2012 Maryland Biological Stream Survey
Training and Certification [UPDATED]

UPDATE (1/20/2012):

1. Refunds of certification fees will be given to those individuals who register for benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, fish crew leader, or fish taxonomy certification, but do not pass the written test given during the MBSS training and therefore would not be certified.
2. The FIRST actual site where data will be reported can potentially be used as an audit site by someone seeking benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, fish crew leader, or fish taxonomy certification, as long as the location and scheduling for the site is also agreeable to the DNR quality control officer conducting the audit. This is potentially in place of having to sample a site where the data are not officially collected or recorded for the audit. It is important to note that, if the audit is not passed, the person will not be certified and DNR will be unable to document the quality of the data compared to data collected by a DNR crew. DNR will allow one “resample” of a site audit if the person does not pass the first field audit.

Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) stream sampling protocols are currently required by some counties and state agencies. To meet this demand, the MBSS will offer five certifications and two training opportunities during 2012. The certifications include benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, benthic macroinvertebrate laboratory processing and subsampling, fish sampling, fish crew leader, and fish taxonomy. To be certified by MBSS for benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy, a Society for Freshwater Science (formerly known as the North American Benthological Society) certification is required (http://www.nabstcp.com/). Trainings will be offered on February 22nd for benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and May 21-24 for fish sampling, fish crew leader and fish taxonomy certifications. Attendance at these trainings is a partial requirement for the three certifications. Passing field audits and written tests will also be required. Passing a laboratory audit and a written test will be required for benthic macroinvertebrate laboratory processing and subsampling certification.

Note: To be considered consistent with MBSS protocols, fish data must be collected by a field crew led by a certified crew leader. Additionally, a certified fish taxonomist must identify the fish species collected by the crew.

Note: For benthic macroinvertebrate data to be considered consistent with MBSS protocols, the benthic macroinvertebrate data must be collected by a person certified in benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, the sample must be processed by an individual who is certified in laboratory processing and subsampling, and a person who is a certified Society for Freshwater Science certified taxonomist must perform the benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy.

After successful completion of a particular certification process, certified person’s names will be listed as being certified for that aspect of MBSS data collection in a registry on the MBSS website and provided upon request. An overview of certification requirements can be found HERE, and a Frequently Asked Questions for benthic macroinvertebrate and fish certifications can be found HERE and HERE, respectively.

MBSS training

While attending MBSS training is a requirement for certain certifications as described above, the trainings will also cover additional aspects of MBSS field sampling beyond those included in each certification. Examples include crayfish, freshwater mussel, reptile, amphibian, and invasive plant taxonomy, physical habitat assessment, and frog calls. Although proficiency tests may be administered for a particular taxonomic group, participation in these additional sessions offered at MBSS training in no way constitutes certification in survey methods at this time. However, we may consider adding certification for these other aspects of MBSS sampling at a later date.

The February 22nd training will be held at Baltimore County Agriculture Center from 9:00-4:30. Please see: http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/recreation/agcentermain.html for directions and information. If the training needs to be postponed due to weather, a message will be left at this phone number 410-260-8603 after 3 PM on February 21st. The agenda for spring training can be found HERE. The 21-24 May training will be held at Frostburg State University. A preliminary agenda for summer training and testing is HERE. Because these trainings includes hands-on, in-the-stream activities, please bring waders and clothing appropriate for the weather.

If you or your staff are part of a for-profit organization and would like to register for any MBSS certifications or trainings, please click HERE for a registration form. A registration form for government agency, non-profit, and academic personnel can be found HERE. Fill out the form and send it with the appropriate fee as instructed. SPECIAL NOTE: the number of interested participants may exceed the capacity for certification or training. With that in mind, we will accept registrations on a first come, first served basis.

For certain MBSS certifications, the scheduling of field and laboratory quality control audits prior to conducting actual sampling is required. Choice of days for the field audits will be given in the order of receipt of registration materials. Please send checks payable to Maryland DNR. Sorry we cannot accept credit cards. The deadline to register for the February 22 training is COB February 15th (postmarked). The deadline to register for the May 21-24 training is May 11th (postmarked).

The training and certification activities will be more effective if all crew members have an advance understanding of protocols before the training actually occurs. We highly recommend that you review the MBSS Sampling Manual with your crew prior to training. A link to a downloadable version can be found HERE.

If you have any questions about registration or to get a receipt, please feel free to contact Joanne Alewine (410) 260-8613; jalewine@dnr.state.md.us.

If you have questions about protocols or you wish to know more about training or certification, please contact either Dan Boward (410-260-8605; dboward@dnr.state.md.us or Scott Stranko (410-260-8603; sstranko@dnr.state.md.us).