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.
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
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!
Due to the ongoing pandemic, training in 2021 will be modified so that we can avoid in-person indoor classroom time, and enact other appropriate Covid-19 safety protocols. We are offering a single hybrid training session this year, comprising an online classroom portion (with all statewide participants attending), and separate field portions in each region. The classroom portion will be held from 10 AM to 12 PM on five Tuesdays in August (August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31). All participants from across the state will attend via Zoom. The field portion will occur in person at dates in September or October, where participants will attend four consecutive days, all entirely outdoors in the field. The class will conclude with a single 2-hour Zoom call held for each region.
The CRAM Training curriculum is transitioning to a "General CRAM Training" structure, a new 5-day format that will provide 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.
Later this summer information on Self-training and Self-testing Sites will be posted on the CRAM website. The intent of these sites is to allow practitioners to gain assessment experience in wetland types not covered in the field portion of their 5-day training. These sites will be located across the state, including multiple wetland types of varying condition. For each site, all scores, justification of those scores and supporting material will be posted.
The previous 3-day, single wetland format, with additional 2-day sessions for other wetland types is being discontinued this year. This change (requested by CRAM users) is intended to provide practitioners with a greater breadth of knowledge about CRAM and how to apply CRAM to any wetland type, while reducing the time required to be trained in applying the methodology for all wetland types.
Previously trained practitioners that have attended at least 5 days of training (2 modules) are considered fully trained (meaning the equivalent of the new 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. During 2013 only, we will offer several 2-day format trainings focusing on either the Depressional module or the Estuarine module. These 2-day trainings are an opportunity for people who have been previously trained in another module (likely Riverine) and do not wish to take the new 5-day course and be fully trained.
The only exception to this new training structure will be 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.
| Title | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 5-day General CRAM Training | Sep 27 - Sep 30, 2021 | Costa Mesa |
