In January and February 2016, the EDGE Programme delivered its sixth EDGE Conservation Tools Training Course at Gawahon Eco-park, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The course was attended by fourteen participants, eight of which were awarded EDGE Fellowships.
EDGE Conservation Tools training course 2016
Each year, as part of the EDGE Fellowship programme, ZSL runs an EDGE Conservation Tools training course, bringing together early-career conservationists from around the globe working on mammal, amphibian, bird and coral EDGE species.
Welcome to Gawahon Eco-Park, Philippines
In January 2016, eight international participants joined experts from ZSL for four action packed weeks of intensive training in the tools required to design, implement and manage successful conservation projects. This year it was based at the very beautiful Gawahon Eco-Park in the Philippines
In the classroom
Through a series of lectures, hands-on practical’s and assessments, participants were taught four core modules: the principles of conservation biology, ecological monitoring, social science surveying techniques and applied conservation action.
Nature's alarm clock
The wildlife kept a tight schedule. Early morning calls from the local reptiles ensured we were all awake nice and early!
Lights, camera, ACTION!
To practice the media training that they had been given, each participant underwent a series of interview scenarios. The interviews were played back to the group for constructive criticism and comment.
Amphibian paradise
Being surrounded by reptiles and amphibians on camp provided a lot of opportunities for the participants to gain hands on training in herpetological survey techniques.
Practical training
This involved training in species identification and disease swabbing.
All packed up and ready to go
Conservation kit ready prepped for the days practical’s in the field. Model frogs and lizards are used for training!
Small mammal surveys
Early each morning the small mammal traps, which were baited the night before, were checked for small mammals. The animals were identified and measured by the Fellows before being released back into the wild.
Fellows present their projects
Each of the course participants delivered a presentation on their projects. Poh Leem from Malaysia teaches the group about her EDGE corals.
Camera trapping
Everyone was very excited to see what images the camera traps had captured.
Filming in the forest
The EDGE Fellows are filmed hard at work.
Identifying species
The Fellows measured frogs with calipers to help identify to species level
Bird spotting
The beautiful Visayan Fantail was spotted during the early morning bird surveys
Marine camp
The first marine camp was held on Danjugan Island in the Philippines
EDGE corals in the Philippines
The marine EDGE Fellows practice their EDGE corals surveys underwater
Graduation celebrations!
All of the participants successfully completed the training course and were presented with certificates to mark their achievements. The EDGE team is now working with the course participants to support and develop their projects. If you are interested in attending the next training course and becoming an EDGE Fellow, please contact [email protected]