Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Full-time Diploma of Technology 7200diplt

Want to make a difference in our world?

Note: The September 2013 intake is now closed for new applications. The next intake will start accepting applications on November 15, 2013.

Please check our list of programs that may have space available or access our program database for a complete list of BCIT programs.

Become a part of Canada’s premier environmental and restoration related programs. Check out BCIT’s Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Diploma and Ecological Restoration Degree, the first of it’s kind in Canada.

BCIT invites you to join one of the most unique educational models in Canada. In the time it takes to do a typical university degree, you can get two academic credentials; a Diploma in Fish, Wildlife and Recreation (FWR) and a Bachelor's Degree in Ecological Restoration.

The two-year FWR Diploma provides you with hands-on training in managing fisheries, wildlife, and parks & recreational lands. Then, if you wish to continue, add world-class applied training to complete a Bachelor's Degree focussing on restoring the numerous damaged ecosystems that exist across British Columbia, Canada and around the world.

These programs, in partnership with the newly established Rivers Institute at BCIT, are widely renowned locally and internationally for their “field oriented” learning and applied research. The Rivers Institute plays a leadership role in the protection and restoration of rivers and provides support and mentoring to the next generation of river stewards.

Working with our many diverse partners on a wide range of applied research projects, students gain experience tackling some of the many environmental challenges facing local, regional, provincial and international communities.

Fish, Wildlife and Recreation

BCIT's Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program is for people seeking a unique educational experience and who want to make a positive difference in the world today. Since 1969, the FWR program has been preparing students for rewarding careers in the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, parks and outdoor recreation. The program is designed to give you a broad range of applied skills, experiences and knowledge. A significant amount of your time is spent outside where you will learn to identify, inventory, and monitor BC’s fish and wildlife species and the habitats they use. You will learn how parks and protected areas are established, designed and managed. Upon completion of the FWR program, you will be ready to work in the dynamic and diverse field of resource management.

 

Program Entry

Entrance requirements

  • High school graduation
  • English 12 (C) and English language proficiency
  • One of the following math requirements:
    • Principles of Mathematics 11 (C)
    • Applications of Mathematics 11 (C+)
    • Pre-Calculus 11 (C)
    • Foundations of Mathematics 11 (C+)
  • Two sciences at the grade 11 or grade 12 level with an achievement level of (C) or higher:
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Physics or Applied Physics
    • Earth Science
    • Geology
    • Recognized Resource Science 12
    • Geography
    • Forestry
  • Note: At least one of the science courses must be from Physics, Chemistry or Biology. Biology 11 is strongly preferred.

Check for acceptable equivalents or upgrading courses taught at BCIT.

Additional Requirements

  • A resume must accompany the application.
  • A one-page letter describing why you desire a career in fish, wildlife and recreation must also be included.

Relevant work or volunteer experience in natural resources strengthens an application. Due to the physical requirements of the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program, good health is required. You may be required to obtain and submit a medical clearance prior to admission to the program.

BCIT does not guarantee admission to applicants who meet the minimum requirements. The FWR program mandate is to select those applicants deemed to have the best opportunity for success.

BC provincial exams

Provincial exam marks are required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12. BCIT does not require provincial exams for Grade 12 Math and Science courses.

Apply to program

Note: The September 2013 intake is now closed for new applications. The next intake will start accepting applications on November 15, 2013.

Please check our list of programs that may have space available or access our program database for a complete list of BCIT programs.

You can check the status of your application online at any time using the Student Information System.

Scheduled intakes

September each year.

Technology entry

The Technology Entry (TE) program is a full-time, day school program which provides academic upgrading to students wishing to enrol in Computing, Engineering, Electronic and Health Sciences programs at BCIT.

The TE program provides courses in chemistry, communication, mathematics and physics that meet program prerequisites for selected programs at BCIT. The program also includes an introductory course in computer applications and a learning skills course. The program is supportive to those who require English-language training.

Application processing

November 15* of the previous year until the program fills.

Applications are considered for a specific intake.

*Or next business day

myCommunication

Within 2 to 3 weeks of applying to a program, you will be sent a letter in the mail confirming receipt of your application. The letter will identify your student number, BCIT e-mail address and instructions on how to login to your myBCIT account.

