About Us

Acorn Ecology was established by Sue Searle in 2003. She is a licensed bat worker and bat trainer and has 9 years' experience of ecological consultancy. Sue has lectured in Ecology and Conservation with Exeter, Greenwich and Bristol Universities and has run courses for The Mammal Society, National Trust, FSC and IEEM. Sue is the main tutor for the introductory courses, although other practicing ecologists also teach some of the courses.

Acorn Ecology has been running courses for a number of years and has now built up a national reputation for training ecologists. The range of courses available is increasing each year and range from longer courses like the Certificate in Ecological Consultancy to one and two-day courses on a variety of topics from bats and badgers to beginner's botany and invasive species. Overseas courses in tropical ecology will be starting in 2012. We are also hoping to launch some online courses to provide background knowledge about ecology, aimed at those people who lack a relevant degree. Acorn Ecology is dedicated to helping others achieve their career aspirations. In 2009 Sue won a National Training Award for her personal services to training. She is a full member of IEEM and subject to a professional code of conduct.

Certificate In Ecological Consultancy

This course is truly unique and gives you the opportunity to launch your ecological consultancy career with a suite of knowledge, skills and experience. This is a real, practical alternative to a Master's degree. This course aims to provide a complete training for those wishing to work within an ecological consultancy and includes a series of compulsory and optional field-skills courses and self-study tutorials, combined with an element of career planning. Those students who wish to take their training and career development to a higher level can sign up for Certificate PLUS which includes a 1 month work training placement, as well as a one-to-one personalised career development tutorial with our Principal Ecologist/Managing Director. The course is designed to fit around working full time and it is anticipated that it will take around 6 months to complete.

Contact Us

Our students give us very positive feedback with 85% giving excellent reviews. We can also offer ecology courses at your place of work or for a group if you have several people who would like to do an ecology training course together. Please phone the office to discuss options.