Course: An Introduction to the Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC)

Field Studies Council

28th November 2024
Online
£10

EcologyConservation & Wildlife


An Introduction to the Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) with Mark Duffell - Live Webinar

Our Biodiversity Shorts are a series of webinars that delve into a range of natural history topics, with live discussion and tuition from an expert tutor. All webinars will be hosted on Zoom, and they will be approximately one hour long, including time for questions from participants.

About the Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC)

The Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) is a test used to assess a candidates botanical proficiency, on a scale from 1 (beginner) to 5 (professional), with a level 6 awarded in exceptional cases.

FISCs allow an assessment of a botanist/ecologists real-world botanical skills, ranging from accuracy in identification of material using keys and other resources through to a field survey.

Conducted over a day, it consists of two lab sessions where candidates identify 30 fresh specimens from across Britain and Ireland. Following this is a field survey where you spend around two hours building a species list on an interesting local site. Your identifications are then compared to a list generated by the Gold Standard Surveyor to determine your skill level.

Many ecological consultancies and statutory agencies such as Natural England recognise FISCs as an empirical assessment of a botanist’s skill.

This webinar is an excellent introduction to FISCs for potential FISC candidates as well as those who have previously taken a FISC and wish to progress.

This webinar will cover:

  • The reasons behind the creation of FISCs, who is involved in running FISCs and where they are taken
  • What is involved in taking a FISC.
  • How to make the most of your FISC experience and ways to work towards improving you FISC levels in the future.

By the end of the webinar, learners will:

  • Understand the reasons behind the creation of the FISC.
  • Be familiar with the how to get the best results when taking a FISC.
  • Understand ways to work towards improving your FISC level in the future.

About the tutor

Mark Duffell has had a lifetime interest in plants, gaining the RHS Diploma in Horticulture and completing an MSc in Biological Recording. He now runs Arvensis Ecology, splitting his time between conducting botanical surveys and teaching botanical identification and survey techniques to undergraduate and postgraduate students, consultancies and environmental organisations.

Webinar details:

Date: 28th November 2024

Time: 7pm – 8pm

Price: £10. Booking in advance is essential.

Please refer to our website for further information and to book.

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About Field Studies Council (FSC)

Field Studies Council is a pioneering environmental education charity committed to enabling people to discover, explore, understand, and be inspired by the world around us. Established in 1943, our network of Learning Locations provide day and residential courses for all ages, from young children to retired adults, from schools and communities throughout the UK, reaching many others through our publications and community-based programmes

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