Education & Training Initiatives

Core Course
9 Steps for Scheduling SER Training Workshops
About the Education & Training Working Group
Ecological Restoration Core Course

The Ecological Restoration Core Course is intended to be an introduction to ecological restoration concepts for the general audience. It must appeal to those who do not understand ecological restoration. It must cover general questions and answers. And it must be inclusive of SER members’ experiences as much as possible, in other words, have a global perspective.

The course will be composed of 8 sections, outlined below. Each section will be written as a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation with 15-20 visuals, plus handouts, a listing of recommended readings, and a list of pertinent web sites. With additional time for discussion, the entire introductory course could be taught in a three-four hour time frame.

Nine steps for scheduling SER training courses

1. Chapter or organization contacts SER and requests training courses OR SER staff contacts Chapter or organization and suggests training courses as part of an upcoming conference agenda.
2. SER staff enters into discussions to better understand requestor needs.
3. SER staff puts out an email call to SER retained instructors and organizations SER presently has a Memorandum of Agreement with for proposals to teach requested courses.
4. Interested instructors and organizations respond back to SER staff via standard format indicating their interest in providing a workshop for the particular conference.
5. SER staff evaluates the responses with input from Working Group members if necessary, contacts those most appropriate for the requestor, and recommends particular workshops and instructors to the requestor.
6. When an agreement is reached with the requestor, SER staff prepares contracts with the requestor and the instructors.
7. Post workshop, SER staff reviews the evaluations and presents reports to the Working Group.
8. SER staff regularly evaluates omissions in curriculum and sends out needs requests to SER members via the web site to correct the omissions.
9. SER staff periodically updates the roster of SER approved and retained instructors and organizations with Working Group assistance, using the Working Group as peer reviewers.
About the Education & Training Working Group

The Education and Training Working Group provides ecological restoration education and training for SER members, professional ecological restoration practitioners, non-professional practitioners, and the general public, including children. Four categories of education and training are available: informative presentations to public organizations, pre-recorded presentations on non-technical topics, introductory workshops for non-professionals, and professional practitioner training.
Purpose: The Education and Training Working Group oversees the education and training program, serves as a peer review panel, and oversees the process of establishing certification in the field of ecological restoration, as well as explores the Society’s role in other educational initiatives.
Goals: The goals of the SER Education and Training Working Group are:
1) A comprehensive ecological restoration education and training program for SER members, professional practitioners, non-professional practitioners, and the public, including children.
2) A cadre of educators and trainers on retainer who will staff the education and training program.
3) Visibility worldwide as a leader in ecological restoration education and training.
Specific Tasks: The Education and Training Working Group ensures success by:
1) Recruiting and retaining SER members who will teach for SER;
2) Recruiting and retaining partners who will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with SER for the purpose of providing education and training opportunities;
3) Assessing and fulfilling SER Chapter needs for education and training;
4) Enabling SER education and training staff to fulfill their responsibilities;
5) Assessing the components of the education and training program annually, including reviewing curriculum offerings and their financial viability, recommending updates to current offerings, and developing and implementing strategies and opportunities for increasing the scope of workshop offerings;
6) Identifying and updating target audiences;
7) Overseeing the instruction evaluation process;
8) Developing a workplan with specific assignments and timetables; and,
9) Conducting regular Working Group meetings.
Committee Member Responsibilities:
1) Participate in the functioning of the Working Group;
2) Participate in committee meetings via e-mail and conference calls;
3) Be available for individual consultation to the Working Group chair; and,
4) Complete assigned tasks as assigned.
For more information about the Education & Training Working Group, please contact Karen Rodriguez, Chair.