Essential Field Skills for Environmental Professionals

Microcredential Part-time School of Construction and the Environment

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Overview

In the environmental sector, workers need to be able to describe what they see in ecosystems, conduct themselves safely, and employ field skills that enable them to collect data for restoration and monitoring projects.

Currently, there are few places to obtain these skills. Most training programs focus on theory, and comparatively less on practice. While theory is important, our experience is there are skills gaps in students trained to work in the environmental sector. This poses a challenge for environmental consultants who need people to conduct themselves productively and safely in outdoor environments with little supervision.

This micro-credential focuses on essential field skills for environmental professionals. We developed a network of short courses each focused on one of three non-exclusive themes: identification (i.e. the ability to correctly identify and describe what one sees in an outdoor environment), safety (i.e. the ability to conduct oneself safely in outdoor, remote, forested environments), and sampling techniques (i.e. the ability to collect data for use in environmental assessment and monitoring).

The micro-credential will consist of five courses that develop the most commonly-needed skillsets for environmental professionals. Each course will be standalone, and developed and taught by subject matter experts in the field. When the students complete all five courses, they receive the micro-credential.

Entrance Requirements

This microcredential is applicable for anyone working or studying in natural sciences, ecological restoration, forestry, resource management, arboriculture, planners, stewardship outreach, and education.

Application processing

Ongoing throughout the year.

Recommended for success

Grade 10 mathematics or equivalent
English proficiency
Competency with computers and online learning
An internet connection fast and reliable enough to participate in live seminars

International applicants

This program is not available to international students. View available programs

Apply to program

Formal application to the microcredential is not required. Upon successful completion of the courses, email the program contact with your full name, student number, and mailing address to be issued a microcredential.

Scheduled Intakes

Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.

Costs & Supplies

Tuition fees

Please see the Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) Fees page for information on tuition fees and refunds.

Courses

Program matrix

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Required courses:			Credits
	XENV 1510	Introduction to Field Identification of Native Trees, Shrubs & Herbs This field-based, hands-on course is an introduction to the basics of plant identification in all seasons focused around plant species native to the BC coast. Students will build proficiency in use of field guides, scientific names, and botanical terms to describe and confirm plant identification. Students will learn to recognize native plants in forested and open habitats at low to mid-elevations. This 18-hour course includes 14 hours of hands-on skills development in the field at three different field sites in the Lower Mainland. Field labs will focus on learning to identify 40-50 native plants, including conifer and broadleaf trees, shrubs, ferns, and herbs. The remaining 4 hours will be delivered online in preparation for the field sessions. Students are required to arrange their own transportation to the field sites. This course is applicable for anyone working or studying in natural sciences, ecological restoration, forestry, resource management, arboriculture, planners, stewardship outreach and education. Anyone keen to learn about plant identification is also welcome. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.5
	XENV 1520	Introduction to Field Soil Classification and Assessment This field-based course introduces the basics in soil classification and field descriptions and assessments using the Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC) and other common techniques used in natural resource management, including forestry, arboriculture, natural areas management and ecological restoration. Students will gain hands-on experience digging soil pits, interpreting soil horizons, hand texturing, differentiating soil humous forms and analyzing the implications of their findings for various resource management applications. This 12-hour course includes 10 hours of field training with hands-on exercises at two different field sites in the Lower Mainland. The course begins with 2 hours of introduction online prior to the field days. Students are required to arrange their own transportation to the field sites. This course is applicable for anyone working or studying in natural sciences, ecological restoration, forestry, resource management, arboriculture, planners, stewardship outreach and education. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.0
	XENV 1530	Introduction to Field Identification of Freshwater and Anadromous Fishes This course introduces common freshwater and anadromous fishes that students are likely to encounter in southern coastal British Columbia. Students will learn basic fish anatomy and physiology used for identification and be introduced to field guides used to distinguish between fish species. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	0.5
	XENV 1540	Electrofishing Operator Certification Electrofishing is a technique where an electric current is used to attract and stun small fish in freshwater ecosystems for the purpose of assessing the size and diversity of fish populations. In this course, students will be trained in the safe and effective operations of electrofisher units. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.0
	XENV 4500	Introduction to Camera Trapping for Wildlife Sampling This field-based course introduces the basics of sampling and experimental design using an increasingly popular tool – the remote camera trap. Camera trapping is now sought-after experience for all professionals and is used around the world to determine wildlife population sizes and habitat associations, effects of disturbances from humans and many other facets of research and conservation. Students will gain hands-on experience setting camera traps in a variety of site conditions, classifying and standardizing real images and data, differentiating BC mammal species and discussing the implications of their findings for various resource management applications. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	2.0

Total Credits:			6.0

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Digital badge information

For information on how to obtain your course and/or microcredential digital badge, please review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

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 delivery

Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.

This program is delivered in-person, online, and through field work.

Program location

Courses may be offered at the following locations:

Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC

Online Learning

Contact Us

Giti Abouhamzeh
Program Assistant
Tel: 778-331-1392
Email: giti_abouhamzeh@bcit.ca

Questions or comments?

Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.