Training
Get Certified
Become part of the Global Seagrass Observing Network
Introductory (Novice)
Basic Course designed as an introduction to Seagrass-Watch. For Novices.
Level 1 (Basic)
Course for experienced participants, to supervise/lead monitoring events
Level 2 (Intermediate)
Course for knowledgeable participants updating skills.
Level 2.1 (Advanced)
Course for Advanced participants. Content is structured to participant interest
TRAINING
Get Certified & become part of the Global Seagrass Observing Network.
WHATS INVOLVED
Training is targeted at participants with an education level of year 12 to first year university.
Participants will learn about seagrass biology, seagrass ecology, why seagrass is important and how seagrass can be damaged. Participants are trained to identify local seagrass species, undertake rapid visual assessment methods (% cover), accurately record data, preserve seagrass samples for a herbarium, photograph quadrats and identify presence of dugong feeding trails or other impacts.
Formal assessments are multiple choice questions, in an open format (participants can work in teams and use resources available).
Follow up training (“refresher”) is an important component of the program to ensure that data collection is rigorous. Training aids have been developed in consultation with participants and include manuals, field data books, and photographic reference sheets.
Building capacity
Training builds the capacity of participants to collect information critical for management and protection of important marine resources.
Training components
Training comprises of three components – formal lectures, field training exercise, and laboratory exercise. Training includes hands on experience with standard methodologies for seagrass assessment.
TRAINING REQUIRMENTS
Training is for participants 18 years of age and over. There are prerequisites to attend each level of training.
WHATS INVOLVED
Training is targeted at participants with an education level of year 12 to first year university.
Participants will learn about seagrass biology, seagrass ecology, why seagrass is important and how seagrass can be damaged. Participants are trained to identify local seagrass species, undertake rapid visual assessment methods (% cover), accurately record data, preserve seagrass samples for a herbarium, photograph quadrats (transect-based seagrass monitoring) and identify presence of dugong feeding trails or other impacts.
Formal assessments are multiple choice questions, in an open format (participants can work in teams and use resources available).
Follow up training (“refresher”) is an important component of the program to ensure that data collection is rigorous. Training aids have been developed in consultation with participants and include manuals, field data books, and photographic reference sheets.
Building capacity
Our training builds the capacity of participants to collect information critical for management and protection of important marine resources.
Training components
Transect-based seagrass monitoring includes three components – formal lectures, field training exercise, and laboratory exercises. Training includes hands-on experience with globally standardised methodologies for seagrass assessment.
TRAINING REQUIRMENTS
Training is for participants 18 years of age and over. There are prerequisites to attend training. There needs to be a minimum of 6 and maximum 15 registered participants, to conduct a Seagrass-Watch training event.
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TRAINING LEVELS
© Seagrass-Watch HQ
Get Certified & become part of the Global Seagrass Observing Network.
Get Certified & become part of the Global Seagrass Observing Network.
Seagrass-Watch HQ offers four endorsed training courses: Introductory, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 2.1. These courses provide participants with the skills and knowledge required to successfully choose an appropriate monitoring strategy, establish monitoring sites and conduct long-term monitoring. Following the completion of a training course, participants will be certified, depending on their level of ability.
All Training courses are reviewed annually and run by Seagrass-Watch HQ.
Please note: There needs to be a minimum of 6 and maximum 15 registered participants, to conduct a Seagrass-Watch trainng event.
introductory
Novice
Introductory courses are held in locations where seagrass monitoring does not currently occur.
The course is for people who have expressed an interest in seagrass ecosystems, but have not participated in a field exercise and are considering conducting monitoring in future. The course is designed to provide information so that people can make an informed decision if this is something they would be prepared to continue with in future.
Introductory
what to expect
Informal presentations tailored to the audience and local area, followed by a brief field demonstration. Event will give participants some background knowledge and an idea of what the monitoring entails.
Duration is 4-5 hours
Prerequisite
requirements to attend
Participants must be 18 years and over.
