A PARTNERSHIP between the University of York and Flamingo Land, near Malton, is helping to enhance conservation education in the region.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership draws on expertise in the university’s environment department to promote scientific excellence in the education system at Flamingo Land.

The scheme will enhance conservation education by modernising the range of programmes, and incorporating scientific theory as well as aspects of the National Curriculum. A new research associate will undertake a range of marketing activities and develop educational events, building on the park’s recently-attained “Learning Outside The Classroom” Quality Badge.

This role will also further develop the University of York Centre for the Integration of Research, Conservation and Learning (CIRCLE), which is located at Flamingo Land, to conduct research into conservation and education.

The initiative will also feed into Flamingo Land’s Udzungwa Forest Project (UFP), a conservation, research and education programme based in Tanzania.

The university’s pro-vice chancellor for business and community, Prof Colin Mellors, said: “The University of York is committed to ensuring that the world-class research we undertake brings real benefit and impact to our economy.

“This Knowledge Transfer Partnership is a very clear example of the university working with a business to improve its competitiveness.”