Course CodeBHT340Fee CodeS2Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Why Are Gardens Important? Gardens are significant to a country's heritage. They encapsulate the culture and prevailing philosophies of the time. Like everything else, gardens are prone to change. Sometimes changes are needed to improve gardens, sometimes merely to try and conserve them or restore elements of them. This course will equip students with an appreciation of how to look after heritage gardens through making the most of resources and staff management as well as making decisions which are in keeping with the ambience of the garden and the requirements of stakeholders. Lesson Structure There are 9 lessons in this course: Role and Formulation of Conservation Management Plans Introduction: types of notable landscapes The role of conservation management plans Why research is important National registers Other sources of information Gathering and organising the documentary information The site survey Reporting the research Formulating conservation management plans Writing the plan Consult Public and Interested Parties, Statutory and Non-Statutory Consultees. The consultation process Stakeholders Community participation strategy Collecting and analyzing data Primary data research Secondary data research Steps for collection and analysis of data Planning a formal survey Designing a questionnaire Common problems PBL project to formulate criteria required for the successful consultation with all relevant stakeholders, in the implementation of a maintenance program for a notable garden. Role of Public and other Sources of Funding Funding restoration and conservation Examples of funding objectives Large funding bodies Other funding bodies Grant aid criteria Funding applications Other sources of funds Other cost considerations for sites open to the public Plant sales, garden shop, tea rooms, etc Planning for Renewal of Plant Features Plant surveys Current plantings Other considerations Using experts Trees When not to retain a tree Sourcing plant material Collecting seed Selecting a parent plant Timing Method of seed collecting Removing seeds Replanting strategies Developing New Features within Existing Landscapes Type of actions: preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, reconstruction Principles to follow Car parks Surfacing Pebble and cobble paving Fencing Dry stone walls Steps Ramps Railings Retaining walls Brick Drainage Timber Stone Rockeries Programming Repair of New and Existing Hard Landscape Features. Introduction Action plans: preparing maintenance management schedules Managing and storing records Hard copy information Classifying information Active and inactive records Data protection Fundamental maintenance tasks: drainage, paving Maintaining stone and brick walls Maintaining ponds PBL Project to formulate a Maintenance Schedule for the repair of new and existing hard landscape features. Creating New Gardens and Landscapes. Principles of landscape design Design elements Gathering site information The base plan Basic surveying Design drawing Completed designs and plans Park design Identifying Required Staff Skills Staff management, training and associated issues Skill set required for workers in historic parks and gardens The skills crisis Training schemes Volunteer labour Skills audits and training plans Identifying skills chortages Conducting a skills audit Training programs Workplace health and safety Identifying hazards Risk control methods Conducting a safety audit Assessing risks Adapt Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes for Modern Use Presenting historic gardens and designed landscapes Visitor interpretation Marketing and PR Visitor facilities Equal access Access strategy Managing wear and tear, vandalism, theft Managing legislative requirements (eg. health and safety, equal access). PBL project to adapt a historic garden or designed landscape for modern use. Notable Designed Landscapes A designed landscape can be described as parks, gardens or grounds that are pre-conceived, designed and constructed for artistic effect. Parklands, woodlands, water and notable formal and informal gardens are included. Some may have significant wildlife, archaeological and scientific interest; they are also often the grounds in which buildings of historical significance are situated. Notable designed landscapes, of important heritage value occur in the city, in towns and in the countryside - they include: Archaeological remains The grounds and gardens of large houses Notable smaller gardens Urban and rural small parks Notable parks and green spaces that may have historical significance ie. refer to a particular historical figure or event Old parks and gardens which may be representative of the period or a style, or can be attributed to a certain designer Parks and gardens which may be of value as part of other notable landscapes or buildings Large public parks Community gardens and allotments Civic landscapes Churchyards, cemeteries and grounds surrounding public buildings such as hospitals and universities Urban green corridors and other green spaces including village greens New landscapes Who Will Benefit From This Course? Owners of notable gardens interested in their rehabilitation and maintenance Managers of notable gardens Head gardeners working in notable gardens