What is learnt
participants will learn
- what is a seagrass
- why seagrass is important
- how to ID some seagrass species
- basic field demonstration
Achievement
what is required to PASS
There is no assessment and no certification.
Level 1
Basic Training
This training course is for experienced participants who plan to lead a seagrass monitoring event or conduct seagrass extension activities
Participants will study seagrass biology, learn seagrass taxonomy, discuss seagrass ecology, gain knowledge of monitoring, learn globally standarised Seagrass-Watch transect-based seagrass monitoring protocols, and become skilled at conducting a field monitoring event.
Level 1
what to expect
Formal lectures, discussions and interactive group activities. Laboratory exercises and a field activity.
Presentations are targeted at participants with a moderate proficiency in English and an education level of year 12 to first year university.
Training is 2-3 days
Prerequisites
requirements to attend
Must have attempted/participated in at least one Seagrass-Watch field monitoring event or attended an Introductory Workshop.
Participants must be 18 years and over.
What is learnt
participants will
- study seagrass biology and ecology;
- learn seagrass taxonomy;
- learn techniques for monitoring seagrass resources
Achievement
what is required to PASS
Participants must demonstrate competency across 9 core units, during and post workshop
Knowledge:
Thorough understanding of:
- what seagrasses are
- why seagrass are important
- factors required for healthy seagrass growth
Skills:
Proficiency in:
- how to identify seagrass species
- how to make a herbarium press specimen
- how to monitor seagrass resources
Abilities:
Capacity to confidently:
- educate others on seagrass resources
- conduct seagrass monitoring
- understand threats to seagrasses
Level 2
Intermediate Training
This training course is for dedicated and experienced participants refreshing/updating skills and/or considering coordination of local monitoring.
Participants will refresh seagrass identification skills, revise seagrass biology knowledge, review Seagrass-Watch transect-based seagrass monitoring protocols, address data collection issues (QAQC), and demonstrate Seagrass-Watch field monitoring skills.
Please note: There must be a minimum of 6 months between a Level 1 and Level 2 training event.
Level 2
what to expect
Formal lectures, discussions and group activities. Laboratory exercises and field activities.
Presentations are targeted at participants with a higher proficiency in English and an education level of year 12 to first year university.
Training is 1-2 days
Prerequisites
requirements to attend
Must have successfully completed Level 1 Certificate of Achievement.
Participants must be 18 years and over.
What is learnt
participants will
- upgrade seagrass identification skills
- improve seagrass biology knowledge
- understand data collection issues (QAQC)
- upgrade Seagrass-Watch monitoring skills
Achievement
what is required to PASS
Participants must demonstrate competency across 5 core units, during the training event
Knowledge:
Increase understanding of:
- seagrass biology and ecology
- seagrass ecosystem services
- seagrass pressures, state and response
Skills:
Improve proficiency in:
- how to identify seagrass species
- how to monitor seagrass resources
- how to minimise errors in the field
Abilities:
Capacity to confidently:
- educate others on seagrass resources
- plan and conduct seagrass monitoring
- assess threats to seagrasses
Level 2.1
Advanced Training
This training course is for Advanced participants enhancing knowledge and upgrading skills to map seagrass or coordinate local monitoring.
Advanced participants will learn how to either: conduct a resource assessment, conduct a risk vulnerability analysis, coordinate local monitoring, conduct data entry, or manage seagrass resources.
Level 2.1
what to expect
Formal lectures, presentations, discussions and group activities. Laboratory exercises and field activities.
Presentations are targeted at participants with a high proficiency in English and an education level of first year university or tertiary college.
Training is 2-3 days
Prerequisites
requirements to attend
Must have successfully completed Level 1 Certificate of Achievement.
Participants must be 18 years and over.
