Seagrass Monitoring Training

Project Seagrass are running a series of citizen science training sessions across Scotland from the 9th to the 12th of April, providing community groups guidance on how to perform intertidal seagrass monitoring, in line with the approved methodology outlined in Nature Scot's Community-led Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Handbook. The Ecology Centre, as part of our work in seagrass restoration with Restoration Forth, will host one of the practical sessions. The meadow located on Burntisland Sands will serve as one of the test sites for this training programme.

Dr. Richard Unsworth, Dr. Esther Thomsen and Katy Waring all of whom work for Project Seagrass will be delivering this two-part training programme, which will provide community members expertise in planning and performing robust intertidal seagrass surveys. This event will comprise of two elements, a virtual online training session which will take place on 4th of April from 6pm - 8pm, and a practical session which will take place on Burntisland Sands on the 9th of April at 08:30am. By attending this session, you will learn from experts from within the seagrass field and develop your survey skills, which should be applicable to a wider array of intertidal habitats.

Event Details:

Event Date: 9th April 2024

Meeting location: Burntisland - Beacon Leisure Centre beach side car park

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Meeting time: 08:30am

Event Considerations:

Please note that the second part of this event will take place in the outdoors and on Burntisland's sandflat. Please be expected to be on your feet and in the elements for up to 2.5 hours during this activity. Participants will not have access to toilet facilities when we are out on the sandflats. However there are toilet facilities in the Links Park, just before the leisure centre and once the leisure centre opens (usually 10am) their facilities will be open to the public. 

Please come dressed appropriately for the conditions on the day, bearing in mind that Burntisland is usually a windy location. It is advised to come with waterproof clothing and wellie boots as we will be in and out of shallow tidal pools, which can inundate walking boots. Also to note, please bring a drink and any medication that you require.

There will be a fully qualified outdoor first aider in attendance for any medical emergencies and they will be equipped with a fully stocked first aid kid and mobile phone.

This event is open to those who have accessibility needs, the Ecology Centre's beach going wheelchair is available on request.

If this event is cancelled due to poor weather, we will get in touch with you the day before to make you aware of any changes. On rare occasions, we may be in touch on the day of the task (if there is a change in the forecast). Please keep an eye on your emails prior to the event.

Likewise, if you can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible to allow for other people to attend.