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FIELD COURSES and workshops in FIELD BOTANY, 2014


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Have you ever wanted to be quicker, more accurate and efficient at field identification of vascular plants to increase your chances of getting jobs in the environmental field requiring these skills? The EARTHQUEST Biological Field School, now in it’s 10th year of operation, is offering specialized field botany courses at reduced costs for 2014. Simply mentioned that you saw this advertisement on the Society for Conservation Biology to receive discounts. Each course is designed and taught by Senior Botanist – Dave Jolly, who has over 19 years of field knowledge and experience with plants from 13 countries and a master plant list of 4500 – 5000 species worldwide. Mr. Jolly has also written several plant field guide books, worked on, or assisted with Ontario Management Plans, or recovery strategies for endangered Wood poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum), threatened Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), provincially rare Green dragon (Ariseama dractonium) and Broad beech fern (Phegopteris hexagonopteris).

 

Our field courses and workshops have been taken by over 35 organizations in the non-profit, environmental, public and private sectors.

 

A variety of Level 1, 2 and 3 courses are being offered in field botany covering, Species at Risk & rare plant ID, terrestrial and wetland plants, grasses, sedges and rushes, Asters and Goldenrods.

 

Level 1 courses focus on plant identification at the Family level representing 20 – 30 of the most common families found all over the world.

 

Level 2 courses focus on 39 – 52 plant Genera found within the 20 – 30 plant families covered in the Level 1 courses.

 

Level 3 courses focus on 80 – 120 species found within the 39 – 52 Genera covered in the Level 2 courses.

 

Level 1 plant courses and workshops

This an introductory beginner course with multiple field practicums at natural areas, tailored toward learning how to rapidly field identify plant families based on 3 easy to recognize characteristics and traits such as:

• flower colour.

• leaf shape and size.

• leaf arrangement.

 

This course has several units to read and you have the option of completing written assignments and questions for evaluation. You may also participate in field assessments geared at increasing your field inventory rate based on square quadrat methodology.

 

Level 2 plant courses and workshops

This is an intermediate level course with multiple field practicums to learn rapid field identification techniques of plant genera based on 4 visual cues;

• flower shape.

• flowerhead arrangement.

• upper, middle and bottom leaf shape.

• habitat.

 

This course has several units to read and a customized field manual/book on plant Genera of Ontario. You also have the option of completing written assignments and questions for evaluation. You may also participate in field assessments geared at increasing your field inventory rate based on square quadrat and line transect survey methodology.

 

Level 3 plants courses and workshops

This is an advanced level course that generally requires completion of Level 1 and/or Level 2 courses, but not necessarily. Multiple field practicums are aimed to learn rapid field identification of plant species based on the following visual traits;

• presence or absence of hairs on stem, leaves and flowers.

• flower colour and shape.

• leaf venation.

• growth habitats.

• soil type and hydrology.

• confusing look-a-likes.

 

This course has several units to read and a customized field manual/book on plant species. You also have the option of completing written assignments and questions for evaluation. You may also participate in field assessments geared at increasing your field inventory rate based on square quadrat, line transect and random survey methodology. Standard survey protocol based on best management practices, guidance documents, environmental laws and policies are integrated into course and workshop structure.

 

ELIGIBILITY:

The following requirements should be met, if you planning on enrolling in courses for certification(s);

1. a degree, or diploma from any recognized college or university.

2. a copy of your transcript.

3. a copy of your degree or diploma.

4. at least three (3) letters of reference.

5. an updated resume.

6. a completed registration form

 

Most people enroll in our courses as professional skill upgrades.

 

The course fee covers the following:

• course material in the form of units, downloaded and PDF files from website

• specialized and personalized instruction from a seasoned and expert Field Botanist

• certificates of completion, letters of reference.

 

The course fee does not include;

• course field guide books and field manuals.

• return transportation to field sites.

• food and accommodations.

• airfare, if needed.

 

TESTIMONIALS

 

To read testimonials from students, professionals and others who have participated in our field courses please refer to our website;

 

http://www.earthquestcanada.ca/#!testimonials/vstc4=testimonials-by-students

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a field course, which is subject to changes due to weather, field schedules, permits needed to access some sites, biting insects such as ticks which may carry Lyme disease, mosquitos, which may carry West Nile virus, etc. Please be sure to read all terms and conditions before joining a course of your choice. More details may be found at;

 

http://www.earthquestcanada.ca/Termsandconditions.htm

 

 

Contact Information:

Please see our website (http:// http://earthquestcanada.wix.com/plant-courses#!level-1-&-2-course-reservations) for an application form, payment and cancellation policies, as well as field work opportunities with EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment.

Contact earthquestcanada@yahoo.com for further information if needed.

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