Last year we cancelled our training sessions due to COVID-19. However, we developed robust health and safety protocols and had no incidents during the field season. So for 2021, we are offering 3 field-training sessions: 2 in SW Alberta in July, and 1 in British Columbia in August.

These two-day workshops will have COVID-19 safety protocols implemented as required by each province at that time and 2021 attendance is also limited for this reason (2 instructors/8 participants per session). Participants will gain competency and a certificate issued by WPEFC demonstrating a consistent level of knowledge and technical skills required to support endangered whitebark and limber pine recovery. In addition, this training may qualify for professional development hours. AAFMP has accredited learning hours for this course as Level 2. Contact your Association or College if you have questions.

Training and field experience directed by experts is essential to be able to collect accurate data that meets the requirements of recovery; without this competency, inaccuracies lead to ineffective, costly actions and decisions with negative long-term consequences for these keystone ecosystems. Two of these sessions will be tailored to professionals providing consulting services, one will be tailored to non-profits managing one or both of these species on their lands. Whichever one you choose, you will cover material such as:

• Understanding the impacts of threats on these species and ecosystems
• Differentiating Whitebark and Limber pine in the field
• Identifying white pine blister rust and mountain pine beetle damage on five-needled pines
• Learning why rust ID is a key part of endangered species recovery
• Learning how to select plus trees in the field based on potential rust resistance
• Recording complete and accurate data in the field for trees or long-term monitoring plots
• Learning about collecting, handling, and transporting cones

Training Sessions will be held in:

Alberta – Crowsnest Pass or Porcupine Hills

• July 7/8 (consultants/professionals)
• July 21/22 (non-profits)

British Columbia – Panorama

• August 10/11 (consultants/professionals)

Registration fees:

Professional = $650 / Members $575
Non-profit = $300 / Members $250