Help / Training

Frequently Asked Questions for DPR Ecologists (FAQ)

When will IMAP projects begin in my District/Unit?

IMAP projects have been on-going in parks for many years as needs arose and funding has allowed. Data and information about these projects is contained in each park’s Unit Data File; Unit Data Files are still under development for many parks. The NRD and SSC IMAP support teams are available to assist each District/park develop an IMAP plan for the park that determines what resources will be monitored. The IMAP support teams can also help individual parks select inventory and monitoring methods, prepare a study design, collect data, and analyze data.

How do I know what to monitor?

The ultimate goal of inventory and monitoring is to understand everything there is to know about our parks. Obviously, time and funding constraints limit the actual amount of information that can be obtained. The IMAP Planning Process describes how individual parks can determine what inventory and monitoring projects are the most critical. The IMAP support teams are available to help facilitate the IMAP planning process and implement inventory and monitoring projects.

Help Desk / Discussion Board

The NRD and SSC IMAP support teams are available to provide help to Districts and State Parks conducting IMAP projects. Please contact Roy Woodward at rwoodw@parks.ca.gov for information.

Training Opportunities

The following are inventory and monitoring-related training opportunities offered by CDPR:

The IMAP support teams will provide training on a wide variety of topics including development of study designs, field data collection methods, GIS/GPS, and data analysis as requested by Districts and parks.

Beginning in 2003 a training syllabus will be made available of training workshops that may be offered by the IMAP support teams.

Offered outside of CDPR:

Upcoming Conferences

Ecological Society of America Meetings 

Health and Safety Tips

Ecological fieldwork can be dangerous; however, all accidents are preventable, and with proper training and execution ecological field workers can conduct their tasks free from health and safety incidents. Every worker has the responsibility to look out for his or her health and safety, and address and/or report potential problems as they arise. All workers should discuss any questions or concerns with their supervisor. The NRD IMAP team strives to conduct all fieldwork free from accidents.

The following link contains a typical Health and Safety Plan used for an IMAP field project conducted on the central coast of California (Wilder Ranch State Park). It is not intended to cover every conceivable issue that might arise, but is meant to point out known potential risks of fieldwork and ways to avoid harm to our workers. Everyone is invited to contribute information or experiences that may improve this plan, particularly regarding work in other areas of the state, and the NRD IMAP team will continue updating this plan as needed.

Link to Health and Safety Plan

To contribute to the Health and Safety Plan please click here. 
 

Vegetation Mapping Primer

The link below contains a primer for persons interested in understanding or creating a vegetation map:

California State Parks Vegetation Mapping Primer

Rabies and Animal Handling

Frequently, inventory and monitoring projects bring scientists into contact with wild animals, which increases concerns for worker safety.  A document prepared by the California Department of Health Services regarding rabies control is available at:
Rabies Control Information From California Department of Health Services

Anyone handling wildlife, especially for IMAP related projects, should become familiar with this document.  It is highly recommended that anyone handling wildlife be vaccinated aganist rabies and use proper precautions at all times.

California laws and regulations regarding rabies have also been assembled by the California Department of Health Services and can be viewed at:
California Laws and Regulations Regarding Rabies