Training
Seagrass-Watch HQ provides training where possible to build the capacity of participants to collect information useful for the ongoing management and protection of important marine resources. Training however is dependent on funds - predominately external. Often, if a group requests training then the group will be required to cover all travel and training expenses. If a group does not have the funds to acquire training, it may be able to either seek experience from another Seagrass-Watch group in an adjacent area, or seek a qualified marine biologist/scientist who is experienced or confident in the Seagrass-Watch protocols (a number of additional validation checks can be put into place by Seagrass-Watch HQ to assist with data QAQC). Training is aimed at participants over 17 years of age and usually comprises of three components – formal lectures, field training exercise, and laboratory exercise. Training includes hands on experience with standard methodologies used for seagrass mapping and monitoring. Presentations are targeted at participants with an education level of year 12 to first year university. Participants will learn about seagrass biology, seagrass ecology, why seagrass is important and how seagrass can be damaged. Participants are trained to identify local seagrass species, undertake rapid visual assessment methods (% cover), accurately record data, preserve seagrass samples for a herbarium, photograph quadrats and identify presence of dugong feeding trails or other impacts. Formal assessments have recently been introduced as part of the training. Assessments are multiple choice questions, in an open format (participants can work in teams and use resources available). Follow up training (“refresher”) is an important component of the program to ensure that data collection is rigorous. Training aids have been developed in consultation with the community and include manuals, field data books, and photographic reference sheets.
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Seagrass-Watch TrainingFrom 1st November 2007, Seagrass-Watch HQ introduced a new tiered level of certification for training participants over 17 years of age (for interested participants 17 years of age and under, please see Field and Education days).
Requirements to attend: There are requirements before you can attend a Seagrass-Watch training course, and a level of achievement to be completed to pass a training course.
Level 1 (basic) requirements = participants must have some Seagrass-Watch monitoring experience and have participated in at least one or more field monitoring events prior to attending.
Level 2 (intermediate) requirements = completion of level 1 and must complete 3 monitoring events/periods over a 12 month period
Depending on the level of involvement and completion, participants are presented with certificates after attending courses:
Please note: There needs to be a minimum of 6 and maximum 25 registered participants, to conduct a Seagrass-Watch workshop.
How much does a Seagrass-Watch Workshop cost?Unfortunately, our current funding does not include providing on-ground support (including equipment) or training outside of Queensland. Training workshops are approximately AUS$4500-5000 (excluding airfares), depending on number of participants (minimum 6 and maximum 25).
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Training Workshops - 2012AustraliaBroome, WA (Date to be confirmed)
Cooktown (Date to be confirmed)
Gold Coast (Date to be confirmed)
Townsville (Date to be confirmed)
Whitsunday (Date to be confirmed)
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Training Workshops - 2011AustraliaBroome, WA, 15 - 16 October 2011 (COMPLETED)
Torres Strait, Qld, 20 - 23 June 2011 (COMPLETED)
Great Sandy Strait, Qld, 02 - 03 April 2011 (COMPLETED)
**Level 1 (basic) requirements = participants must have some Seagrass-Watch monitoring experience and have participated in at least one or more field monitoring events prior to attending.
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Training workshops - 2010AustraliaTorres Strait, Qld, 07-09 November 2010 (COMPLETED)
Broome, WA, 10 - 12 September (COMPLETED)
Torres Strait, Qld, 23-24 March (COMPLETED)
Asia Philippines, 27 - 30 May 2010 (COMPLETED)
Philippines, 31 May - 3 June 2010 (COMPLETED)
PacificFiji, 1st - 2nd March 2010 (COMPLETED)
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Training workshops - 2009AustraliaTorres Strait, September 14-15 (COMPLETED)
Broome, WA, August 23-24 (COMPLETED)
Torres Strait, March 4 (COMPLETED)
Cairns, March 9-10 (COMPLETED)
Cooktown, March 26-27 (COMPLETED)
AsiaSingapore, May 01-03 (COMPLETED)
Bali, May 09 (COMPLETED)
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Workshop ProceedingsClick on the Thumbnails below to download the pdf documents. or Right click and "save target as" Files listed below are portable document files (pdf) and require the free Acrobat Reader for viewing.
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Training workshops - 2008Bowen, May 17th
Hervey Bay, May 17-18th
Cardwell, June 03 - 04
North East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, October 18–20
PNG, Motupore Island, October 24–27
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Training workshops - 2007February 26th, Thursday Island, Torres Strait
March 17th, Great Sandy Strait (Field training only)
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