QField is currently only available on Android devices. A version for Apple is due to be released soon (their website says Spring 2021), but anyone who wants to use QField immediately, or wants to follow along with the course, will need an Android device.

Any Android tablet or smartphone is fine as long as it runs Android 5 or higher. This is most Android devices, but you can check by looking at the device settings.

The course will be aimed at beginners who have never used QGIS and/or QField before, or those who would like a refresher. The course will teach people how to set up QGIS for common types of ecological surveys, including Phase 1 habitat surveys and protected species surveys, and how to use the QField app to carry out surveys in the field.

• A morning session (approximately 10:00 – 12:30, with Q&A and comfort break)

• An afternoon session (approximately 14:00 – 16:00 with Q&A and comfort break)

Although this course is aimed at beginners to QField, a good working knowledge of IT & file management is essential.

What we will cover

The morning session will introduce participants to QGIS and QField and showcase some of the ways this software can be used for ecological surveys. Participants will learn how to set up a project in QGIS and create and format layers which will contain all types of survey data. This will include creating templates for Phase 1 habitat surveys using the JNCC mapping symbols/codes, designing and creating survey forms for species surveys, and setting up file directories for storing and exporting surveys.

The afternoon session will introduce participants to carrying out surveys in the field digitally with QField. Participants will learn how to transfer projects between QGIS and QField, how to use QField to collect different types of records, and how to sync completed surveys back to their computer. We will also look at basic ways to present your survey data in QGIS.

Course instructor - Alan Booth, Principal of Central Environmental Surveys offers a service in the fields of nature conservation and countryside management. Specialisms include the production of management plans, habitat surveys, ecological monitoring and assessment, GIS applications and biological computing/databases.

You will need:

A PC or laptop

A fully charged android tablet or smart phone

USB cable which connects your tablet/phone to the computer

A good understanding of IT & file management

Before the course you will need to: Download QField onto your tablet/smart phone, which can be downloaded from the Google Play app. More information about installing it can be found at: https://qfield.org/docs/install/index.html

Download QGIS onto your laptop/PC before the course starts (if you want to follow along with the tutorial), it can be downloaded for free at: https://qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html

Cost: £35 (inc vat & Eventbrite booking fees)

This will be hosted on Zoom. The link to join will accessible from your Eventbrite booking confirmation email and your Eventbrite reminder emails or by logging into Eventbrite.