The newly renamed Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, a
partnership between George Mason University and the Smithsonian
Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), is proud to announce their
Spring/Summer 2013 course schedule. The School is now offering more
courses than ever before, in a wide range of topics, all focused on
training in different aspects of biodiversity conservation, from
effective conservation leadership, to technical tools in statistics
and field sampling. All courses are currently either 1 or 2-week
intensive residential courses and they will now be held in a
brand-new, sustainably-built Academic Center on the grounds of SCBI
in Front Royal Virginia. Most courses can be taken either for
graduate credit or continuing education units. See our upcoming
offerings below and check out our website for more course details and pricing.
Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation
Graduate/Professional Training Courses
SPRING/SUMMER 2013
Front Royal, Virginia, USA
Visit our website (http://SMConservation.gmu.edu) or email us at
[email protected] for more details about each course, course costs,
and credits earned.
Statistics for Ecology and Conservation Biology
March 4-15, 2013
Gain in-depth knowledge of analysis techniques for cutting-edge
ecological research, employing R: classical regression models; mixed
models; generalized linear models; generalized additive models; how
to deal with the limitations of real datasets; and
conservation-specific approaches.
Estimating Animal Abundance and Occupancy (new course!)
April 1-12, 2013
The course is designed to provide a strong theoretical and analytical
background to both graduate students and professionals in distance
sampling, mark-recapture, and occupancy modeling techniques, with a
strong focus on the practical use of field data in the programs
DISTANCE, MARK and PRESENCE.
Species Monitoring & Conservation: Terrestrial Mammals
April 29-May 10, 2013
This course teaches current techniques in assessment and monitoring
of wild mammal populations, including bats. Participants learn
principles of study design; current field assessment methods; data
analysis techniques including MARK and DISTANCE software; application
of monitoring data to decision-making and population management; and
collection and preparation of museum voucher specimens.
Species Monitoring & Conservation: Reptiles (new course!)
May 13-24, 2013
This course will provide technical training in the essential aspects
of reptile conservation. In addition to providing hands-on experience
with current field monitoring techniques, participants will also
learn to analyze mark-recapture, distance sampling and occupancy
field data. The course will also include a review of reptile taxonomy
and phylogeny, and the role of captive propagation in reptile conservation.
Non-Invasive Genetic Techniques in Wildlife Conservation
June 1-7, 2013
Learn how new developments in non-invasive genetics allow biologists
and managers to answer questions in animal behavior, population
biology and population management. Course participants will work
through a directed research project, from study design through field
data collection, sampling protocols, and DNA extraction and
amplification, to analysis of microsatellite and sequence data.
Adaptive Management for Conservation Success
June 10-21, 2013
This course is taught in partnership with Foundations of Success
(FOS). Working in teams on a real conservation project, participants
practice conceptualizing projects, formulating objectives and
providing evidence of conservation results. The course builds skills
in designing and planning effective projects that provide clear
evidence of conservation impact, and in use of Miradi adaptive
management software.
