Urban Reforestation and Biodiversity Course
Online course of 300 hours in urban reforestation and biodiversity, structured in 6 modules covering urban ecology, urban trees and forests, reforestation and naturalisation, fauna and habitats, and green space planning and management under Law 42/2007, the Nature Restoration Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 and the Habitats Directive, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the ecology of urban systems and their biodiversity.
Manage urban trees using technical criteria.
Design reforestation and naturalisation actions.
Create habitats for urban wildlife.
Apply green space and biodiversity indicators.
Plan the maintenance and monitoring of green spaces.
Develop an urban reforestation project.
Who it's for
- Urban biodiversity technicians.
- Urban tree managers.
- Forestry engineers moving into urban settings.
- Green space maintenance technicians.
- Environmental consultants.
- Environmental educators.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to work in local councils and parks departments.
What you'll work with
- Law 42/2007 (Spanish law on natural heritage and biodiversity)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 (EU Nature Restoration Regulation)
- Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive)
- Directive 2009/147/EC (Birds Directive)
- Royal Decree 630/2013 (Spanish catalogue of invasive alien species)
- Royal Decree 1311/2012 (sustainable use of plant protection products)
- Law 43/2003 (Spanish Forestry Act)
- Norma Granada (valuation method for ornamental trees)
- i-Tree Eco
- QGIS
- iNaturalist
- Google Earth Engine
- R for ecological analysis
6 modules
1.1The city as an ecosystem1.2Urban biodiversity and gradients1.3Fragmentation and ecological connectivity1.4Native, exotic and invasive species1.5Urban ecosystem services1.6Singapore Index on Cities' Biodiversity1.7European biodiversity strategies 20301.8Urban naturalisation plans1.9Citizen science and biodiversity1.10Case study: biodiversity inventory of a park
2.1Functions of urban trees2.2Tree inventories and GIS2.3Species selection by climate and space2.4Nursery stock quality2.5Tree pits, structural soils and roots2.6Planting and establishment2.7Pruning and tree risk management2.8Pests and diseases2.9Urban tree master plans2.10Practical exercise: tree inventory with i-Tree
3.1Urban and peri-urban forests3.2The Miyawaki method and its limitations3.3Restoration of vacant lots and degraded areas3.4Wildflower meadows and differentiated mowing3.5Green corridors and green belts3.6Restoration of urban riverbanks3.7Urban and community gardens3.8Production of native plants3.9Efficient irrigation and reclaimed water3.10Workshop: design of an urban pocket forest
4.1Urban birds and nest boxes4.2Pollinators and insect hotels4.3Bats and pest control4.4Amphibians and urban ponds4.5Management of problem wildlife4.6Lighting and light pollution4.7Biodiversity-friendly buildings4.8Wildlife monitoring with camera trapping and bioacoustics4.9Use of bioindicator species4.10Lab: analysis of bird monitoring data
5.1Urban green infrastructure5.2Green indicators: the 3-30-300 rule5.3Economic valuation of green space5.4Differentiated management of green areas5.5Responsible use of plant protection products5.6Participation and volunteering5.7Maintenance contracts5.8Funding and European funds5.9Communication and environmental education5.10Case study: naturalisation plan for a district
6.1Analysis of the area and its context6.2Diagnosis of vegetation and fauna6.3Definition of biodiversity objectives6.4Species selection6.5Design of planting and habitats6.6Maintenance plan6.7Budget and phases6.8Monitoring indicators6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The course is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is i-Tree Eco, QGIS, iNaturalist, Google Earth Engine and R for ecological analysis, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: tree and biodiversity inventories, design of planting schemes and habitats and monitoring of urban wildlife. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.
Standards covered: Law 42/2007; Regulation (EU) 2024/1991; Directive 92/43/EEC; Directive 2009/147/EC; Royal Decree 630/2013; Royal Decree 1311/2012; Law 43/2003; Norma Granada.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with i-Tree Eco, QGIS, iNaturalist, Google Earth Engine and R for ecological analysis, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme's software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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