Aims of the module
To provide students with a working knowledge of the major organisations involved in management of the countryside. Students are to be made aware of the forces influencing the policies of major organisations and of the interrelationships between these organisations. The mechanisms by which organisations implement policies will be explored.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to:

• identify the roles and responsibilities of national government, its supporting agencies, local authorities, and non-governmental
• organisations;
• describe how appropriate policies are formulated for a range of organisations;
• describe the appropriate implementation mechanisms for the policies of a range of countryside organisations, including grants,
• designations, incentives, guidance, controls and agreements;
• describe the interrelationships between a range of organisations.

Syllabus / Curriculum design
Organisations, structure and function. The mission statement, aims and objectives, mechanisms for implementation of strategy. The formulation of policy. The working of national government in relation to the countryside. Setting of government policy. Influencing policy. Organisations responsible for implementation of policy. Government Departments, ministries, agencies and quango's. Local government, structure and function. Reform and financing. Policy and action in local government, implementation of Agenda 21. National Parks, structure, function, the role of Park Authorities. Landowning organisations and their influence on policy for the countryside. The voluntary organisations, pressure groups and charities. Land designations, their aims and who is responsible. Grants and other incentives. The involvement of organisations in agreements and controls. Organisations involved in environmental protection and conservation.