There are many field centres to study local environment in Britain. Malham Tarn Field Centre is one of twelve field centres in England and Wales run by the Field Studies Council (FSC), an independent educational charity which promotes"Environmental Understanding for All". The FSC works for this objective in a number of ways: 1) Management of twelve Field Centres in England and Wales whose localities are chosen for ecological richness and diversity of their surroundings. 2) Running short residental field courses at every level, from introductory to specialised, in a wide range of subjects. 3) Providing appropriate subjects and special topics for both adults and children.