We have completed several Training Events in the last couple of months; including Georges River Environmental Education Centre, Awabakal Environmental Education Centre near Newcastle, Henley Marine Discovery Centre, South Australia and most recently; a training event on the Sapphire Coast, kindly hosted by Eurobodalla Shire Council. A total of 24 newly accredited AUSMAP Trainers have completed their training at these events.
During these training events, an overview of AUSMAP and methodology, is presented by Dr Michelle Blewitt, Program Director or Dr Scott Wilson. Participants then undertake a hands-on sampling activity at a waterway close by - either a beach, lagoon, mangroves, river or any aquatic shore that contains soft sediment.
During the Georges River EEC Training day at Chipping Norton, trainees were able to put their newly learnt skills to use. A storm from earlier in the week brought in plenty of macro and microplastics, as well as organic matter to sort. Our trainees were particularly impressive and efficient in sorting the samples, with results forming a ‘hotspot’ on our microplastic sampling map.
To become a trained AUSMAP provider, all participants complete a short practical test to ensure that they, and us, are confident of their ability to complete our AUSMAP methodology and reliably add rigorous data to our ever increasing microplastic data.
If you would like to get involved in future AUSMAP events, you can contact us here: https://www.ausmap.org/contact
Written by: Beth Vanderhaven (AUSMAP Social Media Coordinator, Volunteer), Program Director Dr Michelle Blewitt
Photos: Mel Liu
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