level as if humans didn’t exist, we ensure animals are never eradicated.”

Students then learned about burning heather and why this practice is carried out, and the consequences of not conducting the process.

We heard about the history of Gamekeepers at Bolton Abbey, having constantly been in place since 1808 and the huge levels of legislation they have to deal with to ensure their estate is managed to the best of their ability within acceptable practices.

The topic of managed shoots was sensitively discussed, with debate surrounding ethical and sustainable meat production, and how shooting days are measured and controlled, being described as “a combination of science, art, and recreation.”

Rob Newton from BASC then gave the audience a guide to the deer population of the UK, including allowing students to see artifacts such as skulls and taxidermy from ethically obtained carcasses, which proved a fascinating insight for students.

Some eye-opening statistics were given including the fact that in the UK alone, deer cause between 42,000 and 75,000 collisions with motor vehicles annually. Deer management in the UK provides 2500 jobs, and venison which is a very healthy meat provides £170million to the UK economy per year.

Although the subjects discussed by our guests could have been controversial and sensitive in nature, all debates were respectfully conducted and students asked some very insightful questions and discussed how perceptions and opinions can change on emotive issues.

Danielle Fox, Head of Land-based Provision said, “This was a fantastic afternoon where students learned about the importance of land management in order to promote conservation and biodiversity. We also discussed the merits of using game as an ethical sustainable, healthy, and low carbon food source. Thank you so much to our guest speakers for sharing your passion and expertise!“

Find out more about our range of Agriculture, Countryside or Animal courses and make applications for September 2025!