Out of the classroom and into the Raet National Park

As part of the brand new MSc degree in Coastal Ecology at the University of Agder, students have taken part in the course “Coastal Ecology and Global Change in the Anthropocene”. Led by GRID-Arendal staff, the course has given the students a sneak peak into what it means to work with policy and management in reality.

Introduction to GRID-Arendal by John Crump. Photo credits: Rob Barnes, GRID-Arendal

Lars Kullerud talking about the geology of Raet National Park. Photo credits: Rob Barnes, GRID-Arendal

Type an optional photo set caption

Through the course the students have learned about topics such as Marine Spatial Planning, the Law of the Sea, Blue Carbon and how to Integrate Ecosystem Services (IES) into planning and policy. As part of a workshop on IES, the students went to Raet National Park to work on a group project. The outcome of the project is a report of recommendations to the park management along with a presentation that will happen next week.

Group working on water filtration of blue mussels Tanya Bryan. Photo credits: Rob Barnes, GRID-Arendal

Group working on carbon storage of seagrass with Maria Potouroglou. Photo credits: Rob Barnes, GRID-Arendal

Group working on recreational fishing with Lars Kullerud. Photo credits: Rob Barnes, GRID-Arendal

Group work at Spornes Café

The field trip started with lunch and group work at Spornes Café before venturing out in the snow to see the beach and learn more about the geology from Lars Kullerud who is a geologist by training.

UiA students at Raet National Park. Credits: Rob Barnes, GRID-Arendal

UiA students at Raet National Park enjoying the view. Credits: Tanya Bryan, GRID-Arendal

GRID-Arendal’s Digital Communications Expert Rob Barnes brought the drone along and created this short video of the field trip: