About this Event
The Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) is recognised within the ecological industry as the standard tool for assessing botanical survey skills. Delivered in partnership with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI), it assesses botanical proficiency on a scale from 1 (beginner) to 5 (professional), with a level 6 awarded in exceptional cases. With no pass or fail, the FISC is open to everyone, regardless of skill level.
The FISC takes place over one day and consists of two lab sessions and a field survey. The lab sessions involve identifying 30 fresh specimens from across Britain and Ireland, while the field survey involves compiling a species list on an interesting local site over the course of a couple of hours. Your identifications are then compared against a reference list produced by a Gold Standard Surveyor to determine your skill level.
The lab sessions will take place in the morning at The Lime Tree Conference and Event Centre, with the field session taking place in the afternoon. There will be a break in the middle for lunch and travel to the field site, which is within an hour’s drive. Due to limited parking at the field site, car sharing will be encouraged and group transport may be provided.
You can usually expect to receive an email with your provisional result within 8 weeks of taking the FISC. BSBI undertakes quality assurance checks on all provisional results at the end of the season (October-November), with certificates showing final results issued in December. Provisional results may be moderated and revised during the QA process to ensure consistency across all assessments.
What to bring:
- A hand lens
- ID books – Stace: New Flora of the British Isles plus a good picture guide such as Rose: The Wild Flower Key is an appropriate combination. Poland: The Vegetative Key to the British Flora can also be a useful resource for plants not in flower
- Appropriate outdoor gear, including boots or wellies
- A clipboard/weather writer
- A packed lunch and drink
- A watch to keep track of your time
- Phones and other electronic devices will not be permitted during the tests
Important information:
- Please arrive at 10am for tea and coffee, the day will commence promptly at 10:30
- Limited parking is available at The Lime Tree Conference and Event Centre, with additional pay and display parking nearby
- Matlock Railway Station is approximately a 15 minute walk through the park
- Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Please bring your own lunch and drinks for the field session
- For more information about what to expect on the day, please see the BSBI FISC Information Booklet
- If you have any questions about arrangements for the day, please contact Lynsey at [email protected]
- Further information will be sent via email nearer the date
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Lime Tree - Conference & Event Centre, Lime Tree Road, Matlock, United Kingdom
GBP 260.00
