Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) Training
What is CABIN? | Training program | Benefits | Format | What modules should I take | CABIN resources| Level of training| Training module expectations| Module evaluations |Deadline |Certification| Training Schedule | Contacts
Registration is open
What is CABIN?
The Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) is a national, collaborative program and network for collecting, assessing and distributing information on the biological condition and biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems in Canada.
The development of CABIN began over 10 years ago through extensive biological assessments in the Great Lakes and the Fraser River of British Columbia. As a national program, CABIN is maintained by Environment Canada (EC) to establish a network of reference sites available to all users interested in assessing the biological health of freshwater in Canada.
CABIN provides participants with a nationally standardized protocol for the collection of benthic macroinvertebrate and stream information that is then shared in th network using online tools. Partnering with other agencies and departments allows everyone to get the ultimate product at a fraction of the cost. This data sharing is also useful for future projects as historical data is beneficial to understanding current trends.
CABIN includes Internet-based tools for storing, assessing and reporting data available to trained network participants. It is a network of networks with participation from diverse organizations - from community groups for local watershed monitoring to national biodiversity and risk assessment studies.
Online CABIN Training Program
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 full program consists of 6 online learning modules including a field certification workshop.
The objective of the program is to provide course participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully conduct biological monitoring to a nationally acceptable standard, using CABIN methods; and to provide uniformity and consistency in the application of CABIN methods across Canada. Depending on the interest and responsibilities of users, the each module was designed for a specific purpose. The breakdown of the program, the learning outcomes and the different levels of training are described in Table 2 and Table 3. 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.
Benefits
This online training will allow for the following benefits:
- Internet based training allows CABIN to reach out to more people across Canada than lengthy face-to-face courses
- Online training allows participants to learn at their own pace and a flexible schedule to ensure effective learning
- Time to internalize, review and reflect on learning
- Participants are not away from their daily activities for extended periods of time
- Time to do extra reading if desired
- Access to relevant scientific research publications if available through Desire2Learn online learning tool at UNB
- Decreased costs of travel by having local training in each region
- Modules available for specific roles, e.g. the opportunity for technicians to only take the field sampling module (Module 2)
- Teaching assistants available for participants to pose questions and concerns
Format
The online training is provided using Blackboard®, an e-learning tool used by universities to host online training. Each module contains assessment activities, such as quizzes and assignments, to evaluate learning. Online training is complemented by a 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 three primary levels of training, Project Manager training (all modules), Field Technician training (Modules 1 & 2, Data Entry and field certification), and Data Analyst (Modules 1, 5 and Data Entry). Training in the use of the database is also offered for Data Entry Technicians (data entry module only). Modules may also be taken individually, contact Michelle Gray for more information.
Table 1. CABIN Resources
CABIN Data |
Only metadata is available to the general public. Data within CABIN that is released for sharing is available to those who have participated in CABIN training and have a username and password. |
CABIN Protocol & Related Documents |
The CABIN sampling and taxonomy lab protocols are freely available on the CABIN website. CABIN field certification ensures that the user has demonstrated the knowledge and understanding of the proper sampling techniques outlined in the manual. Anyone certified can contribute data to the CABIN database. |
| CABIN Database | The CABIN sampling and taxonomy lab protocols are freely available on the CABIN website. CABIN field certification ensures that the user has demonstrated the knowledge and understanding of the proper sampling techniques outlined in the manual. Anyone certified can contribute data to the CABIN database. |
| CABIN Analytical & Reporting Tools | Access to the analytical and reporting tools is provided to those who complete the appropriate training and demonstrate an understanding of the CABIN analysis. |
Table 2: Level of Training
| Level of Training | Support from regional EC staff | Request a new study in CABIN | Ability to collect and contribute to the database |
Access to view, add and edit data
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Access to analytical tools | Ability to export data |
Project ManagerAll modules & field certificationFor project leaders & people involved in a CABIN study from beginning to end |
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√ |
√ |
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Field TechnicianModules 1 & 2, Data Entry and field certification.For field technicians who are not involved in study design or data analysis. |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
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Data AnalystModules 1 & 5 and Data EntryFor people hired to conduct analyses but who were not involved in data collection. |
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View Data Only |
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Data Entry TechnicianData Entry ModuleFor people hired specifically to assist with data entry or for a taxonomist entering taxonomic data directly into the database for a study already set up in CABIN by Project Managers. |
Support from EC is provided through the associated Field Technician or Data Manager |
Data to be entered must come from a Field Technician or Project Manager who has set up a study in the CABIN database |
√Data to be entered must come from a Field Technician or Project Manager who has set up a study in the CABIN database |
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Table 3: Training Modules Expectations
Module 1: Introduction to CABIN and biomonitoring
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Participants will have an understanding of why aquatic organisms are used in water quality monitoring and the common assessment methods and approaches. Participants will also have an understanding of the concept behind the reference condition approach (RCA), the steps involved in study design and the selection of reference sites. Prerequisites: None Expected Participants: Project Manager, Field Technician, Data Analyst |
