CRAM 5-day Practitioner-Level Training Session- RESCHEDULED

Note: On 3/23/26 This class has been rescheduled to October 19-23rd, 2026 (from April 20-24th) due to a low number of registrations.

This training session will provide the skills necessary to conduct accurate and repeatable assessments of wetland condition using the California Rapid Assessment Method, or CRAM. The session involves both classroom and field instruction, with an emphasis on the field component. It is a fun, fast-paced, and collaborative class that will provide a new lens for looking at stream and wetland health.

This training will be held on October 19-23rd, 2026 in Costa Mesa, CA. Your training instructors will be Rich Beck (Michael Baker International), Erik Larsen (AECOM), and Sarah Pearce (SFEI), all members of the statewide Level 2 committee of the California Wetlands Monitoring Workgroup. The field sites will include riverine and depressional wetlands in Orange County. An initial email will be sent out about 6 weeks before the session, and the agenda and further details will be sent 2 weeks before the session. Appropriate footwear (waterproof knee boots, and rugged field shoes such as hiking boots) are required.

Registration closes on October 1st. A minimum of 16 registrations are required to hold the class; a total of 24 registrations are available. If registration numbers are not met, we will work to reschedule the class or transfer your registration to another class. If the class fills, you will be placed on a waitlist. Payment is preferred using a credit card through the Humanitix platform. Please reach out to Sarah Pearce (cram-training@sfei.org) if your organization requires an invoice or payment via check.

Classroom portion: two half-days in the classroom focusing on the structure of CRAM, how to conduct assessments, the similarities and differences between wetland types, how CRAM can be used in ambient assessments or in project planning, monitoring and tracking, and how CRAM supports the WRAMP framework and monitoring and assessment within a watershed context.

Field portion: two half days and three full days visiting 8 different wetland sites. Participants will gain hands-on experience in conducting CRAM assessments, and will have ample interaction and guidance from the training instructors.

The class includes a short take-home written test and two field practicum assessments.

2026 CRAM Training 5-day Costa Mesa

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