What is learnt
advanced participants will
- upgrade seagrass identification skills
- enhance seagrass biology knowledge
- refinement of Seagrass-Watch protocols
- conduct seagrass mapping
- conduct a risk vulnerability analysis
- coordinate local monitoring
- conduct data entry
- improve seagrass resource management
Achievement
what is required to PASS
Participants must demonstrate competency across 5 core units + 2 elective units, during the training event
Knowledge:
Thorough understanding of:
- seagrass biology and ecology
- seagrass ecosystem services
- seagrass pressures, state and response
Skills:
Proficiency in:
- seagrass resource assessment
- risk and vulnerability assessment
- coordination of monitoring efforts
Abilities:
Capacity to confidently:
- demonstrate how to monitor seagrass
- assess & respond to seagrass threats
- map seagrass resources
INTRODUCTORY
Novice
Introductory courses are held in locations where seagrass monitoring does not currently occur.
The course is for people who have expressed an interest in seagrass ecosystems, but have not participated in a field exercise and are considering conducting monitoring in future. The course is designed to provide information so that people can make an informed decision if this is something they would be prepared to continue with in future.
What to expect: Informal presentations tailored to the audience and local area, followed by a brief field demonstration. Event will give participants some background knowledge and an idea of what the monitoring entails.
Duration is 4-5 hours
Requirements to attend: Participants must be 18 years and over.
There is no assessment for Introductory participants and no certification.
LEVEL 1
Basic training
This training course is for experienced participants who plan to lead a seagrass monitoring event or conduct seagrass extension activities
Participants will study seagrass biology, learn seagrass taxonomy, discuss seagrass ecology, gain knowledge of monitoring, learn globally standarised Seagrass-Watch protocols, and become skilled at conducting a field monitoring event.
What to expect: Classroom presentations, discussions and interactive group activities. Laboratory exercises and a field activity.
Presentations are targeted at participants with a moderate proficiency in English and an education level of year 12 to first year university.
Training is 2-3 days
Requirements: Must have attempted/participated in at least one Seagrass-Watch field monitoring event or attended an Introductory Workshop.
Participants must be 18 years and over.
Achievement
- demonstrated competency across 9 core units.
- attendance of classroom and laboratory sessions:
- achieve 80% of formal assessment (5 units)
- demonstrated competency in the field during the training (1 unit).
- post workshop (3 units) successful completion of 3 monitoring events/periods within 12 months) – Data must pass QAQC to qualify
3 post workshop monitoring events (3 units) must be successfully completed within 12 months of the workshop:
- Demonstrates you have the experience and competency to conduct monitoring on your own
- Must be conducted no sooner than 1 month after the 2-day training workshop and each monitoring event/period must be separated by at least 1 month, regardless of number of sites monitored.
- After each monitoring event, original datasheets, photos, etc must be submitted to Seagrass-Watch HQ and data must pass QAQC:
- compliant datasheets completed accurately
- correct description of sediment & comments
- seagrass cover estimates within acceptable limits
- correct seagrass species identification
- correct seagrass species compositions
- correct seagrass canopy height measures
- macro algae cover estimates within acceptable limits
- epiphyte cover estimates within acceptable limits
- compliant quadrat photos
LEVEL 2
Intermediate
Please note: There must be a minimum of at least 3 months between a Level 1 and Level 2 training event.
This training course is for dedicated and experienced participants refreshing/updating skills and/or considering coordination of local monitoring.
Participants will refresh seagrass identification skills, revise seagrass biology knowledge, review Seagrass-Watch protocols, address data collection issues (QAQC), and demonstrate Seagrass-Watch field monitoring skills.
What to expect: Formal classroom presentations, discussions and group activities. Laboratory exercises and field activities.
Presentations are targeted at participants with a higher proficiency in English and an education level of year 12 to first year university.
Training is 1-2 days
Requirements: Must have successfully completed Level 1 Certificate of Achievement.
Participants must be 18 years and over.
Achievement: demonstrated competency in 5 core units. Attendance of classroom, laboratory and field sessions: achieve 80% of formal assessment (multiple choice, open book) and demonstrated competency in the field.
