Become part of the Global Seagrass Observing Network

Seagrass training begins here.

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Our courses

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.

Seagrass-Watch HQ offers 3 endorsed training courses:  Introductory, Level 1, Level 2.  Using elective modules, courses can be tailored to meet specific client requirements.

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 training event.

GLOBAL SEAGRASS OBSERVING NETWORK

Seagrass training

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, 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.

Tailored Training

Seagrass-Watch HQ can tailor our existing courses, using the elective modules to meet your organisation's training objectives and requirements upon request.

Building capacity

Our training builds the capacity of participants to collect information critical for management and protection of important marine resources.

Excellence

Our trainers are marine science professionals with real-world experience in global research and monitoring

We want to see you succeed and know how to get you there!

Training Requirements

Training is for participants 18 years of age and over. There needs to be a minimum of 6 and maximum 15 registered participants, to conduct a Seagrass-Watch training event.

Courses are in English and you need to have a reasonable proficiency of the English language.

Components

Three components – formal lectures, field training exercise, and laboratory exercises. Training includes hands-on experience with globally standardised methodologies for seagrass assessment.

Regularly updated

Our training courses are regularly reviewed and refined to address current concerns and challenges.

Courses

Introductory

Introduction for those who have not participated in a field exercise and are interested in conducting monitoring

Level 1

Course for experienced participants planning to lead a seagrass monitoring event or conduct seagrass extension activities

Level 2

Course for dedicated and experienced participants refreshing/updating skills and/or considering coordination of local monitoring.

Elective modules

Module 1: Mapping

Course for experienced participants planning to lead subtidal and/or intertidal seagrass mapping

Module 2: Drone Intro

Introductory course for those interested in Earth Observing mapping of intertidal seagrass meadows

SAVING SEAGRASS

Seagrass training

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, first nations, professional body and community clients

Training Dates

Is your Training Seagrass-Watch endorsed?
Training other than those listed, are not recognised/endorsed or certified by Seagrass-Watch HQ or the Global Seagrass Observing Network.

Certification

We want to see you succeed and know how to get you there!

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, but has yet to complete all units of competency within allocated time

Participant attended classroom, laboratory and field sessions, but did not successfully complete all units of competency

Training costs

Training costs vary depending on training course, country and travel.

For detailed costing (quotation) and information, please contact Seagrass-Watch for further details. 

PLEASE NOTE: A conversion rate of up to 0.75 will be charged on quotes in USD

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

Just some of our valued clients

Common Questions

Seagrass-Watch HQ has a tiered level of certification for training participants 18 years of age and over (for interested participants 17 yrs and under please see Education).

    • Introduction to Seagrass (no certification)
    • Level 1
    • Level 2
    • Module 1: Seagrass Mapping
    • Module 2: Drone Introduction

Training costs vary depending on the training course, country and travel.

For detailed costing (quotation) and information, please contact Seagrass-Watch for further details.  PLEASE NOTE: A conversion rate of up to 0.75 will be charged on quotes in USD.

We STRONGLY 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

There are requirements before you can attend a course:

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.

    • Introductory requirements: Participants must be 18 years and over.
    • Level 1 requirements: participated in at least one field monitoring event prior to attending
    • Level 2 requirements: completion of level 1 and must complete 3 monitoring events/periods over a 12 month period
    • Module 1 Seagrass Mapping requirements: completion of level 1
    • Module 2 Drone Intro requirements: completion of level 1 or Introductory course (minimum)

There are requirements before you can attend a course, and a level of achievement to be completed to pass a training course.

    • Introductory: There is no assessment and no certification.
    • Level 1 requirements to Pass = Participants must demonstrate competency across 9 core units, during and post workshop
    • Level 2 requirements to Pass = Participants must demonstrate competency across 5 core units, during the training event
    • Drone Intro requirements to Pass = Participants must demonstrate competency across 5 core units, during the training event
    • Mapping requirements to Pass = Participants must demonstrate competency across 5 core units, during the training event

Depending on the level of involvement and completion, participants are presented with the following certificates

    • 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, but has yet to complete all units of competency within allocated time
    • Certificate of Attendance:  Participant attended classroom, laboratory and field sessions, but did not successfully complete all units of competency

We STRONGLY recommend that groups contact Seagrass-Watch HQ directly for endorsement & assistance  before putting in applications for any funding for Seagrass-Watch training or any Seagrass-Watch related activity.

We do not endorse any application using Seagrass-Watch name/logo or likeness without prior approval from Seagrass-Watch HQ.

Any application for funding, MUST be made with Seagrass-Watch HQ endorsement letter.

Seagrass-Watch recognises Prior Learning (RPL) qualifications of Scientists/Environmental Practitioners who have a degree (or similar) in environmental/marine science and are able to demonstrate competency in Seagrass-Watch methods & protocols.

1. Qualifications are demonstrated by provision of a CV (Curriculum Vitae) which details:

        • degree (or similar) in environmental/marine science
        • research history in seagrass or marine science.

2. Competency is demonstrated by checks on data submitted (same as level 1 post workshop monitoring events):

        • data must be compliant
        • 78% of transects assessed must pass QAQC

Contact Us

Get in touch to discuss our courses, prices, dates or options.

Classroom component

Laboratory component

Field Component

Certification

Training Wrap up