🌊 Become an AUSMAP Ambassador & Help Tackle Microplastic Pollution!

🔬 Want to be part of real-world science and make a difference?

Join AUSMAP’s full-day training and accreditation workshop to learn how to collect, sort, and identify microplastics in the environment. Led by Dr. Scott Wilson, AUSMAP Research Director, this hands-on experience will equip you with the skills to contribute to Australia’s leading citizen science microplastic program.

* Gain a broader environmental awareness on the issue of plastics and deeper insight into the microplastic problem

* What are microplastics? where we can find them in our local community? and how AUSMAP is helping to reduce this problem, along with your help?

* Learn about the current state of affairs across Australia and how we can manage these issues

* Gain hands-on experience by undertaking a scientific microplastic sample along a local shoreline - contributing to data collection that will be added to national microplastic database and hotspot map

* Field sampling will be followed by a practical accreditation in the afternoon session, an essential part of the official AUSMAP program - on completion, you will become an accredited AUSMAP Ambassador

* Program is directly linked to the Australian curriculum, so great for educators - resources available to trained ambassadors (PD available for trained teachers)

When: Friday 28th March @ 08:50 (meeting) for 09:00 start; finish approximately 3:30

Expert: Dr Scott Wilson (AUSMAP Research Director) and Dr Natasha Franklin (AUSMAP Science Officer)

Venue: Maroubra SLSC - 5 Marine Parade, Maroubra Beach NSW 2035

Cost: The first 20 tickets will be $10 (90% off) thanks to the support of the Randwick City Council! Get in Quick!

This is training is suited for educators & teachers, members of council, sustainability officers, retirees, community members - anyone aged 14 years and over.

A light morning tea will be provided, but please bring your own lunch or purchase close by on the day.
BYO reusable coffee cup & water bottle. Please, no single-use plastics!

LIMITED PLACES, PLEASE BOOK ASAP by 27th March 2025

Event will be photographed for media purposes.

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

What is the cost of the Training Day?

The cost of an AUSMAP Training day is usually $95, but thanks to Randwick City Council the first 20 tickets will be 90% off at $10 each. The remaining tickets will be $45.

This project is supported by Randwick City Council

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!