FY 25 - Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) Lotic Core Methods Training

Target Audience:  Anyone involved in lotic monitoring data collection, interpretation, or application, including monitoring field crews (BLM seasonal employees and career staff and current lotic AIM contractors/agreement holders), and BLM or other DOI resource specialists.  Any other interested parties must first obtain permission from the National Lotic AIM team to enroll in this course and an enrollment fee will apply. 

Objective: To ensure standard, consistent, and proficient implementation of:  

  • Spatially balanced random sample design (if applicable). 
  • All core, contingent, and covariate methods, which focus on: 
  • Biodiversity and riparian habitat quality (e.g., macroinvertebrate sampling, floodplain connectivity, bank stability and cover), 
  • Water quality (e.g., pH, connectivity, temperature), 
  • Watershed function and instream habitat quality (e.g., pool dimensions, streambed particle size, slope). 
  • Electronic data capture applications (Survey123, Field Maps). 
  • Data quality assurance and quality control procedures. 

 PREREQUISITES REQUIRED:  

  1. You must be a DOI employee, an active AIM contractor, or actively collecting AIM data through an agreement.  Please refer to the Lotic Data Management and QA & QC Protocol for more details on who should enroll and how often. 

  1. Once enrolled in the class, you must complete the mandatory pre-training material prior to attending the in-person, 6-day field training component. 

Special Requirements:  NTC must receive requests for interpreters, or other reasonable accommodations, no later than 45 days prior to the start of class. The special request form can be accessed at http://www.blm.gov/ntc/st/en/reasonable_accommodation.html. 

FY25 - Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) Terrestrial Core Methods Training

Target Audience: Anyone involved in terrestrial monitoring data collection, interpretation or application; including monitoring field crews (BLM seasonal employees and partners), BLM resource specialists, other agencies, local community members. 

Prerequisites:  You must complete the pre-work before you are able to request to attend a specific location and time for an in-person class. First you must enroll in this course to find and compete the prerequisite training.  

This class provides the framework and skills to understand the condition and trends of terrestrial resources through implementing a monitoring program which is consistent with the BLM Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Strategy. 

  1. core monitoring concepts
  2. biotic and abiotic indicators
  3. site characterization techniques
  4. quantitative data collection protocols
  5. data quality assurance and quality control
  6. data management best practices
  7. includes quantitative data collection at multiple field sites 

Objective:  

    • Measure and calculate the AIM terrestrial quantitative indicators using standard field methods 
    • Ensure monitoring data quality through calibration, electronic data capture and data management 
    • Implement monitoring in a structured and consistent manner. 

Special Requirements: Requests for interpreters or other special requirements must be received at the NTC no later than 45 days prior to the start of the class.  Form can be accessed at:  https://www.ntc.blm.gov/krc/uploads/982/Reasonable_Accommodation_Request_Form.pdf

Restoration of Sagebrush Ecosystems

Target Audience:

This course focuses on a process for restoring plant communities on arid western landscapes. topicss include landscape characterization, site characterization, treatment methods (including prescribed fire, mechanical, chemical), seeding, plan evaluation, implementation and monitoring.

Case studies are used throughout the course. The case study vegetation types are found in the Great Basin, though the course is not specific to the Great Basin. The process used in the course can be applied across all arid western wildlands.

Objectives:  Using landscape and site level characteristics, the participant will use a process to plan, implement, evaluate and maintain a restoration project.

Special Requirements: Requests for interpreters or other special requirements must be received at the NTC no later than 45 days prior to the start of the class. Form can be accessed at: https://www.ntc.blm.gov/krc/uploads/982/Reasonable_Accommodation_Request_Form.pdf NOTE: NUMBER OF SEATS AS LISTED ISN'T ACCURATE. PLEASE REGISTER IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING. Upon approval, all names will be put on a Waiting List. Notifications of selection will be sent prior to the course start date.

