Durrell Conservation Academy began as the 'International Training Centre for the Conservation and Captive Breeding of Endangered Species'situated at the headquarters of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey. It was officially opened by our Patron, the Princess Royal, and our Founder, Gerald Durrell, in 1984. It was renamed 'Durrell Conservation Academy'in honour of our Founder in 2012.
Jersey remains HQ for our training delivery, but in 2013 we established a second training base in Mauritius and plan to establish a training base in Madagascar from 2020.
Our training facilities (which are available for hire)
Our training team in Mauritius
In addition, we run training courses and workshops elsewhere around the world to meet the needs of conservation organisations. As we all as our Current Courses we also provide bespoke training courses for colleges, universities and conservation organisations. To find out more click here.
The Durrell Conservation Academy is located in the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands. The Academy is situated alongside Durrell Wildlife Hostel, and Jersey Zoo, where the animal collection is housed. The facilities are listed below, take a look at our virtual tour too!
Hastings Lecture Theatre
This
is a purpose-built lecture room with tiered seating and desk space for 54
people. It incorporates a white board and ceiling mounted LCD projector.
Computer Lab
The
computer lab is equipped with 15 computers running Microsoft Windows.
They are networked with internet connection, Microsoft Office and a range of
specialist software relevant to conservation, such as GIS and population
management software. A colour
printer is also available. The room is used for live demonstration
of software for teaching purposes using a projector and screen.
Classroom
A
bright room with tables and chairs for up to 12 available for teaching or
meeting purposes is situated alongside the computer lab. Whiteboard and flip chart,
projection screen and LCD projector are available.
Library
There
is a well-stocked library containing books, published reports, unpublished
reports and dissertations, journals, newsletters and popular magazines.
Material is organised using the Dewey Decimal System and catalogued
electronically using Procite. It is therefore possible to do author, title and
keyword searches on books and locate individual issues of journals.
We
have current subscriptions to around 25 journals and receive numerous others
and newsletters on exchange or gratis.
The journal and serial collection is housed here in the aptly named 'Sir William Collins
Memorial Library' whilst the books, reports, current issues of journals and
reprints are kept in the 'Phillips Reference Library'. In addition, we have
online access to a further ~180 journals.
Six individual study booths for self-study are available together with a boardroom table and seating, large white board, comfy chairs and a photocopier.
Wifi
A wireless internet signal is available throughout the Academy facilities.