Pilot Phase 2022-2023: Completed Test Run

The test run for the E-Learning course took place from November 10, 2022, to June 5, 2023, with 46 participants from ten federal states. This phase concluded in early June with a final examination, which all 39 registered participants successfully passed. The test run itself was considered successful with positive feedback from participants, with an average rating of 1.9 in the evaluation.

Events held as part of the course

• Seven online events: lectures, discussion sessions, consultations
• Four seminar days in Erfurt
• Two excursion days in Thuringia

Feedback and Evaluation

The evaluation conducted by "js_studien+analysen" included a questionnaire at the start of the test run and a more detailed questionnaire at the end. Overall, the feedback was very positive, with participants rating the course an average of 1.9. Specific feedback indicated that the broad range of topics, as well as the implementation and delivery of course content, were considered very satisfactory. Of the 46 participants, 72% would highly recommend the course to others.

Nearly half of the course participants came from nature conservation associations and foundations (46.2%), followed by administrative staff (23.1%), representatives from Natura 2000 stations (15.4%), employees from educational institutions (12.8%), and individuals from the private sector (7.7%).

Women made up nearly 70% of the participants, surpassing the 30.8% representation of men. Participants hailed from ten federal states, with Thuringia having the highest representation at 48.7%.

Access the detailed evaluation report from the test run and official course here (in German) 

In-Person Events

A series of six in-person events took place in Erfurt and its surrounding areas. The first seminar, "Arguing in Nature Conservation," was held on November 11 and 12, 2022, featuring Dr. Thorben Prenzel. This seminar focused on essential argumentation techniques for engaging with various stakeholders in everyday work. Subsequent seminars included "Press and Public Relations in Nature Conservation" with independent consultant Tobias Staufenberg on January 27, 2023, and "Lobbying" again with Dr. Thorben Prenzel on January 28, 2024. 

In addition to these seminars, participants had the chance to explore different habitat types. On April 20 and 21, 2023, Prof. Dr. Stefan Brunzel, project coordinator and professor of biodiversity and species protection at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, led two excursions dedicated to various Habitats of Community Interest (FFH) in both open land and forest settings. During these excursions in Hainich National Park and at Drei Gleichen in Thuringia, participants learned to identify and delineate different habitat types.

The in-person events provided significant professional value, offering participants opportunities to network, form study groups, exchange ideas and engage in discussions about different aspects of the course.

Excursion of the 'Natura 2000 Manager' Course 2022

Excursions