Keyword: 1730-60

FY 25 - Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) Riparian & Wetland Core Methods Training

Target Audience: Anyone involved in Riparian & Wetland AIM monitoring data collection, interpretation, or application, including monitoring field crews (BLM seasonal employees and current Riparian & Wetland AIM contractors/agreement holders), BLM resource specialists, and other agencies. Any other interested parties not involved in AIM data collection must first obtain permission from the national Riparian & Wetland AIM team to enroll in this course and an enrollment fee may apply, including non-government contractors and local community members. 

Prerequisites: 

1. You must be a DOI employee, an active AIM contractor, or actively collecting AIM data through an agreement.  Please refer to the Riparian & Wetland AIM Data Management Protocol for more details on who should enroll and how often. Any other interested parties not involved in AIM data collection must first obtain permission from the national Riparian & Wetland AIM team to enroll in this course and an enrollment fee may apply, including non-government contractors and local community members.
2. Once enrolled in the class, you must complete the mandatory pre-training material prior to attending the in-person, 6-day field training component.

Course Summary: Riparian & Wetland AIM monitoring data collection, interpretation, or application, including monitoring field crews (BLM seasonal employees and current Riparian & Wetland AIM contractors/agreement holders), BLM resource specialists, and other agencies. This course shows/instructs employees how to create a spatially balanced random sample design (if applicable). Instructs and assists in data collection following all Riparian & Wetland AIM core, contingent, covariate, and annual use methods, which focus on: Biodiversity, vegetation cover and composition, and habitat quality (e.g., species inventory, vegetation cover and height, woody structure), Assists in the understanding of water quality (e.g., pH, conductance, temperature, nutrients) and hummocks. Calculates annual use (e.g., stubble height, soil alteration, riparian woody species use) by wildlife and livestock. Helps understand the collection of riparian or wetland covariate data (e.g., plot classification, hydrology, photos, soil description, and disturbances). Explains and uses electronic data capture applications (Survey123 and Field Maps). Is geared toward data quality assurance and quality control procedures for field going employees.

Course Objectives: To ensure standard, consistent, and proficient implementation of: 

• Spatially balanced random sample design (if applicable). 

• Data collection following all Riparian & Wetland AIM core, contingent, covariate, and annual use methods, which focus on: o Biodiversity, vegetation cover and composition, and habitat quality (e.g., species inventory, vegetation cover and height, woody structure), o Water quality (e.g., pH, conductance, temperature, nutrients) and hummocks, o Annual use (e.g., stubble height, soil alteration, riparian woody species use), o Riparian or wetland covariate data (e.g., plot classification, hydrology, photos, soil description, and disturbances). 

• Electronic data capture applications (Survey123 and Field Maps). • Data quality assurance and quality control procedures.

Duration: 40 hours

Special Requirements: Requests for interpreters or other special requirements must be received at the NTC no later than 45 days prior to the start of the class.  Form can be accessed at:  https://www.ntc.blm.gov/krc/uploads/982/Reasonable_Accommodation_Request_Form.pdf

NPS Climate Smart Recovery for Field Coordinators (Self-Paced; eDOIU)

Course Summary: 

This course guides you through key considerations for rebuilding after natural disasters with an eye on the climate's changing patterns. You'll explore how to protect our natural and cultural heritage, grasp the impacts of climate change, and develop strategies for a resilient future. It's about collaborating to create a smarter, stronger recovery plan.

Course Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain the relationship between climate change and natural disasters and why a climate-smart approach is critical for recovery efforts.
  2. Identify major factors influencing climate change and impacts on cultural and natural resources.
  3. Describe a range of possible climate-smart recovery strategies for cultural and natural resources.
  4. Connect Department of Interior guidance and other federal resources to climate-smart recovery efforts for cultural and natural resources.
  5. Identify elements of a climate-informed recovery plan incorporating effective communication principles and scientifically valid climate change data sources.


Target Audience:
Field Coordinators