River Condition Assessment Training

Our River Condition Assessment (RCA) CPD approved training covers the field and desk study methods required to generate the River Condition inputs for calculating Net Gain for rivers, streams and canals using The Statutory Biodiversity Metric.

The 6-week CPD approved RCA training course is delivered online as a structured learning programme that combines short videos, self-led field survey with desk study practical sessions, online assessments and trainer-led interactive group conferences and one to one sessions. The online programme (including the final RCA accreditation test) is designed to be equivalent to 3-day in-person training, with in-built flexibility that allows learning activities and practical assignments to be fitted around other commitments. You can find more details of the RCA Course components and structure below.

RCA training includes access to a dedicated training workspace with RCA online tools accessed via Cartographer. Each course is limited to a maximum of 10 places and are run subject to demand (Terms & Conditions are linked below).

RCA training is CPD approved by the Royal Geographical Society. All qualified surveyors can choose to share their RCA qualification either by private link or via a Public RCA Qualifications Register where details can be shared and verified as needed.

RCA Course Fees

Fees for individuals to attend one of our regular online courses for up to 10 delegates are £500+VAT.

We also offer bespoke group bookings for up to 10 delegates for a reduced rate of £4,000+VAT.

RCA training is fully RGS-IBG CPD approved. The course makes use of Cartographer, our software platform for recording RCA data and calculating outputs. Use of Cartographer requires a subscription plan. Free and paid plans are available, and new subscriptions may be eligible for a 12 month free trial. See our help site for more information.

RCA Course Bookings

We run regular monthly online training courses aimed at individuals and small teams. You can enquire about forthcoming training course dates and availability on individuals’ courses by clicking on the link below.

We also offer private courses on demand for up to 10 attendees at a time. Get in touch if you’d like us to run a bespoke course for your team. or for any other questions:

Alternatively, join our Newsletter to hear about updates to MoRPh and new courses as soon as they’re announced:

Please note – RCA training does not cover the wider Biodiversity Metric watercourse module assessment for Rivers and Streams, canals and other watercourses. Please visit CIEEM events for information about their Introduction to Biodiversity Metric Watercourse Module for calculating Biodiversity Net Gain watercourse units.

Schedule for the 6-week Online River Condition Assessment Course

The time commitment for the self-led and interactive learning elements of the online course is equivalent to a 2-day ‘in person’ course, plus up to one extra day for your final RCA accreditation test undertaken at one of the RCA ‘calibration test survey’ sites. Please note that additional time to cover the essential field survey practical elements may need to be factored into the online training schedule, depending upon individual locations and other factors.

RCA Course components and structure:

Component 1: Weeks 1 to 4 – self led learning : online videos + local field practical + progress assessment

• Biodiversity Net Gain & River Condition Assessment Overview
• Component 1 – The MoRPh field survey
• Field trial and test of the MoRPh Survey method
• Uploading and downloading field survey data
• Joining MoRPh data to generate river condition indicators

Weeks 3 & 4 – self led learning : online videos + desk study practical + progress assessment

• Component 2 – The River Type desk study
• Desk study trial and test of the River Type method
• Joining MoRPh and River Type data to generate a Preliminary Condition Score
• Considering River Shape and connectivity

Weeks 5 & 6 – RCA trainer led learning : online videos + Live Events + progress assessment

• Component 3 – Final Condition Scores
• Trial and test of RCA baseline results and post-intervention forecasts
• 2 x 2 hr online group conference sessions
• 2 x 20 min individual 121 sessions

Weeks 6 to 12 – self led accreditation assessment

• Component 4 – Calibration Test Survey
• Baseline RCA accreditation assessment

For more information about the online course timings please get in touch.

Terms and Conditions

Modular River Survey training courses, including the River Condition Assessment course, are run by Cartographer Studios under their Training Terms.