Wetland Plant Identification Course

Fantastic introduction to wetland vegetation and ecology.
If I can do the course and identify plants afterwards, anyone can!

Greg Fletcher, Wimmera Catchment Management Authority

Damien and Elaine combined have an amazing passion and knowledge which is priceless to the rest of us.

Alexander Lee, SPIIRE Landscape Architects

This 3 day course is for anyone interested in wetland plant identification and ecology.

Day One: Grasses, Sedges and Rushes

Day 2 focusses on Aquatic Plant Identification (receive a colour field guide on Aquatic Plants)

Day 3 focusses on Mudflat Species Identification (receive a colour field guide on Mudflat Plants)

Observe the changing seasons and water depths of the stunning Reedy Lagoon, Gunbower Island over a 6 month period. Each of the 3 days will focus on a different wetland habitat (wetting and drying) and associated plant community.

COURSE DATES

Each day is 9.00am – 4.30pm:

Session 1 – Wednesdays
Day 1: Wednesday 30 October 2019
Day 2: Wednesday 4 December 2019
Day 3: Wednesday 18 March 2020

Session 2 – Thursdays
Day 1: Thursday 31 October 2019
Day 2: Thursday 5 December 2019
Day 3: Thursday 19 March 2020

COURSE CONTENT (see example session outline )


Day 1: November (Spring) Sedges, Rushes and Grasses	Day 2: February (Summer) Aquatic Plants	Day 3: April (Autumn) Mud Flat specialists

Participants will be provided with a colour wetland plant Identification field guide designed to assist with easy identification of the most common wetland plants.

At least 60% of the course will be run in the field identifying plants and discussing ecological drivers.
Practice using floral keys.
Examine different wetland vegetation zones, the plant types that grow within them and what influences them (hydrology, soil type, water chemistry etc).
Observe the same site as it transitions through the hydrological phases of; full, draw-down and drying.
Briefly relate how wetland plant ecology links to fauna, wetland connectivity, temporal variability (seasonal and annual) and nutrient cycling.

COURSE PRESENTERS

Damien Cook is one of Victoria’s leading wetland experts and SERA Restoration Excellence Award winner November 2016. Damien provides wetland expertise in the form of plant surveys, wetland condition assessments and wetland management planning for state government agencies across Victoria. Damien has been instrumental in planning and delivering some of the largest and most complex ecological restoration projects to date in Australia.

COURSE PRESENTER AND FACILITATOR

Elaine Bayes has been working as an environmental researcher, scientist and educator since 1994.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Each day is divided into: field trip using the coloured field guide to identify wetland plants and class time for presentations, discussion and practice using floral keys. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided.

COST

$800 plus GST ($880)
Student or Landcare Discount available – Please contact us

COURSE LOCATION

Treetops, Spencer’s Bridge Road (off Cohuna-Koondrook Rd), Cohuna, Victoria which is located on the banks of Gunbower Creek. Field work will be conducted at Reedy Lagoon or nearby wetland and timed to follow environmental water delivery to ensure wetland plants are at their peak.

HOW TO REGISTER

Book quick there are only 25 places available.

For alternative payment methods, or for any more information on course content or other training needs, contact us and we will reply as soon as possible.

Environmental ethics

All notes are printed on post-consumer waste paper. Printing is by Autocopy, Gisborne a not for profit disability support service.

Food for the course is mostly organic, locally gleaned, vegetarian and gluten free.

Find out more about Rakali ethical policies.

Wetland Plant Identification Course

Wetland Plant Identification Course