The Life in your Backyard: Monitoring the Biodiversity Around you



Overview

What kind of wildlife can you find on your doorstep? How can you support local nature and alleviate the ongoing biodiversity crisis?

This course will introduce you to identification and surveying techniques for a variety of taxonomic groups; it will also show you how to approach biodiversity monitoring from a scientific and rigorous perspective. Not only will you learn about the surveying of wildlife, but you will become aware of the welfare and conservation implications of doing so.

Throughout the programme, we will look at useful tools, technologies and resources for identifying species and recording our findings.  We aim to incorporate at least one practical, outdoor session, to put our knowledge into practice. Thanks to its mix of theoretical and practical components, the course provides you with a foundation for working with different species and habitats, which can later be applied in your local surroundings.

Programme details

Course starts: 21 Apr 2026

Week 1: Why do we monitor biodiversity, and how to we approach it? Background to wildlife surveying and introduction to identification techniques.

Week 2: What we can and can't do: the realities of planning your survey.

Week 3: Non-invasive surveying techniques, including wildlife tracks and signs. This practical class will take place at a local site within Oxford to be confirmed (weather permitting).

Week 4: Hands-on species surveying and identification. This practical class will take place at a local site within Oxford to be confirmed (weather permitting).

Week 5: How can we support local wildlife? Putting our knowledge into practice

Certification

Digital badge

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee £180.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Joanna Bagniewska

Joanna Bagniewska is a lecturer in environmental science at Oxford University’s Department for Continuing Education. She holds a doctorate in zoology from Oxford University; her interests include behavioural ecology, urban wildlife and citizen science. Joanna’s first popular science book, “The Modern Bestiary”, has been published in 2022. 

Course aims

To introduce participants to biodiversity monitoring.

Course objectives:

  • to familiarise the students with:
  • identification tools for different taxonomic groups,
  • a range of monitoring techniques,
  • a practical framework for setting up wildlife surveys, and
  • the conservation implications and uses of monitoring.

Teaching methods

A mix of short lectures, discussion groups and experiential learning through practical workshops.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the participants will become familiar with a range of wildlife identification tools, as well as general methods for wildlife surveying. They will be aware of basic practical and legal constraints of surveying biodiversity, and its ecological and conservation implications.

Assessment methods

This course is non-accredited, so there are no assessments.

Application

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support