Introductory/Intermediate EPT Workshop

• Complete a baseline practical evaluation of your taxonomy skills.
• Review the key identification features of commonly encountered EPT taxa.
• Use preserved specimens to aid in advancing your taxonomy skills, and build your own reference collection of specimens.
• Perform taxonomic identification to family and genera
• Review problem specimens
  
• Assess your new skills by either taking our practical taxonomy exam and/or the NABS II Group 2 Taxonomic Certification Exam*.
  

Workshop Overview:

The workshop is limited to 8 participants. Participants will receive classroom instruction on key identification features of commonly encountered taxa collected during biomonitoring assessments however, the workshop emphasis is on lab work utilizing dissecting microscopes and aquatic keys to properly identify taxa to the family and genus level with emphasis on species occurring in North America.

Provided for your use:

• EPT specimens
• Nikon SMZ645 zoom dissecting microscopes and fiberoptic lighting sources
• Alcohol, tweezers, and specimen dishes etc.

Required text:

Merritt, R. W., K. W. Cummins, and M. B. Berg (eds). 2008. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America (4th ed.). Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co., Dubuque, IA 1158 pp (earlier editions are also acceptable)

Additional useful texts:

Stewart, K. W., and B. P. Stark. 2002. Nymphs of North American Stonefly Genera (Plecoptera), 2nd Edition. The Caddis Press, Columbus, Ohio 510 pp

Wiggins, G. B. 2000. Larvae of the North American Caddisfly Genera (Trichoptera). University of Toronto Press Inc., Toronto, Canada

You may bring your own samples and equipment. We highly recommended that you bring additional taxonomy keys if you plan to take the NABS Taxonomy Certification Examination. For a recommended list of additional keys to bring click here.

Your Instructor:

Christopher Fishel, Senior Taxonomist for WAA, is NABS-certified in East and West EPT, General Arthropods and Oligochaeta taxonomy. Chris has been identifying macroinvertebrate insects for over a decade. His passion has translated into an extensive knowledge of aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa and taxonomic keys, and a large personal reference collection of aquatic insects.

With assistance from:

J. Kelly Nolan, Director of Environmental Services and a Senior Taxonomist at WAA, is NABS-certified in Eastern and Western EPT and Chironomid taxonomy. Kelly regularly completes stream surveys and specializes in bioassessment and benthic macroinvertebrate training.

Location:

The course will be held in the conference and lab located at Watershed Assessment Associates Schenectady, NY from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm each day begining on Tuesday May 15 through Friday May 18, 2012.

Travel Information:

By Air
Albany International Airport (ALB) is approximately 10 miles south of Schenectady with service provided by several national air carriers including Southwest Airlines. All major car rental companies are available at the airport.

Cost: $875.00 for a full 4 days. This includes materials, equipment use, and coffee/snacks at breaks but not meals and accommodation.

Participants from outside the area will need to make their own arrangements for accommodation and meals. For a list local accommodations click here: http://hotel-guides.us/new-york/schenectady-ny-hotels.html and then scroll down the page. The majority of the hotels listed are within walking distance to Watershed Assessment Associates which is located at 28 Yates Street in Schenectady.

To register click here and complete the online form.

*The NABS TCE fee is $200. To register to take the NABS exam you must register at this site: http://www.nabstcp.com/NABSTCPHome/UpcomingTests/tabid/94/Default.aspx.

The workshop is limited to 8 participants. Early registration is recommended.

More questions? Contact us at info@rwaa.us or phone 518-346-0225

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