Module 2: Field sampling using standard CABIN protocols (3 to 6 hours) |
Participants will have an understanding of the CABIN sampling protocols, the rationale behind the selection of the protocols and data management within the CABIN database. After successful completion of the individually scheduled face-to-face field practicum session, participants will receive certification in CABIN sampling techniques and will receive Data Manager access to create studies within CABIN and contribute data to the CABIN database. Prerequisites: Module 1 Co-requisites: Data Entry & Field Certification Expected Participants: Project Manager, Field Technician |
| Module 3: Macroinvertebrate sample processing and taxonomy (3 to 6 hours) |
Participants will have an understanding of the sample processing procedures for macroinvertebrate samples and a basic introduction to benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy. Prerequisites: None Expected Participants:Taxonomist, Project Manager issuing taxonomy contracts, Participants new to invertebrate taxonomy |
| Module 4: Study design and statistics of model building (10 to 15 hours) | Participants will have an understanding of the concept behind the reference condition approach, study design, site selection for the purpose of collecting reference data for reference condition models in partnership with Environment Canada or others. The statistics involved in building CABIN predictive models will be introduced. Participants are expected to understand the basics of how the models are built and how predictions are made in order to understand and interpret the site assessments. Participants are not expected to know how to build models at the completion of this module. This ability requires extensive knowledge in statistics and access to statistical software packages. Recommended : Modules 1 & 2 Expected Participants:Project Manager, Consultant hired to do analysis but did not participate in data collection. |
Module 5: Test Site Assessment: Data Analysis, interpretation and reporting (10 to 15 hours) |
Participants will have an 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. Participants will receive a Data Analyst access to the CABIN analytical and reporting tools. Prerequisites: Module 1 Recommended: Modules 2 & 4 Expected Participants: Project Manager, Data Analyst hired to do analysis using CABIN but did not participate in data collection. |
Data Entry Module (2 to 3 hours) |
Participants will have an understanding of the data management structure within CABIN. Participants will receive Data User access to enter data to studies already set up within the CABIN database by certified CABIN participants. Prerequisites: None Expected Participants: Project Manager, Field Technician, Data Analyst, Taxonomist, Data Entry Technician |
Field Certification Practicum (18 hours) |
Participants will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the field sampling protocols and the proper sampling techniques and use of field equipment. Participants will be certified to contribute collected data to CABIN. Participants will receive access to enter data after the completion of the Data Entry module. Prerequisites: Modules 1 & 2 Co-requisite: Data Entry Expected Participants: Project Manager, Field Technician |
Module Evaluations
An average grade of 70% is required for each module in order to receive your certification.
- A teaching assistant is available for questions, comments and discussions. In the event of sizeable concurrent registrations, please allow up to one week for a response. Module assignments which require evaluation by a teaching assistant will be returned in a timely fashion.
- Delays in receiving assignment marks can be expected during the field season, between August and October. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Deadline
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Deadline for completion of all modules is March 15, 2014. Assignments will NOT be accepted after this date. Participants will be required to register in May 2014 for any modules that are not completed by the end date for a fee of $125 per person. |
Certification
- Participants receive electronic certificates following the completion of each online module.
- Participants receive a certificate following the field training and at the close of the 2012 session to indicate the number of online modules completed and the level of training achieved.
2013 Online Training Schedule
On-line Module Schedule
Desire2Learn: all online modules can be completed at your own pace from May 1, 2013 - March 15th, 2014. See registration section below for information on course fees and how to register.
Field Certification Schedule
Please click here to signup for field practicums. Enrolment in the field workshop is limited to 16 people per workshop. Registration is first come first served. Most field workshops will be run by your regional Environment Canada CABIN leads, with support and organization from the Canadian Rivers Institute.
| Location | CABIN Lead | 2013 Training Dates |
| NWT/NU/AB/MB/SK | Emily McIvor |
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| YK/BC | Stephanie Strachan |
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| QU | Alain Armellin |
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| ON | Tim Pascoe |
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| NS/NB/PE/NL | Lesley Carter |
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Contacts and Registration
Registration Fees
The current registration fee for the complete package of modules is $500. Registration fees for the individual modules are $125 per module and $75 for only the Data Entry module. We have reduced rates for students and NGOs, please contact Michelle Gray for special rates.
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Training Level |
Modules |
2013 Registration Fees |
| Project Manager | 1,2,3,4,5, Data Entry & Field Certification | $500 Cdn |
| Field Technician | 1,2, Data Entry & Field Certification | $250 Cdn |
| Data Analyst | 1,5 & Data Entry | $250 Cdn |
| Data Entry Technician | Data Entry only | $75 Cdn |
| Custom | $125 per module |
Registration fees are used to cover the administrative costs associated with program maintenance and delivery.
The cost of the field certification is currently built into the cost of Module 2.
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Access to online materials will run from May 1, 2013 - March 15, 2014. To register, please go to the top of this page and click on the "Register" button. |
Contacts
For further information about the training program and how to register, please contact any of the following people:
Lesley Carter (Environment Canada’s National CABIN Coordinator)
Email Lesley
Michelle Gray (Training Coordinator-Canadian Rivers Institute)
Email Michelle
For payment receipts, please contact Barbara MacInnis at UNB's College of Extended Learning
