Smithsonian-Mason spring/summer courses

[Chris Merkord]

The newly renamed Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, a partnership between George Mason University and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), is proud to announce their Spring/Summer 2013 course schedule. The School is now offering more courses than ever before, in a wide range of topics, all focused on training in different aspects of biodiversity conservation, from effective conservation leadership, to technical tools in statistics and field sampling. All courses are currently either 1 or 2-week intensive residential courses and they will now be held in a brand-new, sustainably-built Academic Center on the grounds of SCBI in Front Royal Virginia. Most courses can be taken either for graduate credit or continuing education units. See our upcoming offerings below and check out our website for more course details and pricing.

 

Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Graduate/Professional Training Courses

SPRING/SUMMER 2013

Front Royal, Virginia, USA

 

Visit our website (http://SMConservation.gmu.edu) or email us at SCBItraining@si.edu for more details about each course, course costs, and credits earned.

 

Statistics for Ecology and Conservation Biology

March 4-15, 2013

Gain in-depth knowledge of analysis techniques for cutting-edge ecological research, employing R: classical regression models; mixed models; generalized linear models; generalized additive models; how to deal with the limitations of real datasets; and conservation-specific approaches.

 

Estimating Animal Abundance and Occupancy (new course!)

April 1-12, 2013

The course is designed to provide a strong theoretical and analytical background to both graduate students and professionals in distance sampling, mark-recapture, and occupancy modeling techniques, with a strong focus on the practical use of field data in the programs DISTANCE, MARK and PRESENCE.

 

Species Monitoring & Conservation: Terrestrial Mammals

April 29-May 10, 2013

This course teaches current techniques in assessment and monitoring of wild mammal populations, including bats. Participants learn principles of study design; current field assessment methods; data analysis techniques including MARK and DISTANCE software; application of monitoring data to decision-making and population management; and collection and preparation of museum voucher specimens.

 

Species Monitoring & Conservation: Reptiles (new course!)

May 13-24, 2013

This course will provide technical training in the essential aspects of reptile conservation. In addition to providing hands-on experience with current field monitoring techniques, participants will also learn to analyze mark-recapture, distance sampling and occupancy field data. The course will also include a review of reptile taxonomy and phylogeny, and the role of captive propagation in reptile conservation.

 

Non-Invasive Genetic Techniques in Wildlife Conservation

June 1-7, 2013

Learn how new developments in non-invasive genetics allow biologists and managers to answer questions in animal behavior, population biology and population management. Course participants will work through a directed research project, from study design through field data collection, sampling protocols, and DNA extraction and amplification, to analysis of microsatellite and sequence data.

 

Adaptive Management for Conservation Success

June 10-21, 2013

This course is taught in partnership with Foundations of Success (FOS). Working in teams on a real conservation project, participants practice conceptualizing projects, formulating objectives and providing evidence of conservation results. The course builds skills in designing and planning effective projects that provide clear evidence of conservation impact, and in use of Miradi adaptive management software.