Certificate courses
ATREE’s certificate courses are targeted at college and high school students, professionals from NGOs and governments, policy-makers, practitioners, research and advocacy groups who have keen interest in environmental conservation. The distinguishing feature of these courses is the rigorous hands-on experience they provide through practical and field sessions. This gives participants an opportunity to place their learning in practical contexts.
Introduction to Geospatial Tools for Conservation
February 14 – 26, 2011, Bengaluru
This comprehensive course in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) for environmental conservation has been designed by ATREE’s Ecoinformatics Lab and Academy for Conservation Science and Sustainability Studies. The rigorous, individualized, hands-on training course will provide participants an opportunity to learn the basic principles of Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS techniques using state-of-the art software.
The course consists of theory and lab classes, and a short field session for learning GPS tools and techniques. Course topics are: Basics of GIS/RS data structure and analysis, cartographic principles, basic principles of Remote Sensing, digital image processing, spatial data sources, GPS theory, field data collection and processing. Hands-on training will be conducted in QGIS and IDRISI software.
Application forms and more…
Last date for application is Jan 15, 2011.
Perspectives on Environment and Development: Concepts and Debates
March 9 – 16, 2011, Bengaluru
‘Perspectives on Environment and Development: Concepts and Debates’ will revisit the fundamental concepts, theories and debates in natural resource management based rural development. The topics covered will include:
Theories of development
Socio-economic approaches to the environment-development linkage, including environmental economics and political ecology, and
Related natural science concepts, particularly in forest ecology and water resources management.
The course is for individuals based in practitioner and activist organizations, policy research and advocacy groups, journalists and policy-makers who are interested in keeping abreast of conceptual advances in the area, thereby enhancing their analytical capabilities.
Application forms and more …
Last date for application is Jan 31, 2011.
Seeding Biodiversity Appreciation
August 10-23, Bengaluru
Biodiversity in itself is inspiration, is the maxim of the certificate course on conservation science and allied social sciences developed by ATREE. This course combined lectures, field visits and hands-on research projects. For ATREE, the course is an investment in next-generation environmental professionals.
This course was conducted for young professionals, graduates and post grad students. The course began with an introduction to the ‘science’ of conservation by ATREE faculty, staff and external resource personnel. The lectures focused on conservation issues at the regional level but with a global perspective. This was interspersed with interactive discussions in the first four days.
Field exposure and getting familiar with the tools of the trade took place at a tour of the Agasthyamalai field academy. Students got an overview of ATREE’s work in the region, along with field trips to the Kakachi and Kodayar wet, evergreen forests, and Mundunthurai’s dry, evergreen and deciduous forests. Read more about what the students did and some of the interesting studies they came up with in our Agasthya newsletter.
A similar course is being planned for the North-eastern region in partnership with Aaranyak at Guwahati in January 2011. This certificate course is an initiative of the Academy for Conservation Science and Sustainability Studies, and is supported by the Jamsetji Tata Trust
Vacation Training Programme
April 26 - May 15, 2010, Bengaluru
ATREE conducted bioresource course for school students, during their summer vacations, from 26 April to 15 May at ATREE, Bangalore. The objective was to introduce young minds to research areas and issues pertaining to the use and conservation of natural bioresources. Twenty one secondary school students attended the course.
Classroom sessions consisted of lectures by eminent scientists and experts from the fields of biodiversity, urban wildlife, wildlife rehabilitation, waste management, sustainable agriculture, conservation issues, water quality monitoring, sustainable living and forest products that contribute to livelihood of tribal folk. Lectures were followed by assignments and group projects.
Field trips exposed students to the applications of concepts and served as a platform for introducing them to the skills required for doing field work on bio-resources. This included visits to the Biligiri Rangaswamy Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramanagara Vulture Nesting area, Ranganthittu bird sanctuary, butterfly park in Bannerghatta National Park, and to Navadarshanam - an eco ashram.
Screening of documentaries on wildlife, conservation and livelihoods gave students global perspectives on important issues relating to environment. Visits to ‘Natural Remedies’ and ‘Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants’ provided opportunity to learn and get acquainted with institutional research.
Students were awarded certificates and prizes during the valedictory function. The National Bioresource Development Board, Department of Biotechnology sponsored the course.