A group of 17 students, presently reading for the degree of M.Sc. in Environmental Management and Sustainability (EMS) with the Institute of Earth Systems, recently participated in a field trip to the Parco Regionale della Maremma in Tuscany, Italy. The M.Sc. EMS programme is one of eight International Collaborative Programmes offered by the University of Malta; this accelerated 12-month programme is offered jointly with James Madison University (Virginia, USA).

Students worked on a variety of different projects throughout the week-long visit, which took place between 8 and 13 May 2017. Specific topics covered included measurement and evaluation of changes in coastal dynamics, assessment of climate change-related impacts on the park, park visitor impact assessment, corridor ecology, and water resources management, among others. The programme included lecturer briefings, extensive hands-on fieldwork, and a variety of presentation/discussion sessions. Students also organised a beach clean-up within the park during one of the field sessions (see photo below at Collelungo beach). 

The field trip forms part of a study-unit entitled Mediterranean field study, intended to allow students to explore the practical applications of theories and approaches discussed during the earlier part of the course.

Applications for this programme for academic year 2017/18 are currently open; only few available places remain and interested students are therefore encouraged to contact the course coordinator, Dr Elisabeth Conrad, as soon as possible.