Environmental Field Skills Program

Description

The Environmental Field Skills Program (EFSP) provides participants with high-quality, in-demand environmental monitoring field knowledge and skills. Throughout the program, participants will develop skills in five areas: essential skills, terrestrial skills, water quality monitoring, fish and fish habitat techniques, and construction monitoring. They will also become familiar with the basic tools and techniques used in environmental fieldwork, establishing a strong foundation for advanced methods. Those successful in the program are qualified to act as environmental monitors, supporting professional biologists, engineers, hydrologists, and other environmental professionals with the monitoring and assessment of projects related to mining, hydroelectric power, oil and gas, forestry, road construction and other natural resource initiatives. These highly valued skills are in great demand by employers seeking field workers in various environmental disciplines.

Please be advised that at present, this program does not provide transferable credits recognized by accredited bodies and post-secondary institutions.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, you will be able to:  

1. Work safely in the field.  
2. Observe and record environmental field data.  
3. Apply standard field methods for environmental assessments of vegetation, fish, and wildlife.  
4. Classify soils, vegetation, wildlife, and fish.   
5. Interpret environmental field conditions.   
6. Monitor construction sites, including erosion and sediment control. 

Prerequisites

None.

Who attends?

Course participants typically include existing environmental technicians, Indigenous partners, resource workers, or individuals wishing to enter the environmental management or natural resource management sectors.     

Course Formats

NRTG offers the following formats: 

1. Live (Online): Learn with a live instructor and a group of classmates, on a set 10-week schedule, with self-paced modules to fit around your week 
2. Self-paced: Fully online, learn at your own pace, no deadlines 
3. Private Delivery: Custom, on-request training for organizations and groups 
   • In-Person: Three consecutive weeks of instructor-led training in community settings 
   • Blended: Scheduled Live (Online) instruction plus student-led field practicums 
   • Customizable content: Add specialized training that meets your needs, such as wildlife surveys, drone applications, fish habitat restoration, forestry, cultural heritage, rangeland management, land reclamation, project skills, or topics of interest to your community or organization. 

Want to arrange an in-person or blended delivery for your organization or community, or ask about customizing the content? Contact us for details. 

Live (Online) Program at a Glance 

Here’s what a typical week in the Live (Online) program looks like. 

Length	10 weeks
Format	Fully online, including self-paced modules and live sessions with an expert instructor
Weekly Time Commitment	12 hours
Live Sessions	2 live classes per week: Mondays and Thursdays, 4-6pm PT / 7-9pm ET   Missed a live session? Recorded and posted to the Learning Management System within 24 hours.  1 optional Q&A session per week: Wednesdays, 4-5pm PT / 7-8pm ET

What should I bring or supply? 

Both the Live (Online) and Self-Paced programs include hands-on field assignments conducted close to home, where you will collect field notes, data, photos, and completed field forms. You will need the following items: 

• Electronic device (computer, laptop, or tablet) with a stable Wi-Fi connection 
• Appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather 
• Pencils and a notebook for recording field notes 
• A measuring tape (the longer, the better) 
• A mobile phone to use as a camera, and for any field-specific apps required for certain exercises 

For Private Delivery, an equipment list will be provided in advance of the delivery date. 

Testimonials