Dates: 1-5 May 2017 (excluding arrival and departure dates)

Location: NCF rainforest restoration research station, Valparai, Anamalai Hills, Tamil Nadu, India

Lead instructors: Dr T R Shankar Raman, Dr Anand Osuri and Dr Divya Mudappa

Ecological restoration of fragmented and degraded habitats can play an important role in conserving biodiversity and improving the supply of ecosystem services in human-dominated conservation landscapes. Practicing restoration requires skills and knowledge that span multiple disciplines, ranging from biogeography and plant community ecology to fostering partnerships with local communities, administrators and other stakeholders.

The week-long workshop will take place in Valparai and surrounding areas of the Anamalai Hills in the southern Western Ghats, where NCF runs a long term rainforest restoration project (website: http://ncf-india.org/projects/reviving-the-rainforest). The workshop group comprising 10 participants will attend classroom sessions on principles and theory of ecological restoration, focusing particularly on tropical plants and forests, which will be led by restoration scientists from NCF. Participants will also gain hands on training in nursery techniques, restoration planting, stakeholder engagement and scientific monitoring from NCF’s rainforest restoration staff and scientists.

The workshop is open to anyone with an interest in ecological restoration, but will be most useful for students, researchers and conservation practitioners having a Master’s degree (or equivalent work experience) in ecology, botany, forestry or any other related discipline. The course fee will be Rs. 3500 per head and will cover workshop materials, local transport, basic shared accommodation and vegetarian meals during the workshop. Participants will have to cover their own travel costs to and from Valparai.

To apply, please send an email to Anand Osuri (moanand@ncf-india.org) with “Restoration workshop application” in the subject line. Your email should contain the following two documents as attachments:

(1) a 300-400 word cover letter describing your interest in and any prior experience with restoration, and your reasons for wanting to participate in the workshop, and

(2) your CV (max. 4 pages).

For individuals who are interested to apply but face genuine financial constraints, we are offering two scholarships which cover travel costs (3-tier a/c or equivalent) and a workshop fee waiver.

Candidates wishing to be considered for this scholarship must clearly justify their need for financial support in their cover letters. Applications will be accepted till 5 PM on 10 Feb 2017, and the outcome of the selection process will be communicated to all participants by 20 Feb 2017.

Certificates will be provided on request to participants who successfully complete the workshop.