Page 30 - 2019 AMA Summer

GUESTWRITER
ENVIRONMENTAL
AWARENESS IN THE
BRITISH MOUNTAINS
WHAT IS ‘NEED TO KNOW; NICE TO KNOW’?
By Mike Raine
The Mountain Training Mountain Leader syllabus, now joined by the Hill and Moorland Leader and the Lowland Leader, demands a level of envi- ronmental knowledge and understanding of the environment to be demonstrated by the candidate when being assessed. Much of the knowledge required is pretty obvious, such as, how access and rights of way work and how they vary across the UK, legislation around the protection
of the environment and application of the Countryside Code.
The Mountain Leader should also:
3a. aim to inspire and enthuse their groups in the mountains and continuously expand their knowledge and understand- ing of the environment.
and...
3c. demonstrate knowledge of land management in upland areas and its multiple uses, e.g. hill farming, forestry, water collection, grouse shooting and deer stalking.
There is, of course, guidance from Mountain Training on these aspects of the Awards; it goes along the lines of: Develop your knowledge of mountain flora, fauna, geology, folklore etc. I am increasingly
30 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER
Ungrazed land next to grazed land. Spot the differences!