Learning Opportunity
Rivers and Catchment Science
An bioregional and systems approach for river enthusiasts; an introductory online course.
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An Introduction to Rivers & Catchment Science
Combining scientific foundations (hydrology, ecology, hydrogeomorphology, water chemistry) with discussion, reflection and real-world case studies, BLC co-director Nick Paling will be running his second ‘Introduction to Rivers & Catchment Science’ course this spring. This course will include a distinct focus on rivers and the water system as an entry point for bioregional and regenerative practitioners, as well as river enthusiasts and community group members.
Rivers are not just channels of water - they are living systems shaped by geology, rainfall, soil, land use, infrastructure, culture and human management. They connect uplands to estuaries, farms to towns, and people to place. This six-session online course offers a grounded introduction to river and catchment science, framed through systems thinking and a bioregional lens. It is designed for river enthusiasts, citizen scientists, community groups and regenerative practitioners who see rivers as a powerful entry point into understanding how landscapes function and how they can be restored.
During the course, participants will explore:
• How natural and human water systems interact
• What determines the health (or dysfunction) of a river
• How to diagnose problems using ‘source-pathway-receptor’ thinking
• How monitoring and evidence can guide restoration action
• What river and water restoration, regeneration and stewardship look like in practice
The course will comprise six 90-minute online sessions held fortnightly on Wednesdays from 11th March to 20th May from 6-7:30pm.
There will also be an optional field trip day down in Devon after the end of the course (date TBC).
Download course details here.
Cost: £60 for volunteers and community group members, £120 for professionals and practitioners.
Places are limited to maintain an interactive learning environment.
Key information
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