LAND ZONE TRAINING SHORT COURSE – 2015 Advanced Regional Ecosystem Land Zone Identification COURSE SUMMARY This one day land zone training course provides environmental practitioners and field personnel with valuable background knowledge and skills which will aid them in carrying out field assessments in relation to Queensland vegetation management legislation. This course is designed to follow on from the O2 Ecology introductory Regional Ecosystem (RE) training course and is intended for those seeking a more advanced understanding of land zones. The RE framework forms the basis of vegetation management and conservation planning in Queensland. RE’s are vegetation communities within a bioregion that are consistently associated with a particular combination of landform, geology and soil. Under the three-‐part RE classification hierarchy, the land is classified by bioregion, then land zone, and then vegetation and/or variations in geology/landform/soils within a land zone. Land zones are generalised categories that describe the major geologies and associated landforms and geomorphic processes. The differences between land zones result in marked differences in the function of ecosystems and their associated biodiversity. While the framework is intended to be straightforward, there are some situations which require greater scrutiny. The training session includes theory sessions, learning activities and a field traverse. Courses are delivered b y Jon Walton (Senior Soil Scientist) of O2 Environment and Engineering and Andrew Franks (Principal Botanist) of O2 Ecology. Content is based on the Regional Ecosystem framework and guidelines, and the Land Zones of Queensland (DSITIA, 2012) publication. Jon has over 15 years of land resource assessment experience, with the Queensland Government and more recently with O2. Jon is a ‘Certified Professional Soil Scientist’ (CPSS), Stage 2. Andrew is one of Queensland’s most respected botanists with over 20 years’ experience working within professional environmental consulting firms, non-‐government organisations and the Queensland Government. Andrew also delivers training packages on Regional Ecosystems and BioCondition assessment. SUMMARY Key Learning Outcomes include: Digital elevation models FIELD EXERCISE (AFTERNOON) (4hrs) -‐
Understanding land zone categories Desktop vs field identification -‐
Identification of land zones Geology, landform and soils -‐
Understanding geology -‐
Landform identification -‐
Soil classification -‐
Common problems with land zone identification Classifying land zone Desktop and field identification PRACTICAL COMPONENTS Field soil texturing -‐
PROGRAM Labile vs quartzose sandstone Identifying deeply weathered material Field landform identification OVERVIEW Land zones and RE framework OUTCOMES Land zone categories All participants will be awarded a Statement of Attendance. Geology, landform and soils Desktop Identification Field exercise to identify land zone, geology, land form and soils Knowledge gained from this one day short course will form a solid learning base for all staff involved with land zone identification. Specific elements or areas in which a participant may wish to further improve knowledge and skills can be addressed by obtaining specialised, tailored training. EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL TRAINING INCLUSIONS Construction Site Managers + Supervisors LAND ZONES AND REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM FRAMEWORK (1hr) RE framework Included in your course is the practical component, field traverse, full day’s catering, printed and bound course notes, A4 Certificate. The training is located in a central Brisbane location, with air conditioning and on-‐site parking. Land zone concept Land zone categories GEOLOGY LANDFORM AND SOILS (1hr) Geology identification Landform classification Soil description Relationship to REs DESKTOP IDENTIFICATION (1hr) RE mapping Geology mapping Soil mapping Aerial photography FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT p: 07 5448 3288 f: 07 5302 6680 e: info@o-‐2.com.au www.o-‐2.com.au PRESENTERS Jon Walton Jon is a Senior Soil Scientist with over 15 years experience in land resource assessment and planning activities within government and the private sector. He has a proven track record of undertaking high quality field assessments and providing accurate, timely technical advice to a range of clients. For much of his career, Jon was a land resource officer with the Qld Government, conducting land resource assessment projects, providing development assessment and planning advice to local and state agencies, providing training to a range of audiences, and input to development of policy and guidelines. Since joining O2, Jon has undertaken soil mapping, strategic cropping land assessments, acid sulfate soil investigations, and has provided soils training to various clients. Jon is a Certified Professional in Soil Science (CPSS), Stage 2. Andrew Franks Andrew is one of Queensland’s most respected botanists with over 20 years’ experience working within professional environmental consulting firms, non-‐government organisations and the Queensland Government. Andrew specialises in flora and vegetation surveys and delivery of ecological projects. His key skills include Regional Ecosystem verification and mapping, ecological assessments, vegetation and weed mapping, project management and developing/delivering training packages on Regional Ecosystems and BioCondition assessment. Andrew has been involved in numerous publications and presentations including co-‐authoring BioCondition: A Condition Assessment Framework for Terrestrial Biodiversity in Queensland. Assessment Manual. Version 2.1 (Eyre et al., 2011) and inputs into both the accepted vegetation mapping method of Queensland (Methodology for Survey and Mapping of Regional Ecosystems and Vegetation Communities in Queensland (Neldner et al. 2012)) and the Land Zones of Queensland (Wilson and Taylor 2012) documents. While at the herbarium, Andrew was also the bioregional coordinator for Regional Ecosystem mapping in the Brigalow Belt South bioregion. He has a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and has developed training packages as an entry level introduction to the Regional Ecosystem and BioCondition frameworks, which are common place methods used by environmental consultants, local and state government agencies, NGOs and land holders. EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL TRAINING Construction Site Managers + Supervisors COURSE DELIVERY -‐
Practical course which complements the O2 Ecology Regional Ecosystem training course. -‐
A practical approach delivered by experienced professionals who have undertaken field assessments, assessed development applications, and contributed to development of policy and guidelines. -‐
Flexible delivery structure to focus on aspects most relevant to participant needs, interest and job specific requirements. -‐
Practical demonstrations and field exercises such as soil description and landform classification to reinforce presentations. COURSE FEES -‐
Private booking (maximum group size of 10 participants) o
$3900 ex GST o
Travel expenses for presenter may be additional depending on venue location o
Host organisation to provide suitable training room and catering. Printing of course notes will attract additional fee, however an electronic copy can be provided free of charge for in-‐house printing. o
Timing of course flexible to suit group of attendees -‐
Public Course (limited to 10 participants) o
$500/person ex GST o
Fees include catering (morning tea, lunch and refreshments), venue hire, transportation and logistics associated with field component, training tools and printed course notes. EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL TRAINING Construction Site Managers + Supervisors