What we are taught in class, we can use in real life!

”We read a lot of books, not just because we are told to do so, but because what we are taught in class we can actually use after we graduate”. These are the words of Anne-Sophie Freltoft Knudsen. She is 24 years old and is studying Forest and Nature Management on her second year.

 

  

To Anne-Sophie it is of great importance that the studies also take place away from the class room, that she is confronted with ”real life” where she can experience how theory turns into practice. A field trip to Switzerland and South Germany last year gave her an insight into nature protection.

 

”Among other things, we saw how they had restored a raised bog that earlier had been completely forest-covered. It was very interesting.”

 

Different aspects

Anne-Sophie also appreciates that the FNM studies combine social and natural sciences because it prepares her to consider every aspect of a problem.

 

”Often, several interests are at stake. Not using pesticides on the fields might be what is best for nature, but on the other hand the farmers need to make both ends meet. Therefore, we are trained to consider environmental visions and wishes and include what will be practically possible as well as the possibilities and limitations according to the legislation.”

 

These are qualifications that will be of very good use when Anne-Sophie in the spring 2012 is going to write her final thesis on outdoor policies and management at the estate, Gl. Kjøgegård. Together with her thesis group she will investigate how to obtain the best interaction between runners, dog walkers, mountain bikers, hunters, the land agent and other groups who use the beautiful nature that surrounds the estate.

 

”I look forward to immerse myself in the challenges that they experience at the estate and to work out suggestions as to how we secure the balance between protection and use. We might also prepare a proposal for an information campaign.”

 

Nature protection in the US

In the spring of 2011, Anne-Sophie studied in Idaho, US for one semester. During this semester, she gained an insight into the American effort to change the behaviour of the citizens in terms of reduced consumption and increased recycling. She also dipped into wildlife and nature management in the national parks, where especially litter left by visitors is a major challenge.