Aquatic Environmental Techniques Certificate

The Field Safety (min 2 courses) and the Aquatic Environmental Techniques Certificate (3 core + 3 elective courses) requirements must all be met in order to successfully complete this Certificate. The full certificate is comprised of combinations of the 13 courses from below (some courses may be offered in alternate years or on demand).  

All courses offered through this Certificate may also be taken on a course-by-course basis, external to the Certificate program by any student, professional, NGO, or First Nation participant from across Canada.

Many courses are under currently under development and course information will be updated when possible.

Course Descriptions

Electrofishing online and field training

Dates: Online access 1 May– 15 October
Field training runs from spring through to fall

Instructor(s): Michelle Gray, PhD, CRI and Mark Gautreau, BSc, CRI & Dept Biology, University of New Brunswick

Overview

Electrofishing is a commonly used fish collection method in streams, rivers, and lakes. Although not legislated in most provinces in Canada (except for BC), electrofishing training provides employers with evidence of due diligence and provides trainees with adequate knowledge of the risks and safety features of these machines. We focus on backpack electrofishing training, but also have boat electrofishing training upon request.

Key Learning Objectives

• What is electrofishing?
• Why electrofish?
• Electrical and electrofishing theory
• Impacts of electrofishing
• Electrofishing safety guidelines
• Field procedures and techniques
• Recommended standard operating procedures

Details This course is considered a ‘blended’ course – course materials are delivered via an online course and then all participants must complete a field practicum (half day for backpack, full day for boat). The online materials are delivered using an online learning management system called Desire2Learn. Participants must complete the online component (pass is 80% on final quiz), a minimum of 24h BEFORE attending their designated field practicum.

This course is recognized by DFO as an acceptable backpack electrofishing training course. Register well in advance of field training to ensure timely and sufficient access to the online materials before the field practicum. Electrofishing certificate recipients should recertify within every 5 years to refresh their skills and update their certificate.

Course Fees

1-Full-time students only, proof will need to be provided.
2-Requires proof of prior training within 5 years 2013

Field Practicum Schedule

Waterloo ON April 9-10 (backpack and boat)
Fredericton NB 24 May, 21 Jun, 19 Jul, 16 Aug, 20 Sep 3

other dates locations may be added throughout the season based on demand (min 5 participants needed to run a field practicum)

To discuss options for additional location/dates or boat electrofishing training, please contact the CRI Training Director.

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Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) Online and Field Training Program

Dates Online access between 1 May 2013 – 15 March 2014.
Field training runs from late spring through the summer depending on location.

Overview

The National CABIN team of Environment Canada in partnership with the Canadian Rivers Institute (CRI) at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) has developed an online training program to provide interested participants with a nationally standardized protocol for aquatic biomonitoring. The objective of the CABIN Training Program is to provide participants with necessary skills and knowledge to successfully conduct freshwater benthic invertebrate monitoring to a nationally acceptable standard, using CABIN methods; and to provide uniformity and consistency in the application of CABIN methods across Canada.

Details  Depending on the interest and responsibilities of users, each module was designed for a specific purpose. There are no prerequisites to take the CABIN training; however, a background in biology, stream ecology, environmental science, or a related field would be helpful.

The full program (CABIN Project Manager) consists of 6 online learning modules and includes a field certification workshop (2-days, regionally based across Canada). For participants that will not be designing studies themselves, but will be more likely conducting the fieldwork and entering data, the CABIN Field Technician level is more appropriate. This consists of 3 online learning modules and includes the field certification workshop as above.

Each online learning module contains assessment activities, such as quizzes and assignments, to evaluate learning. Online training is complemented by the field workshop where participants are certified in the CABIN field methods that are described in Module 2. Field certifications are held in several locations across Canada during the summer months. In addition to obtaining field certification, the workshops provide the opportunity to ask questions and participate in group discussions related to the information learned online.

What Modules should I take? The desire to use different resources in CABIN determines the level of training that is required and the modules that should be taken. There are four primary levels of training:

   *Modules may also be taken individually, contact CRI Training Director for more information.

Key Learning Objectives

Module 1: Introduction to CABIN and biomonitoring (3-6 hours)

• why aquatic organisms are used in water quality monitoring and common assessment methods and approaches
• understanding of concept behind the reference condition approach (RCA), steps involved in study design, and selection of reference sites

Module 2: Field sampling using standard CABIN protocols (3-6 hours)

• understanding of CABIN sampling protocols and rationale behind the selection of the protocols and data management within the CABIN database
• after successful completion of the regionally-based face-to-face field practicum session, participants will receive certification in CABIN sampling techniques

Module 3: Macroinvertebrate sample processing and taxonomy (3-6 hours) 

• understanding of the sample processing procedures for benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) samples and a basic introduction to BMI taxonomy

Module 4: Study design and statistics of model building (10-15 hours)

•  understanding of the concept behind the reference condition approach (RCA), study design, site selection for the purpose of collecting reference data for reference condition models in partnership with Environment Canada or others
• understand the basics of how the CABIN models are built and how predictions are made in order to understand and interpret the site assessments

Module 5: Test Site Assessment: Data Analysis, interpretation and reporting (10-15 hours) 

• understanding of the CABIN database, the steps involved in CABIN data analysis for site assessment and interpreting the outputs and the steps involved in the CABIN reporting tools

Data Entry Module (2-3 hours)

• understanding of the data management structure within CABIN

Field Certification Practicum (16 hours) 

• participants will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the field sampling protocols, proper sampling techniques, and use of field equipment

A grade of 70% is required for each online module in order to receive final certification. Modules 1 and 2 must be completed BEFORE attending the field practicum.

1-Full-time students only, proof will need to be provided.

2013 Schedule

Online course access runs from 1 May 2013 until 15 March 2014.

Field practicum dates and locations will be posted and sent out to registered participants as soon as they are confirmed by regional Environment Canada CABIN leads. Contact the CRI Training Director with any questions.