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 alternatively be named as an Accredited Agent.
As the Registered Person or an Accredited Agent a delegate may lawfully undertake GCN presence/likely absence surveys and/or act as a GCN/amphibian Ecological Clerk of Works without direct personal supervision, under the terms and conditions of the relevant GCN licence.
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09:45 – Delegates arrive at the Olive Grove Conference Centre, Nantwich, Cheshire (ample 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 - 14:30 – A brief overview of the GCN terrestrial survey methodology.
14:30 - 14:45 – The critical importance of accurate survey data recording, use of risk assessments and biosecurity measures.
14:45 - 15:00 – Break (tea /coffee provided).
15:00 – 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 – 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 – 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 home or to overnight accommodation (not provided and to be arranged by delegate)
07:30 – Delegates and tutors to meet at the ‘Field Site’.
07:30 - 09:00 – Delegates to retrieve bottle traps -
Note: Delegates will be required to demonstrate competence in their use of the bottle trapping methodology, species identification and data recording.
09:00 – Travel back to the Olive Grove Conference Centre.
09:00 - 09:15 – Break. (tea/coffee/pastries provided).
09:15 - 11:00 – How to use GCN survey data.
11:00 - 11:30 – Course content re-cap.
11:30 - 11:45 – Break. (tea/coffee provided).
11:45 - 12:45 – Individual Delegate Assessments (involving a multiple choice answer questionnaire).
12:45 - 13:00 – Issue delegate course resources and detail the available ongoing delegate support via www.gcntraining.co.uk
13:15 - 13:30 - Delegate course feedback.
13:30 – Course Ends.
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