Description
The Streambank Restoration Techniques (SRT) course is a comprehensive, ‘hands on’ training program where participants learn first-hand how to construct, install and maintain standard and innovative streambank restoration and bioengineering structures and techniques. In this course, participants are introduced to the best practices in streambank and lakeshore restoration, soil bioengineering and erosion control. This two-day course is very hands on, as participants will collect, store, maintain and transport cuttings to a field site, and manually construct/install up to 11 streambank restoration and/or soil bioengineering structures and techniques.
Each NRTG course includes free, lifetime admission. Enrol once – come back anytime.
The SRT course is delivered in communities throughout North America, utilizing local field sites as the ‘classroom’. Field instruction is almost exclusively field-based in realistic scenarios, where course participants learn how to perform technical skills and procedures under the direction of experienced instructors and practitioners.
Testimonials
Hi Darren, thanks for teaching such an excellent course. I look forward to incorporating what I learned into my work!
I would highly recommend this course. The instructor has a wealth of knowledge and experience that he shares. The excellent field training is going to really help me during my field work!
Thank you for an excellent course! Really practical, hands on course. I learned a lot and look forward to putting these new skills into use.
Field session was very valuable. The instructor explained each procedure step-by-step, in great detail. Excellent program!
An excellent instructor, and very good hands on training and real life examples. This course offers hands on experience and cognitive tools for new professionals, and a richer comprehension of practical approaches to restoration and naturalization.
Course content was excellent. Darren was an incredible instructor and was very effective at creating situations where these techniques would be used.
Outcomes
The 16-hour, two-day SRT course provides participants with a strong working knowledge of streambank and lakeshore site restoration and soil bioengineering techniques.
Upon successful completion, participants will be qualified and able to:
- Identify key elements of a Streambank Restoration Plan
- Assess and analyze site conditions to choose appropriate plants and methods
- Construct and/or install up to 11 standard and innovative streambank restoration techniques using plants and materials
- Isolate a project field site and implement erosion control measures
- Identify suitable bioengineering plant species
- Collect, prepare and maintain plant cuttings
- Develop and implement a site safety plan
- Implement a long-term monitoring and maintenance program
Who enrolls in SRT?
The SRT training course provides valuable training for current professionals and industry stakeholders who require a strong working knowledge and skills to rehabilitate and restore streambanks, lakeshores and hillslopes. Course participants typically include: existing environmental professionals (e.g., technicians, biologists, environmental specialists), Aboriginal stakeholders, resource workers, individuals new to the industry and environmental or natural resource graduates of related programs.
Pre-requisites
The SRT training course has no formal prerequisites.
Personal Equipment Requirements
Course participants are required to provide:
- Appropriate field work clothing (Please avoid tight-fitting jeans, bring change of clothes)
- Rain overalls/raingear/gloves
- Sturdy footwear
- Two-pound or five-pound sledgehammer (1 per participant)
- Single-hand and two-hand pruners (1 per participant)
- Spade shovel
- Bag lunch and beverage (each day)
Course Fees
Course fees will vary by course delivery location. For further information, please contact NRTG.
How do I Attend?
The SRT course is available via our website schedule, or on contract to community groups. The SRT is regularly scheduled for community-based deliveries throughout the year (providing suitable weather; unfrozen soils, no frost or snow on ground, ‘ideally’ prior to leaf budding). Interested groups or organizations can also arrange for an ‘in-house’ or contract delivery of this course. In either scenario, contact NRTG for further information.
If you would like to have this course delivered to your group or community, please consider the following:
- Contact us well in advance of your preferred course start date
- Identify and secure program funding (if applicable)
- Recruit sufficient number of course participants (most NRTG courses have minimum enrollments of 8-10 participants)
- Coordinate course participant equipment, classroom facility and contractual agreement with NRTG.
- Ideally, you are able to assist NRTG staff in identifying and securing appropriate field sites; eroding streambanks, hillslopes or lakeshores (gravel pits having sandy slopes may be suitable) in areas that will not increase sedimentation into streams or waterbodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
We offer this course beginning in March in coastal regions and May in interior regions throughout North America. Please refer to our Schedule page for course timing and locations.
This course includes a ½ day online presentation and a one-day instructor-led field practicum. The online session may be scheduled in advance of the two-day field practicum, allowing participants time to travel to the field site location.
Course participants are required to supply and bring field gloves, sturdy footwear, two or five-pound sledgehammer, single-hand and two-hand pruners, spade shovel, and bag lunch and refreshments.
These items can be rented at Canadian Tire, local gardening and hardware retailers.
NRTG will bring this course to any community or organization. To arrange a course delivery, please contact NRTG.