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View All Course OfferingsJun 15th - Jun 17th, 2022
Midwest Biodiversity Institute
$775.00
Registration is Closed
Jun 16th - Jun 18th, 2021
Virtual Classroom and Various Field Sites in Central Ohio
$775.00
Registration is Closed
MBI offers Vegetation Index of Biotic Integrity (VIBI), VIBI - Floristic Quality (VIBI-FQ), and National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) Vegetation Monitoring Protocols training to prepare attendees for their field wetland assessment work.
The VIBI and VIBI-FQ are biological indices developed for Ohio wetlands. The VIBI uses the 10 attributes of wetland vegetation communities that vary most predictably with human disturbance levels and correspond with levels of ecological condition. The sum of these attributes, known as metrics, result in the VIBI score used to place wetlands in the appropriate regulatory category and define their ecological condition. The VIBI-FQ, which only uses some of the collected data, is also a great assessment tool. One benefit of using the VIBI-FQ is that it can be used for both non-wetland and wetland habitats. Both the VIBI and VIBI-FQ methods are widely used as quantifiable performance standards for mitigation wetlands.
Covid-19 Notification: Due to the recent increase in Covid-19 cases and the corresponding recommendations by the Columbus Health Department and the CDC, we are holding classroom portions of this training virtually via Zoom. Field training will still take place. However, those attending should maintain social distancing and must wear a facemask of appropriate material that completely covers your nose and mouth at all times during in-field training, regardless of vaccination status. We ask that those showing symptoms not attend. Each participant will also need to provide his/her own transporation to and from field sites to avoid unnecessary sharing of vehicles.
Our VIBI training is an intensive three-day course that will provide a thorough understanding of the development of the VIBI and VIBI-FQ and their uses. Participants will learn the principles behind the monitoring methods and then apply them in the field as they lay out sample plots and gather vegetation community data. Participants will be shown how to use the collected data to develop VIBI and VIBI-FQ scores for the wetlands sampled.
This day will provide a background on the history and development of the VIBI and VIBI-FQ. The attributes of the vegetation community that are the metrics of the VIBI and VIBI-FQ, how they are measured and scored, and why the VIBI and VIBI-FQ are such excellent tools for determining the ecological condition of wetlands will be covered. The afternoon of the first day will be spent at a local forested wetland where particpants will learn how to set up a standard sampling plot and collect the specific information needed to develop a VIBI score for a forested wetland.
Participants will visit local wetlands, set up monitoring plots, and collect all the data needed to generate VIBI and VIBI-FQ scores for the wetlands sampled. Each participant will be actively involved in establishing sample plots, sampling vegetation, recording information, and learning step by step the VIBI and VIBI-FQ protocols.
This day will include instruction on how to use the data collected in the field to calculate VIBI and VIBI-FQ scores. An Excel spreadsheet will be used to compute metric and total VIBI and VIBI-FQ scores, and the underlying mathematical procedures used to develop the metric scores will be fully explained. Any remaining questions about any aspect of the VIBI evaluation process will be discussed and answered.
It is recommended that participants have some experience in wetland plant identification and vegetation sampling. However, the instructor and often other participants have strong botany skills and will help others in the field with plant identifications. During the full day in the field the instructor will ensure that everyone fully understands the monitoring protocols and will provide insights to those less experienced with plant identifications. Therefore, it is not necessary to have advanced skills in plant taxonomy to gain significant benefit from this training.
This course will provide participants with the knowledge needed to be confident in their ability to understand and conduct VIBI and VIBI-FQ evaluations on their own. If questions arise as former participants begin conducting their own VIBI assessments, they will have gained the skills to know how and where to seek the information needed to provide those answers. Participants will receive a certificate documenting successful course completion.
* This course is certified by the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program.
Our Reviews
Joshua P.
I recently completed this course and was thoroughly impressed. The content was well-structured and directly applicable to real-world fieldwork. I left feeling genuinely confident in my ability to apply the ORAM scoring methodology in the field. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to sharpen their wetland assessment skills or those first starting out in the field.
Lindsey S
The Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) training significantly enhanced my ability to assess and document stream quality accurately and comprehensively. Mr. Rankin’s expertise, combined with his genuine scientific curiosity, created an engaging and highly effective learning environment. During the classroom portion of the training, he provided thorough explanations of each metric, including the rationale behind them and the supporting scientific data. The field component was equally valuable—evaluating streams alongside an expert and applying the concepts in real-world settings reinforced and clarified everything we had learned the previous day. The experience was both educational and enjoyable, and I look forward to future opportunities to learn from the talented team at MBI.
Anonymous
The training was great! The field portion was especially great
Allie E
Thorough, great practice and good mix of hands on vs in classroom training
Anonymous
Fantastic! The training did a great job of preparing me to identify and analyze all the various conditions that can be present in a headwater stream, and
Lisa B
MBI's PHWH course made me more comfortable and confident assessing primary headwater streams and using the HHEI to score streams.
Kristy S
The content of the course was perfect for the projects that our company completes
Rick N
Excellent, fun and educational
Nick V
I thought it was very well done and covered all ORAM caveats.
Michael R
MBI's ORAM course is extremely in-depth and provides clarity for some of the more objective assessment criteria, as well as a great experience in the field.
Mitchell M
This training directly touched on all the topics within the ORAM form with which I had questions about, and provided me with the necessary tools to more accurately score wetlands.
Hannah C
I felt the content and scope were very relevant to learning and understanding ORAM methodology.
Hannah C
I thought Brian was an excellent instructor. I do not feel there should be any changes. He gave the group may opportunities to ask questions as well as test our knowledge. Everything was very valuable for me.
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