There are two main courses related to possum monitoring. The field operative course and monitoring design course.
Both courses are further described below, including registration and contact information.
Field operative course (2 days)
This 2 day course trains learners to carry out field monitoring of possum populations to the standards of the nationally recognised Possum Population Monitoring protocol. Field operative monitoring certificates are recognised by the OSPRI, Regional Councils, the Department of Conservation, and contractor organisations.
This course teaches foundational skills which are directly relevant to transect monitoring techniques for other species as well. Some of these other species monitoring techniques are briefly covered during the course.
Pre-course study materials and exercises are sent out before the course covering the use map and compass, and the field monitoring aspects of the monitoring protocol.
The courses include classroom and practical outdoor work. We will provide more detail on what you need to bring along prior to the course.
Candidates must achieve a pass in each of the assessments to gain full accreditation. The assessments cover:
Participants who meet the course assessment requirements will be accredited and registered as a Field Operative. An accreditation is current for a period of two years and is renewed on meeting the minimum requirements of two operations in the two years.
Note: If you have a group of learners, we may be able to come to you.
Course cost is $580pp +GST. Registrations of interest to biodiverse.nz@gmail.com, or phone 027 945 1719 for further information.
Monitoring design courses (1 day)
This one day course is recognised by OSPRI, Regional Councils, DoC and Contractors. It is subject to a similar accreditation system as the field operative qualification.
The training teaches participants to design monitoring operations to the standards of the national monitoring protocol, analyse and interpret data, and deal with potential issues arising from the monitoring data. Appropriate stratification is a particular focus, to ensure designs are efficient and fit for the range of purposes to which monitoring can apply.
Ideally participants will have attended a field operative course before they attend a designer course, though this is not critical. However, participants are expected to be able to work confidently with both Microsoft Word and Excel, and will need to bring their own laptop running Microsoft Office. It is important that participants have a reasonable math’s ability, and are 'numerically agile'.
As with the Field operative course, learnings from this course are applicable to designing robust monitoring strategies for other species also.
Participants must complete the course and achieve an 80% pass in the final course assessment (multiple choice test) to be accredited and registered as a Designer.
Course cost is $580pp +GST. Registrations of interest to biodiverse.nz@gmail.com, or phone 027 945 1719 for further information. Note: If you have a group of learners, we may be able to come to you.
2024 Monitoring Course Programme
|
Course Name |
Dates |
Venue |
|
Field Operative |
February 15 & 16 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Field Operative |
March 21 & 22 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Field Operative |
April 25 & 26 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Field Operative |
May 14 & 15 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Designer |
May 16 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Field Operative |
June 13 & 14 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Field Operative |
July 11 & 12 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Field Operative |
September 5 & 6 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Field Operative |
October 7 & 8 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Designer |
October 9 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Field Operative |
Nov 7 & 8 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
|
Field Operative |
Dec 5 & 6 2024 |
Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Nelson* |
*Dependant on location of majority of registrants. Courses may be cancelled including due to COVID related restrictions or insufficient participant numbers.
Note: If you have a group of learners, we may be able to come to you.
Registrations of interest to biodiverse.nz@gmail.com, or phone 027 945 1719 for further information.