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      • GCN Training Course
    • Shop
    • Newt Identification Cards
    • GCN Documents
      • GCN Mitigation Guidelines
      • NSP Report
      • NatureScot GCN Standing
      • The NRW GCN TAF Spec
      • The NRW Template GCN Mit
      • A GCN RAM MS
      • NSP DL GCN Best Practice
      • NSP GCN MP
  • Home
  • GCN Training Courses
    • GCN Training Course
  • Shop
  • Newt Identification Cards
  • GCN Documents
    • GCN Mitigation Guidelines
    • NSP Report
    • NatureScot GCN Standing
    • The NRW GCN TAF Spec
    • The NRW Template GCN Mit
    • A GCN RAM MS
    • NSP DL GCN Best Practice
    • NSP GCN MP

About Our Great Crested Newt Training

GCN, Training, gcntraining, Great Crested Newt, James, Jim, Grundy, Newt, Smooth, Palmate, licence

  

It has become apparent that there has been a significant reduction in workplace GCN training opportunities, due to the widespread use of GCN eDNA water sampling and the move away from traditional GCN presence / likely absence and population size class assessment surveys (that historically equipped ecologists with a range of skills). The situation has been further exacerbated as a consequence of the widespread take up of the Natural England GCN District Level Licence scheme (specifically the no GCN survey data available option).

 

It is clear to GCN Training Ltd and others within the ecology sector that the courses offered are required to help ensure that valuable and transferable GCN field skills are not degraded or lost. The level of individual competence demonstrated on the course will determine if a delegate can receive a personal reference to become a Registered Person in their own right under the Natural England level 1 CLO8 licence and/or the Natural Resources Wales GCN Survey licence or the NatureScot GCN Survey licence. 

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GCN Training 2026 Course Dates -TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 2025

GCN Training 2026 Course Dates -TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 2025

GCN Training 2026 Course Dates -TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 2025

GCN Training 2026 Course Dates -TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 2025

GCN Training 2026 Course Dates -TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 2025

GCN Training 2026 Course Dates -TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 2025

Itinerary for 2 day course (2026)

Day 1 - 10am - 10pm

Day 2 - 8:30am - 1:15pm

Day 2 - 8:30am - 1:15pm

09:45 - Delegates arrive at the Olive Grove Conference Centre, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6LW (free parking).

10:00 - 10:30 - Welcome, tea/coffee, housekeeping, introductions, course itinerary, objectives and aims.

10:30 - 10:45 - GCN Legislation overview and a brief review of GCN licensing.

10:45 - 12:15 - Newt identification, incorporating tutor presentation/s combined with a series of interactive practical species identification exercises with live specimens including adults, eggs/leaf folds and larvae of all 3 native UK newt species.

12:15 - 13:00 - Buffet Lunch (provided).

13:00 - 14:15 - The use of the GCN Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessment, detailed review of GCN aquatic survey methods including GCN eDNA water sampling, egg/leaf fold search, hand netting, bottle trapping and torch survey.

14:15 - 14:45 - Survey data recording, use of risk assessments and biosecurity measures.

14:45 - 15:00 - Break (tea /coffee provided).

15:00 - 15:15 - Travel to the GCN ‘Field Site’(approx. five minute drive).

15:15 - 18:15 - The practical use of GCN aquatic survey methodologies at the ‘Field Site’ including HSI assessment, GCN eDNA water sampling, egg/leaf fold search, hand netting and bottle trapping (delegates to set the bottle traps to be deployed overnight). Note: Delegates will be required to demonstrate understanding of the HSI and competence in their use of the aquatic GCN survey methods, species identification and data recording. 

18:15 - 18:30 - Travel to the Crokinson Farm Public House (approx. five minute drive).

18:30 - 20:00 - Evening Meal (provided) to incorporate general discussion and Q & A.

20:00 - 20:15 - Travel back to the ‘Field Site’.

20:15 - 22:00 - Delegates, in pairs, to undertake a GCN torch survey at ‘Field Site’ ponds. Note: Delegates will be required to demonstrate competence in their use of the torch survey methodology, species identification and data recording.

22:00 - Tutor/delegate onsite debrief then travel to overnight accommodation (not provided).

Day 2 - 8:30am - 1:15pm

Day 2 - 8:30am - 1:15pm

Day 2 - 8:30am - 1:15pm

08:30 - Delegates and tutors to meet at the ‘Field Site’.

08:30 - 09:30 - Delegates to retrieve bottle traps & record findings Note: Delegates will be required to demonstrate competence in their use of the bottle trapping methodology, species identification, handling and data recording.

Travel to the Olive Grove Conference Centre (approx. five minute drive).

09:30 - 09:45 - Break.(tea/coffee/pastries & fruit provided).

09:45 - 10:15 - Review/discuss the HSI and the GCN survey data obtained at the ‘Field Site’.

10:15 - 10:45 - Review of the GCN survey parameters (waterbodies at 250 m or 500 m).  

10:45 - 11:15 - The GCN Impact Assessment. 

11:15 - 11:45 - The Natural England and The Nature Space Partnership GCN Risk Zones & District Level GCN licence options

11:45 - 12.15 - GCN conventional mitigation licence or non-licensed RAM (introduction to the GCN SMG 2025)

12:15 - 13:00 - Delegate Assessment (involving multiple choice answer questionnaire).

13:00 - 13:15 - Course Roundup & close.

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