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Each NRTG course includes free, lifetime admission. Enrol once – come back anytime.
Description
Wildlife Survey Field Methods (WSFM) is a fully online, applied three-day course that provides an introduction and overview for wildlife survey methods. Using live online instruction, demonstrations, and student-led field exercises, participants learn to conduct ground-based surveys using direct observation of individuals and measurement of animal signs such as scat and tracks.
Please be advised that at present, this program does not provide transferable credits recognized by accredited bodies and post-secondary institutions.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, you will be able to:
- Conduct ground-based wildlife survey methods.
- Interpret tracks and signs of animal presence.
- Determine the age and sex of animals.
- Work safely around mammals.
Prerequisites
Knowledge and experience with basic field tools such as map, compass and GPS is recommended.
Who attends?
Professionals beginning their careers or seeking instruction protocols, Indigenous partners, and anyone seeking a general introduction to a variety of large mammal wildlife scientific survey methods.
How do I Attend?
This course is available via our website schedule, or on contract to companies, community groups or organizations. Interested groups or organizations can also arrange for an ‘in-house’ or contract delivery of this program. For further information, please contact us.
Check our course schedule page for upcoming course deliveries.
What do I bring or supply?
For online training, provide your own computer and a stable internet connection, writing supplies for taking notes are also recommended. For the in-person course format, provide a waterproof field notebook (example), suitable all-weather boots, appropriate clothing for field work. Binoculars, GPS and compass are optional but recommended.
For further information, or for further assistance, please contact NRTG.
Course Customization
The WSFM course can be customized for an organization, company, or Indigenous community group based on their needs. For instance, this course can focus on specific animal species, regions, or time-of-year surveys (e.g., summer vs winter surveys).
Please contact us with your ideas and needs, and we’ll work with you to design and customize this course to meet specific needs.
Course Format
This course is available in two formats:
- The fully online self-paced program is available in NRTG’s feature-rich Learning Management System (LMS). The online modules allow students to learn at their own pace and convenience; and field exercises are completed independently by students in a convenient location.
- The WSFM course is three days in duration and includes a combination of online classroom theory and student-led field exercises. Each course day includes online classroom and field training with a strong emphasis on ‘hands on’ training, where participants review, learn and practice field skills under the direction of a highly qualified wildlife biologist. This course is typically delivered weekdays and may extend 8:30am to 4:30pm or longer. Custom or ‘in-house’ course deliveries to an organization or company may vary in format.
Instructor Profile
Sean Mitchell, PhD, RP Bio
Fisheries Biologist
Sean has worked in and studied the field of biology and impact assessment since 1987 and in that time has gained experience in four Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland) working on a broad array of fish and wildlife, from periphyton to mammals. Sean’s experience has ranged widely from basic fieldwork to experimental biomechanics of crustaceans; from environmental impact analyses and fisheries issues through biogeography, philosophy, and sophisticated data analyses and modelling; from forests to the ocean. Sean has been, and strives to remain, a generalist in a world of hyper specialization and fascination with technology.