NRTG’s MicroCourses offer a dynamic training pathway that’s as flexible as it is enriching to build expertise. Our Plant Collection and Protocols course, spanning four hours, delivers in-depth training in an easily digestible format. It’s designed to maximize your skills for immediate application.
Upon mastering plant identification skills, students and field technicians may undertake the task of curating a plant collection to apply their knowledge within their local environment. Prior to embarking on collection expeditions, it is imperative for students and/or field technicians to acquire a comprehensive understanding of protocols associated with gathering plants, especially those that are rare, endangered, toxic, allergenic, or possess medicinal or cultural significance, particularly to Indigenous communities. Furthermore, familiarity with procedures for accessing plant data and obtaining permissions for collection from various landowners (public, private, Indigenous reserves, etc.) is essential. Once the protocols for plant collection have been established, students will be instructed in the proper techniques for subsequent stages of the collection process:
- The appropriate amount of plant material to gather
- Techniques for pressing and drying plant specimens
- Methods for labeling and documenting plant samples
Long-term preservation entails:
- Mounting specimens to herbarium standards
- Scientific labeling techniques
- Familiarization with herbarium collections
This course appeals to students across educational levels, field technicians, First Nations plant harvesters and technicians, and anyone keen on deepening their understanding of plant gathering and preservation.
Equipment needed includes materials for a simple plant press, local ecosystem field guides (optional), and collecting essentials like bags, scissors, notebooks, cameras, markers, and plant tags.
While not mandatory, completion of Plant Identification Level 1 and/or Plant Identification Level 2 is recommended as a prerequisite.
Instructor Profile
Jennifer Dyson
Jennifer has been an Ecologist for 15 years and has a strong passion for botany. She has worked for non-profits, government, consulting, and academia through her career. Her formal botanical training in species identification and specimen collection came from Cape Breton University, Western University, and the Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada. She is especially interested in restoration of terrestrial habitats and invasive species management. Jenn’s career started in Nova Scotia, transitioned to Ontario after doing a M.Sc., and has now led her to Manitoba. She has continued to educate herself and grow her skill set through courses and certifications, such as becoming an ISA Certified Arborist and completing training in wetland evaluation.
Thomas Munson
Thomas Munson holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree from University of Waterloo, and a Restoration of Natural Systems Diploma and Masters of Science degree from the University of Victoria. He is a Professional Agrologist and Certified Wildlife and Danger Tree Assessor. He worked with First Nations in the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, and Colombia, South America for much of his career. Thomas has carried out work in the botanical field via ethnobotany studies, forestry and vegetation inventory and environmental impact assessment. Thomas worked for many years as Environmental Technician for City of Victoria Parks, in ecological restoration and management of Garry oak ecosystems and their rare plant species. He has worked on long term ecological vegetation monitoring for Metro Vancouver in the unique ecosystem of Burns Bog in Delta, BC, for 18 years. He teaches an introductory course through the University of Victoria on ecological and cultural restoration, and maintains an active interest in community ecological restoration projects in the Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems of southern Vancouver Island.
Next Available Course
There are no upcoming courses for Plant Collection and Protocols at this time, please check back again in the future or view our course schedule for more options.
For inquiries on this course, please contact NRTG at: 1-877-388-2172 or info@nrtraininggroup.com
Log in below to complete the survey.