All official BCIT correspondence will be sent to your myBCIT account. Check myCommunication often during the application process and throughout your studies at BCIT.

You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within 2 to 8 weeks.

Costs & Supplies

Tuition fees

Please see the Fees, Payments and Refunds section of the website for more information on full-time tuition fees.

Books and supplies

Level 1: $970; Level 2: $357; Level 3: $600; Level 4: $600
(general estimated cost, and subject to change)

Expenses
In addition to tuition fees, books, supplies and equipment, students will incur expenses for field trips and various certification courses such as first aid. These expenses are approximately $1,100 for first year and $1,250 for second year.

Financial assistance

Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.

Courses

Program matrix

Level 1 Credits
  COMM 1145 Technical Communication 1 for RENR 4.0
  MATH 1451 Technical Mathematics for Renewable Resources 5.0
  RENR 1105 Natural Resources Measurements 1 4.0
  RENR 1111 Computer Applications 2.0
  RENR 1112 Safety Skills for Field Technologists 3.0
  RENR 1120 Introduction to Aerial Photo and Mapping 4.0
  RENR 1125 Plant Identification 4.5
  RENR 1130 Earth Science and Soils 4.5
 
Level 2 Credits
  COMM 2245 Technical Communication 2 for Renewable Resources 3.5
  MATH 2453 Statistics for Renewable Resources 5.5
  RENR 2100 Ecosystem Classification 4.5
  RENR 2102 ArcGIS for RENR 4.0
  RENR 2110 Natural Resources Measurements 2 6.0
  RENR 2111 GPS and Digital Field Data Collection 3.5
  RENR 2117 Applied Ecology in BC 4.5
  RENR 2230 Zoology 4.5
 
Level 3 Credits
  COMM 3353 Advanced Technical Communication for Fish, Wildlife and Recreation 2.0
  RENR 3190 Environmental Monitoring 3.0
  RENR 3215 Parks and Outdoor Recreation Management 1 7.0
  RENR 3220 Wildlife Ecology and Management 1 7.0
  RENR 3225 Fish Ecology and Management 1 7.0
  RENR 3230 Projects 1 FWR 7.0
 
Level 4 Credits
  COMM 4453 Public Information Techniques for Fish, Wildlife and Recreation 3.5
  RENR 2240 Environmental Law Enforcement 3.5
  RENR 4215 Parks and Outdoor Recreation Management 2 8.0
  RENR 4220 Wildlife Ecology and Management 2 8.0
  RENR 4225 Fish Ecology and Management 2 8.0
  RENR 4230 Projects 2 FWR 8.0
 
Total Credits: 139.0

Transfer credit

Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.

Program Details

Program length

Two years, full-time

Accreditation

The program is accredited at the technologist level by the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC.

Program location

Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC

Graduating & Jobs

Your skills have widened and your experience has grown. As a graduate, you are ready to work in this dynamic and diverse industry.

Job Opportunities

The job opportunities for graduates in Fish, Wildlife and Recreation are in both government agencies (local, regional, provincial and federal) and in the private sector, primarily with environmental consultants.

Graduate employment outcomes

The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2010-2012 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2009-2011 Graduates.
Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.

FWR in the Community

The Burnaby Lake System Project (BLSP) is an initiative of the Fish, Wildlife & Recreation (FWR) Program. The project was initiated in 1993 to protect, inventory, monitor and enhance the natural resources of the Brunette River Watershed. The BLSP initiates and supports a variety of community projects including riparian planting, fish and wildlife inventories, stream and terrestrial habitat mapping, monitoring and invasive species control programs, education and awareness programs and local community events.

The BLSP provides opportunities for project staff, BCIT students and volunteers to contribute to the community and gain valuable “hands-on” experience. The BLSP is supported by a community partnership that includes BCIT, the City of Burnaby, GVRD, Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, community organizations, stewardship groups and local business.

The projects listed below are initiatives of the Burnaby Lake System Project. Links currently exist for the Watershed Pledge Program and the Fish Distribution Studies in the Brunette Basin.

Watershed Pledge Program

The Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Program has actively participated in a wide range of projects over the years. Recent projects are listed below and many projects have an associated web page or report. Click on the icons below to follow links to project website.

