AUSMAP Training Day - Darwin

🌊 Become an AUSMAP Ambassador & Help Tackle Microplastic Pollution!
🔬 Be part of real-world science and make a difference in your community.

Join AUSMAP’s full-day training and accreditation workshop and gain the skills to become an AUSMAP Ambassador. Learn how to collect, sort and identify microplastics in the environment, contribute to a national database, and be part of the solution to one of Australia’s growing environmental issues.

What you’ll experience:

• Discover the world of microplastics: What they are, where they’re found in your local area, and why they matter.

• Understand the bigger picture: Learn about Australia’s current challenges with plastic pollution—and how AUSMAP and everyday citizens like you are taking action.

• Get hands-on: Conduct a real microplastic survey along a local shoreline and contribute valuable data to AUSMAP’s National Microplastic Database and Hotspot Map.

• Earn your AUSMAP Accreditation: Complete practical training in the afternoon session and become a certified AUSMAP Ambassador.

• Great for educators: The program links directly to the Australian Curriculum. Accredited teachers gain access to AUSMAP resources and can count the workshop as professional development (PD available).

📅 Event Details:

• When: Friday 27th June, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

• Where: Darwin Trailer Boat Club - 8 Atkins Drive, Fannie Bay 

• Cost: Free! Thanks to the ANZ Community Foundation Grant

👥 Who should attend?

Rangers, educators, students (14+), sustainability officers, council staff, community leaders, retirees, and anyone passionate about protecting our oceans.

🌱 What to bring:

• BYO reusable water bottle and coffee cup

• Lunch (or buy nearby) – light morning tea provided

• Dress for the outdoors – sampling will take place along a local shoreline

• Please no single-use plastics

📸 Please note: This event will be photographed for media purposes.

🔗 Places are limited – register by 26th June 2025!

About the AUSMAP Program

It’s hard to solve a problem you can’t see. Until recently microplastic pollution presented scientists with a crisis that was invisible to the naked eye. Now we have AUSMAP - the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project.

AUSMAP is a global first, nationwide citizen science that engages and educates the community to collect scientifically reliable data on microplastics from shorelines across the country – from coasts to catchments – to identify litter hotspots and assist in source reduction.

AUSMAP is a powerful management tool that forms the basis to develop and implement regional litter prevention strategies for stakeholders to use, and act on.  

We need to know how much is out there before we figure out what to do with it.  And we need large numbers of Australians to engage with behaviour change so we can stop any more plastic from entering our waterways and design effective mitigation strategies.

That’s why we need you in our AUSMAP collaborative citizen science project!

FAQs 

Usually $95 per person - this project is supported by the ANZ Community Foundation Grant

AUSMAP is 100% grant funded project - donations to support the ongoing development & delivery of AUSMAP are greatly appreciated. As a registered charity, all donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

What do I need to bring?
* You will be required to collect water as part of the field sampling, so please bring waterproof shoes 
* Rain jacket and/or sun protection, including hat and sunscreen
* Notebook and pen
* Reusable water bottle and coffee cup

What obligation do I have after I complete the AUSMAP Training Program?

** As you register, you will complete the AUSMAP Collaborator Agreement questions**

As a registered AUSMAP Collaborator, you need to agree to the following:

1) Where possible, complete sampling 4 times per year in a proposed location;

2) Follow our AUSMAP methodology, using our field kit & equipment, send datasheets & microplastic samples to AUSMAP for analysis;

3) Promote the AUSMAP program with your local community;

4) AUSMAP methodology, sampling, data & name cannot be used for profit; and 

5) The materials & training provided are restricted to providing education & data collection to organisations that are not gaining financially - the program can not be taught or used without prior agreement with AUSMAP (refer to Collaborator Agreement).

For more information, please contact events@ausmap.org
Look forward to seeing you!