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FGASA Level 2 Training Programme

INFORMATION PACK

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OVERVIEW: LEVEL 2 TRAINING PROGRAMME

The transition from FGASA Level 1 to becoming qualified as a Level 2 guide is an exciting one, encompassing the challenges that a Level 1 guide with the right level of experience should be able to embrace. The Down to Earth Level 2 Training Programme is designed to help guides complete this transition successfully with confidence, facilitating guides through the process step-by-step.

This step-by-step programme includes:

• Confirming FGASA membership status

• Ensuring that enough experience has been logged correctly

• Submitting FGASA Logbook

• Ensuring the correct workbooks/study matter ordered

• Theory preparation course and/or workshop, including assignments

• FGASA Level 2 examination sitting

• Level 2 Practical Assessment Preparation & Mentoriship Programme: – Explanation of exact requirements

– Workbooks reviewed for competency

– Practical knowledge testing

– Evaluation of chosen practical assignment

– Preliminary game drive assessment and feedback

– Final FGASA Level 2 Practical Assessment

– Submission of required documentation to FGASA

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Before the Level 2 process can begin, all necessary requirements are confirmed: • Needs analysis • Valid, recognised first aid certificate • FGASA-membership • Level 2 workbook & study material ordered • Logbook completed with necessary experienced

correctly recorded and submitted to FGASA • Necessary FGASA Level 2 examination fee paid +

confirmation of examination sitting • Other specific requirements, e.g. PDP Driver’s license,

DEAT Registration

PHASE 1: ADMINISTRATION & PREPARATION

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According to the initial Needs Analysis, one or more of the following steps will be necessary in working towards theoretical competence:

• Level 2 theory course - lectures on the 17 modules

• Level 2 theory assignments

• Level 2 examination preparation workshop

• Official FGASA Level 2 theory examination

PHASE 2: THEORY

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1. Pre-assessment interview with assessor 2. Complete practical elements in Level 2

workbook 3. Complete chosen elective assignment 4. Present workbook and assignment to assessor 5. Isolated modules – practical tests, e.g. slide &

sound, Plant ID 6. One/more: Preliminary game drive & feedback 7. Final FGASA Level 2 Practical Assessment – game

drive

PHASE 3: PRACTICAL

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Down to Earth Ecocentric Living , incorporating Down to Earth Nature Training, is an initiative started by Taryn Ingram-Gillson, conservationist, professional nature guide and tracking trainer, environmentalist and educator… “I love our connection with nature! From a young age I experienced this connection and love for nature, and it seemed only a natural progression that I went on to study Zoology, and nature guiding and the art of tracking thereafter. I have had the privilege of living on game reserves throughout Southern Africa for the past decade, a privilege which has allowed me to deepen my appreciation and understanding of nature. Furthermore, my time spent living in these wonderful places served as a catalyst for developing my understanding of the interconnectedness of everything on our planet, especially the human-nature relationship. My brief story starts in Harare, Zimbabwe, after which my family relocated to the city of Johannesburg in South Africa, where I completed my schooling and tertiary education graduating with an Honours degree in Zoology. Thereafter, I made the decision to move into the African bush, a decision never to be regretted! During my first few years of living in the bush on a game reserve in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, I worked as a private game lodge manager and professional nature guide, completing my nature guiding studies through FGASA, the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa. The amazing opportunity to manage a luxury houseboat operating on the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers resulted in some amazing experiences while doing this for a year, before I returned to Limpopo and began my tracking journey while guiding guests on a game reserve again. It was a natural evolution at this point to become involved with nature guide and tracking training – I worked as a trainer for the next few years in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. During this time, I continued to improve my tracking skills, particularly in Track and Sign Interpretation, becoming only the third woman in the world to achieve the CyberTracker Track and Sign Specialist qualification. After relocating to the city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, I have been consulting in the area of conservation education, community programmes and hosting private nature guide training and tracking courses on site at various game reserves. In 2013, I successfully went through the CyberTracker peer review process to become the first woman CyberTracker evaluator in the world. Through all this time, I experienced a change in my thinking approach towards the human-nature relationship, and I have started the essential journey of living as part of the global ecosystem – a truly fulfilling journey! It is my dream to continue providing nature guiding and tracking training and experiences, and to spread awareness of the ecocentric perspective on living, providing a platform to assist and exchange ideas with others who share this vision.” Taryn holds the following qualifications, endorsements and accreditations: • BSc Honours Zoology • BSc degree Biological Sciences (Majors Zoology and Botany) • FGASA Level 3 Nature Guide • FGASA-endorsed assessor • CyberTracker Level 2 Tracker • CyberTracker Track & Sign Specialist & Evaluator • CASSTHETA-accredited assessor • First Aid Level 1 • Registered tourism guide with DEAT

ABOUT THE ASSESSOR

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CONTACT DETAILS

Skype: taryngillson

Mobile: +27720369747 (RSA)

Mobile: +263778725617 (Zim)

Email: taz.gillson@gmail.com

Website: www.downtoearthtraining.wordpress.com