Training

The California Rapid Assessment Method for wetlands and riparian areas (CRAM) has been developed as a tool for standardized and cost-effective assessment of wetland condition. This training session will provide the skills necessary to consistently conduct accurate assessments of wetlands using CRAM, and will provide guidance on the use of CRAM for ambient and project assessment and monitoring. The session involves both classroom and field instruction, with an emphasis on the field component. To successfully complete the course, participants will be required to pass a written and a field-based proficiency examination.

Objectives

The Practitioner CRAM Training is structured as a 5-day "General CRAM Training". This 5-day course provides a broad understanding of the methodology, assumptions, and background to conduct field assessments for multiple types of wetlands. Sessions will equip practitioners with overall knowledge of how CRAM is used to assess multiple types of wetlands, and also details specific to each type. However, the field portion of each session will focus on two specific wetland types, so that practitioners gain experience in accurately and consistently conducting assessments using these two CRAM modules.

Previously trained practitioners that have attended at least 5 days of training (2 modules) are considered fully trained (meaning the equivalent of the current 5-day training). Previously trained practitioners that have attended a 3-day training are considered trained only in the module that they attended (most likely Riverine or Vernal Pools). Starting in April 2013, new practitioners will need to attend and successfully complete a 5-day format session to be considered fully trained in CRAM.

The only exception to the training structure is for Vernal Pool wetlands. This wetland type will continue to be taught as a single wetland module, separate from the 5-day general CRAM training. This is due primarily to the unique nature of the metrics in the module and the plant species found in these wetlands, which limit the time frame and locations in which the training can be offered.

Read the CRAM Training Course Prospectus

NEW! Online Training Videos

View online training videos for several CRAM wetland modules. Please note these videos are not intended as a stand-alone CRAM training. They have been developed to help refresh practitioners after having taken a break from doing CRAM assessments; to assist new trainees before or after a training; or to inform practitioners that have completed a 5-day training about how other wetland modules work.

The CRAM depressional video won the 2014 W3 Silver Award for educational training!

2022 Training Session Details

In light of continuing COVID concerns, the 2022 CRAM Training sessions will follow the modified format implemented last year. In this format, CRAM training will consist of a virtual classroom portion and an in-person, but entirely outdoors, field portion. The classroom portion will combine participants from across the state, and will be held before the field portion, up to 4-6 weeks in advance.

Classroom Portion:

• Will consist of two 5-hour meetings, scheduled one week apart
• Meetings will be held via Zoom
• Will include practice exercises for participants to gain experience in the method between the two meetings, and before the field portion begins
• Participants will have access to the full set of CRAM trainers from across the state

Field Portion:

• Each region will host their own in-person field portion
• Participants will attend four successive days
• Will include practice exercises for participants to gain experience in the method between the two meetings, and before the field portion begins
• Each regional field portion will visit a unique set of wetland types

The first (early-season) Classroom session will be held on April 21st and 28th; participants from the Richmond, Moss Landing, and Costa Mesa field portions must attend this session. A second (late season) Classroom session will be held on July 21st and 28th; participants from the South Lake Tahoe and San Diego field portions must attend this session. Separate Classroom and Field portion agendas will be emailed at least two weeks in advance.

The cost of CRAM training for these 5-day General Practitioner level trainings is $1,800 per person, paid via credit card. Participants will register based upon the field portion that they will attend. Registration opens on February 1, 2022; each regional field portion is subject to minimum and maximum enrollment. Waitlists will be created for classes that reach their maximum. See details and registration links under each location listed in the training calendar below.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to Sarah Pearce ([email protected]) with any further questions.

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