LEVEL 2.1
Advanced
This training course is for Advanced participants enhancing knowledge and upgrading skills to map seagrass or coordinate local monitoring.
Advanced participants will learn how to either: conduct a resource assessment, conduct a risk vulnerability analysis, coordinate local monitoring, conduct data entry, or manage seagrass resources.
What to expect:Formal classroom presentations, discussions and group activities. Laboratory exercises and field activities.
Presentations are targeted at participants with a high proficiency in English and an education level of first year university or tertiary college.
Training is 2-3 day
Requirements to attend: Must have successfully completed Level 1 Certificate of Achievement.
Participants must be 18 years and over.
Achievement: demonstrated competency in 5 core + 2 elective units. Attendance of classroom, laboratory and field sessions: achieve 80% of formal assessment (multiple choice, open book).
1 UNIT: Successfully complete Elective 1: achieve 75%
1 UNIT: Successfully complete Elective 2: achieve 75%
Training Dates
Below is a list of Seagrass-Watch HQ endorsed and run training courses/workshops. Seagrass-Watch HQ has developed these training courses, specifically for the Seagrass-Watch program.
Is your Training Seagrass-Watch endorsed?
Training other than those listed below, are not recognised/endorsed or certified by Seagrass-Watch HQ or the Seagrass-Watch program.
Where we train
Seagrass-Watch provides training courses globally. We regularly offer training courses throughout Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia and east Africa, along with tailored in-house courses for a wide range of government, professional body and community clients. We are happy to develop new tailored courses to meet specific client requirements.
2024 Level 1
March 2024
Hervey Bay, QLD (Private)
2023 Level 1
11-13 September 2023
Yuku Baja Muliku, Archer Point, QLD (completed)
2022 Level 1
27 – 29 April 2022
Yuwi and Koinmerburra First Nations: Mackay, QLD (Completed)
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14- 17 June 2022
Wuthathi First Nations: Cairns, QLD (Completed)
February 2021
Gladstone Level 1 training:09 -11 February 2021 (Completed)
Participants: 15 max Private
Field: Lilley’s Beach, Boyne Island
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Certification
Depending on the level of involvement and completion, participants are presented with the following certificates:
Participant successfully completed classroom, laboratory and field components, and successfully completed all units of competency
Participant successfully completed classroom, laboratory and field components, and successfully completed all units of competency
Participant attended classroom, laboratory and field sessions, but did not successfully complete all units of competency
Certificate of Achievement:
Participant successfully completed classroom, laboratory and field components, and successfully completed all units of competency
Certificate of Participation:
Participant successfully completed classroom, laboratory and field components, and successfully completed all units of competency
Certificate of Attendance:
Participant attended classroom, laboratory and field sessions, but did not successfully complete all units of competency
Customised Training
We can tailor and develop training content for your organisation
Seagrass-Watch HQ provides a flexible ‘customised training’ service where we develop specialised content or tailor our existing content for your organisation’s training objectives upon request.
We have provided training courses, lectures or presentations for many organisations working in conservation drawing upon the wealth of expertise of our in-house training team.
Our training program is expanding as we regularly review and refine our courses, develop new courses that address current concerns and challenges. We can create new content to suit a client's needs. Please contact us for more information
Our Trainers
At Seagrass-Watch HQ , our trainers share your goals.
We want to see you succeed and know how to get you there!
The Seagrass-Watch HQ team is made up of highly skilled, qualified and passionate trainers who bring with them years of experience. In addition, our trainers still actively work in the scientific field, on a day to day basis. This ensures the latest knowledge, trends and know-how is delivered to you as a student.
Training Fees
Training costs vary depending on training course, country and travel.
For detailed costing (quotation) and information, please contact Seagrass-Watch for further details.
We recommend that prior to groups putting in applications for funding for Seagrass-Watch training or any Seagrass-Watch related activity that they contact us directly for assistance and quotes. We do not endorse any application using Seagrass-Watch name/logo or likeness without prior approval from Seagrass-Watch HQ