Training program on River Restoration

INBO-Academy (International Network of Basin Organisations) and CIREF (Iberian Centre for River Restoration), in coordination with ECRR (European Centre for River Restoration), join their forces to propose to Basin Organizations management staff, consultants, and university students a distance training program on river restoration in Spanish:

Training program on River Restoration

The European picture of river functions and conflicts is quite variable from one country to another; as a consequence, priorities can differ. Nevertheless, under the umbrella of ECRR (European Centre for River Restoration) and CIREF (its National Centre for the Iberian Peninsula), there is a common view on RR, which should target the restoration of entire ecosystems and their processes, in which, as in undisturbed nature, dynamism is a key feature, expressed as the self-sustaining capacity of river and stream ecosystems, and their ability to respond to imposed external environmental changes (e.g. climate change). River dynamics can be used as the central process of restoration and create future trajectories of ecosystem and its self-maintained recovery.

Between 1998 and 2005, Europe suffered over 100 major damaging floods. Flood alleviation measures must be based on an integrated implementation and planning of project resulted in a better protection against floods and contributed to the natural development and/or hydrological connectivity of floodplains.

Linkages and feedbacks between hydrology, geomorphology and ecology along river corridors have provided knowledge that has influenced the way the rivers are managed today.

River restoration is an effective tool to implement EU Directive, and chiefly the Water Framework Directive; on the other hand, existing legislation gives good opportunities to implement river restoration measures.

Through this Training Program, CIREF wants to offer the possibility to improve knowledge linked to specific subjects of river restoration, in such a way that the student can join only the courses that best suit to his/her needs, avoiding those in which he/she is sufficiently trained. For that, it is offered a general program made up of short courses in which all aspects related to river restoration will be targeted, with the objective of offering the students the possibility of obtaining in a comfortable way the necessary knowledge to develop a good quality work in their jobs related to river restoration.

It is sought to give the keys to understand how to use ecological approach for reaching the Good Ecological Status or Potential of their water bodies, and to fight against floods. Students will learn directly from specialists both, the theory and the practical aspects related to river restoration, with special focus on fluvial ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula.

The program is made up of 9 courses of 4-5 sessions each that will take place on Fridays from 16:00 to 18:00 hours (Central European Time) and will be taught by professors form different universities and recognized experts on river restoration. All courses will end up on a wrap up session and round table with all lecturers to develop the discussion on most interesting matters, and answer to participant’s questions. At the end of each course, a certificate will be issued.

Online training is an excellent way to make learning easier at a lower cost, since time and money usually spent in traveling and accommodation is saved, with no decline on the quality offered. To assist the courses, students only need a computer connected to internet and a microphone. Headphones and recommendable to obtain a better sound quality. Software used in the courses is of very easy understanding and will be explained in the first session of each course.

Audience : 

River basin managers, decision makers from basin organizations or regional administrations,  private consultants that work or wish to work on river restoration, university students that wish to improve their knowledge to devote themselves to river restoration, and in general to all experts on river restoration that wish to improve their knowledge in any specific subject related to river restoration.

Language:

All courses will be taught in Spanish. Different versions of this program in other languages (English, Italian,…) are being prepared by INBO and National Centres of ECRR and will be available soon.

Places:

There are a limited number of places for each course. This number is 25 and will be allocated in registration order. Registration to one course does not give any preferential right to be admitted in other courses.

Cost and registration:

Cost of each course is 150 € (125 € for members of CIREF). Registration should be made through CIREF’s web page (www.cirefluvial.com). Once the registration is received, instructions on how to make the payment will be sent through e-mail.

Dates:

For more information on contents, lecturers, etc in each course please visit www.cirefluvial.com

Organization:

CIREF, Centro Ibérico de Restauración Fluvial

Office International de l’Eau, INBO Permanent Technical Secretary.

ECRR, European Centre for River Restoration

Contact information	Email: josu.elso@cirefluvial.com
News type	Inbrief
File link	http://cirefluvial.com/formacion.php
File link local	Online training programme.docx (application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document, 449 Kb)
Source of information	http://www.cirefluvial.com
Keyword(s)	River Restoration
Subject(s)	HYDRAULICS - HYDROLOGY , METHTODOLOGY - STATISTICS - DECISION AID , NATURAL MEDIUM , PREVENTION AND NUISANCES POLLUTION , RISKS AND CLIMATOLOGY
Geographical coverage	Spain
News date	18/08/2011
Working language(s)	ENGLISH , SPANISH