ESA Professional Development Calendar

Dates: Course #1 : February 27 – March 13, 2023

Scent detection dogs are increasingly used in conservation research to improve the frequency or probability of finding biological samples or focal organisms, including rare or cryptic species. We offer a series of three short courses (Course #1-2 online; & Course #3 field) designed to provide an appreciation for this emerging field and the science behind it, while presenting real-world examples, logistics, and considerations underscoring the potential benefits of this approach.
Course #1: Intro to Working with Conservation Canines
Ideal for students, researchers, and others new to learning theory, working dogs, and scent detection training. Using an online platform to illustrate key concepts via lectures with video clips and interactive discussions, it provides an overview of scent detection applications, animal training basics, general principles of scent detection training, and dog selection considerations.
Students will take the course largely at their own pace over a two-week period. Activities for the online course consist of pre-recorded lectures, synchronous and asynchronous mid-week discussions based on articles from the primary and secondary literature, as well as weekly real-time discussions around themed topics and applied training scenarios, and an online Q&A forum for other professional development and related training questions.

Early bird course fee: $500 professional / $400 student

Regular course fee: $550 professional / $450 student

 
DATES:
Course #1: February 27 – March 13, 2023
Course #2: March 13-27, 2023
(Field Course TBD)

Citizen Artist™ – a participatory science research platform, employs alternative research methodologies to study ecological systems change. Grounded in multimodal knowledge systems, our non-conventional methodologies, Art-Based Perceptual Ecology, empower populations who might not otherwise engage in science to get involved.

 ​6-week Online Course

TUESDAY, Feb. 28 – April 4 @ 4:00 pm  (MST)

This course—curated by Michigan State University, Forest Carbon and Climate Program— develops foundational knowledge on the relationship between climate regulation, forests, and forest carbon. In five presentations, the course covers: 1) Carbon Cycle and Storage; 2) Humans, the Global Carbon Cycle, and Terrestrial Sinks; 3) Forest Ecosystems and Carbon Storage; 4) Forest Ecosystem Carbon Pools and Fluxes; and 5) Disturbances and their Carbon Impact. Each presentation focuses on key topics and features unique learning outcomes for participants. Course content includes recorded presentations, links to online resources, and recommended reading. 

Dates: March 1 – May 31, 2023

Research and management questions often focus on obtaining robust (i.e., unbiased and precise) estimates of various demographic parameters about wildlife populations. Estimates of abundance, density, population growth, state transition rates, and vital rates can provide valuable insights into changes to population status as well as their drivers. Among the most popular and diverse approaches to estimating such parameters includes a suite of sampling and analytical methods known as capture-mark-recapture (or several similar terms). This class will focus on providing a solid foundation to using these techniques to answer a broad range of ecological and management-related questions. We emphasize asking good questions, identifying appropriate sampling methods rooted in animal behavior and ecology, and choosing the right analytical techniques. With these in mind, we will analyze example datasets using both ‘canned’ (MARK) and command-line software (R) during online lectures and practical exercises.
You have two options when enrolling in this course:
(1) Instructor support. Reach out to your instructor over a 1-month period to get help as you work through prerecorded lectures, problem sets, and your own personal work. You then have access to the course for an additional 2 months. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course material, your research, datasets from work, etc. You MUST select this option if you want to take the course for academic credit at your home institution or you would like to work with an instructor on a dataset from school or work.

Early bird course fee (ends February 1): $500 professional / $400 student

Regular course fee (after February 1): $550 professional / $450 student

(2) No instructor support. Sign up anytime over a 3-month period and learn at your own pace as you work through prerecorded lectures and problem sets. Be aware that at any time during the first month, you may upgrade to receive Instructor support.

Early bird course fee (ends February 1): $375 professional / $275 student

Regular course fee (after February 1): $400 professional / $300 student

Applications for our 2023-2024 Tropical Forest Landscapes: Conservation, Restoration & Sustainable Use online certificate program are now open!

Celebrating the program’s fifth year, we are pleased to offer this unique opportunity to connect with Yale experts and environmental professionals worldwide.

March 1, 2023 – Early notification deadline (receive your decision by March 24)
April 7, 2023 – Final application deadline

The 2022-2023 Forests + Climate Learning Exchange Series (LES), co-hosted by the Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) and the Society of American Foresters (SAF), invites academics, practitioners, policymakers, and other experts to present innovative and important research, projects, and strategies relating to forest carbon. The series aims to develop and expand forest stakeholder knowledge and perspectives on forest carbon science, management, and strategy.

The events take place the first Wednesday of each month at 3 pm Eastern. Recordings will be posted below following the event.

Citizen Artist™ – a participatory science research platform, employs alternative research methodologies to study ecological systems change. Grounded in multimodal knowledge systems, our non-conventional methodologies, Art-Based Perceptual Ecology, empower populations who might not otherwise engage in science to get involved.

 ​6-week Online Course:  THURSDAY, March 2 – April 6 @ 9:00 am  (MST)