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Masters in Environmental Governance
MA Wild Writing
iCES
Film Series
Occasional
Papers
Current Research Programmes
University Books on
Environment and Health
University's Green Task Force
Department of Biological
Sciences
Fellows of the iCES
Prof Jules
Pretty
Dr Jo Barton
Prof Ted Benton
Prof Steffen Boehm
Dr Stuart Bunting
Prof Ian Colbeck
Dr
Val Gladwell
Prof Mark
Harvey
Rachel
Bragg
Dr Karen Hulme
Prof Peter Hulme
Dr Peter
Martin
Dr Sandra Moog
David Ong
Dr Kate
Rockett
Dr Gavin Sandercock
Dr David Smith
Prof Colin Samson
Prof
Martin Sellens
Prof Nigel South
Associates of iCES
Dr Zareen Bharucha
Karen Kolbe
Pippa Mansell
Suresh Sahu
Dr Zulfiqar Ali
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Field Trips
Field trips are an important
element of the programme's teaching philosophy. They are an integral
and compulsory component of the degree, are designed to illustrate
aspects of the core course, and in particular to introduce students to
wide range of environmental issues.
To reduce our overall carbon footprint we take advantage of our
location by organising visits within the local vicinity.
Field trips planned for the forthcoming academic year include:
Colchester Oyster Fishery Ltd, Mersea Island
www.colchesteroysterfishery.com
Coastal Essex is famous for its oyster fisheries and the fisheries
have been recorded from around the county for the past 2000 years.
Oyster fisheries in the Colne have been well established since 1189
and it is now one of the most productive in the country. The
Colchester Oyster Fisheries is based on the island of Mersea. The
company is a commercial enterprise and during the day visit you will
have an opportunity to look around the site. During the afternoon the
managing director, will give a short talk on the fisheries. You will
also have the opportunity to ask any questions.
Possible Focus Points:
1. economic issues
2. fisheries rights
3. conflicts that occur between different estuarine stakeholders
4. mechanisms of production
Abbotts Hall Managed Coastal Realignment and Arable
Farm
www.essexwt.org.uk
Managed realignment is a technique which involves the breaching of
existing firm defences such as sea walls. The tidal water floods land
behind the sea wall and eventually leads to the development of salt
marsh. The salt marsh acts as a natural buffer to the erosive power of
the tidal surges and reduces the need to constantly maintain expensive
sea walls. Managed realignments therefore also lead to the
establishment of new estuarine habitats and provide a new area for
invertebrates, fish and birds to inhabit. The sea wall at Abbott’s
Hall was breached in the summer of 2002. Abbott’s Hall farm itself
consists of 700 acres of mixed farmland and is owned by Essex Wildlife
Trust. During this day visit you will be shown around the farm and you
be walked down to the sea wall breach and therefore have an
opportunity to see if new salt marsh and other intertidal habitats
have started to form. There will be plenty of opportunity through the
afternoon visit to ask questions.
Possible Focus Points:
1. Coastal erosion and sea wall defences,
2. Economic considerations
3. Habitat development and restoration,
4. Environmental Stewardship
The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project
http://www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org/
For centuries this region has inspired artists and writers.
Key landscape features have been
retained and Constable’s views are still largely apparent.
As well as these strong cultural connections, the area has
abundant wildlife living in the mosaic of habitats along the river
valley. Large numbers of visitors are drawn to appreciate and enjoy
the beauty and tranquillity of the countryside and explore its rich
historical associations. These special qualities are vulnerable to a
wide variety of changing pressures, particularly in the lower part of
the valley, that is nationally designated as an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB).
Possible Focus Points:
1. Sustainable Tourism
2. Rural transport
3. Conservation Management
4. Environmental Stewardship
5. Development Pressures
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