Training

Marbled Murrelet Observer Training

This training program was developed by Mad River Biologists' founder Ron LeValley under the guidance of the Pacific Seabird Group's Marbled Murrelet Inland Survey Protocol. Most surveyors of Marbled Murrelets throughout California and Oregon have completed this training course and received certification from our organization. Marbled Murrelet Observer Training is strongly recommended for anyone conducting surveys by many government agencies such as California Department of Fish & Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. This four-day course is taught several times per year during the surveying season. Please see the training schedule if you are interested in attending.

Cost:
$275 per person BEFORE APRIL 16
$300 per person AFTER APRIL 16

A refresher course is available for experienced surveyors seeking re-evaluation only. Experienced surveyors are those who have participated in the full, four day training course within the last two years, have at least two years of surveying experience with 50 or more detections and 5 or more surveys during the previous year. The refresher is a 2-day course for review and evaluation. Please see the training schedule if you are interested in attending.

Cost:
$175 per person BEFORE APRIL 16
$200 per person AFTER APRIL 16

Snowy Plover Surveyor Training Session

The purpose of the workshop is to provide training to various individuals who might perform Snowy Plover surveys. Since the listing of the Snowy Plover, only those individuals covered under a Recovery Permit are authorized to enter known breeding colonies and/or to locate and monitor nests. The workshop that I conduct can be the first step towards application for a permit, or inclusion on an existing permit.

This workshop is designed in accordance with suggestions outlined in a Minimum Training Requirements Necessary For Conducting Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern Studies and Breeding Surveys established by the Ventura Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Topics covered included:

Distribution, migration, feeding habits, calls and behavior of breeding and wintering Snowy Plovers
Identification of Snowy Plovers and other common beach shorebirds
Survey techniques and protocols
The local status of Snowy Plovers
Regulatory status of Snowy Plover
Special conditions of recovery permits

The morning classroom session will include lecture and discussion, and a slide presentation. The afternoon will be spent at Clam Beach where we will review and practiced survey techniques.

The cost of this session will be $75 per participant. Advanced enrollment is required. To Enroll Click Here. The session will be limited to 15 participants, with the possibility of another session later in the season if warranted. Minimum enrollment is 5 people.

For more information, contact Ron LeValley at Mad River Biologists.