The FWR program works with various partner groups and individuals on conservation and awareness initiatives. Students and staff all benefit from these projects as the experience, contacts and context for course material and study is provided in these projects and their respective issues and processes.

The Rivers Institute at BCIT will be a leader in the protection and restoration of waterways in British Columbia and beyond by initiating public awareness activities, conducting applied research, developing best practices in river management, and mentoring the next generation of river stewards. The Rivers Institute supports and is supported by the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation and the Ecological Restoration Degree programs at BCIT. The Rivers Institute is led by Mark Angelo, C.M., O.B.C – the inaugural Rudy North Chair in River Ecology. The Rivers Institute at BCIT is involved in a variety of projects and initatives, including:

The Heart of the Fraser initiative is focused on conserving, protecting and restoring key portions of the lower Fraser River between Hope and Mission. The plan for protection calls on government, first nations and the private sector to work together to protect this extremely valuable lowland ecosystem from unchecked development. To accomplish this goal, key private lands can be purchased for conservation purchases and governments can help to protect and manage key crown lands within the Heart of the Fraser.

Still Creek Restoration Initiative. Over the last twenty years, the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Program has been extensively involved in restoration efforts along Still Creek which flows through both the City of Vancouver and the City of Burnaby. In addition to ongoing restoration initiatives, the FWR Program has recently embarked on an extensive, state of the art monitoring program in conjunction with Burnaby which will document how this system is changing over time.

Guichon Creek Restoration & Enhancement Project. Over the past 25 years, the FWR program has been working to restore Guichon Creek which runs through the southeast corner of campus. As a result of channelization and vegetative clearing, this stream was severely damaged in the early 1960's. However, FWR staff and students have worked to restore this waterway through efforts to re-establish streamside vegetation and improve water quality. Recently, the program also undertook a major initiative to enhance instream habitat thanks to the generous support of both Blue Planet Links and Electronic Arts. As a result, Guichon Creek is fast becoming a great example of urban stream restoration. This coming spring, cutthroat trout will be released back into the creek and additional restoration projects will continue to unfold in the years ahead.

In 2002, Danny embarked on a 6 month journey through regions of Asia, Africa & Europe. His journey, Catt Trax, was an initiative to raise awareness of global sustainability issues and how one can use modern technology to communicate and raise awareness of the issues that we all face, whether we are in Canada or the heart of Africa.

And Danny's journey continues, follow him from the icy waters of Antarctica to the jungles of the Amazon and more at Catt Trax 2.

Scott Lake Northern Pike study

Faculty, Advisors & Staff

Advisory committee

  • P. Burfield, Ministry of Environment
  • B. Bawtinheimer, Ministry of Environment
  • S. Nichol, Stantec
  • S. Rogers, District of North Vancouver
  • R. Worcester, Stanley Park Ecology Society
  • D. Dobell, World Wildlife Fund, Canada - Pacific Region
  • V. Keong, Pacific Salmon Commission
  • I. Robertson, Consultant
  • H. Reddekopp, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • M. Turner, Chair , Consultant
  • M. Merkens, Merto Vancouver Regional Parks

Contact Us

Robert Gunn, Dipl T Fish, Wildlife & Recreation
Program Head, Fish, Wildlife & Recreation
604-451-6860
Robert_Gunn@bcit.ca

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Testimonial

“I credit both the BCIT Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program and it’s amazing staff with helping me to achieve my goals and get me started in what I hope to be a long career in fisheries.” Leslie Kristoff, Junior Fisheries Biologist - 2003 FWR Grad

Testimonial

“My time in the BCIT Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program was amazing. Not only do I feel prepared to go confidently into the “working world” with great skills and contacts; I do it with a group of life-long friends and great memories of the time we had in the FWR program.”
Robyn Land, White Water Rafting Guide - 2003 FWR Grad

Testimonial

“Although I have been in post secondary education for years, I have never received the same relevant education and high quality teaching that I did when attending the Fish, Wildlife & Recreation program at BCIT.” Robyn Worcester, Wildlife Technologist - 2002 FWR Grad

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spotlight

Danny Catt - Journey to Sustainability

Danny Catt, Instructor
Renewable Resources
(Fish, Wildlife and Recreation)

Join Danny on two of his adventures, Catt Trax and Catt Trax 2.