Description
NRTG’s Land Guardian Program (LGP) meets the increasing demand for skilled and certified guardians employed within communities, industry, non-profit organizations, or regional stakeholder groups. This five-week (200-hour) Certificate program is designed and developed by NRTG with input from industry sector representatives (e.g., oil & gas, mining, agriculture, marine, forestry, fisheries, environment, cultural heritage, linear development, and natural resources).
The LGP combines extensive applied, field-based training with realistic case study and role-playing exercises that build practical skills and a comprehensive working knowledge of technical procedures as well as analytical and critical thinking skills. An LGP graduate is then qualified to fulfill roles as a Land Guardian, Watchman, Environmental Monitor, Environmental Technician, and other land management positions.
Congratulations to Our Contest Winners!
We want to thank everyone who entered NRTG’s Land Guardian Program Free Course Giveaway contest.
With so many compelling entries, it made for a very difficult decision for our judges.
We had a tie and are now awarding TWO FREE SEATS! Our winners for the LGP April delivery goes to Alan Chavez and Kristine Harper!
Congratulations Alan and Kristine, we are so excited to help you build and advance your career in natural resources!
Thank you to everyone who entered and please stay tuned for future NRTG contests!
If you are interested in an environmental career, your pathway to success starts now! Book in for a FREE 15 minute career mentor appointment to assess next steps needed in building your career in natural resources.
Connect with Kristy today!
https://calendly.com/hellofromnrtg/15mins
Outcomes
Upon successful completion, program graduates are qualified and able to:
- Observe, record and report environmental field data
- Act as an independent monitor
- Conduct standard environmental assessments and inventories for: air, water, plants and trees, wildlife (ungulates, birds, amphibians), fish, and soil
- Conduct backpack electrofishing surveys as certified technicians
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain a wide variety of environmental field equipment and ‘tools’
- Conduct water quality and field hydrology procedures
- Identify site impact, and develop and implement site rehabilitation procedures
- Conduct erosion and sediment control measures
- Develop reports and communicate results with industry stakeholders
- Conduct best practices for environmental monitoring during construction projects
- Conduct best practices for erosion and sediment control measures
- Design and implement field monitoring programs
Course Format
The Land Guardian Program is available in two formats:
- A fully online training program that includes self-paced and ‘live’ instruction. In this format, students complete the first three weeks of a fully online, self-paced training program, followed by two weeks of fully online ‘live’ in-person instruction. In the first three weeks, students complete course content at their convenience. In the final two weeks, instructors deliver course content and theory online in short, focused presentations and assign office-based and field exercises to students who then conduct exercises on their own.
- A community-based training program with in-person instruction delivered over five consecutive weeks.
In both formats, course participants conduct extensive field training, learning important skills and procedures in a very realistic and practical setting, under the direction of experienced instructors.
Course Customization
The LGP can be customized for an organization or community based on their needs. The two LGP formats are highly customizable. As an example, students can complete the fully online, self-paced training part-time. The in-person training format can also be delivered in two, five-day blocks of training delivered at the student’s or organization’s preference. Do you have questions about timing and delivery options? Please contact us to discuss potential solutions.
NRTG can also combine an LGP delivery with any other NRTG training program. NRTG can also develop new course content upon request. The LGP also recommends several electives to complement a LGP Certificate (see below), and will assist groups with coordinating a community-based delivery of these or other training options:
- Swift Water Rescue
- Wilderness First Aid
- Off-Road Driving
- RISC Archaeology & CMT Training
- Cultural Heritage Monitor
- SVOP Operator
- ATV Certification
- Snowmobile Operators Certification
Please contact us with your ideas and needs, and we’ll work with you to design and deliver a specialized training program that meets your needs.
Potential Students
Course participants typically include existing land guardians, environmental monitors and technicians, industry stakeholders and resource workers.
Pre-requisites
None. A standard one or two-day First Aid course is required.
Personal Equipment Requirements
Course participants are required to provide their own personal protective equipment.
- Suunto PM5 Clinometer
- Waterproof Field Book
- Suitable outdoor clothing
- Bag lunch and refreshments each day
- Chest waders (with no leaks),
- Non-slip footwear,
- Hat with a brim (e.g., ball cap)
- Eslon or other 30m measuring tape
- Meter stick (1.2m wooden doweling, marked in centimeters)
NRTG can help with sourcing and identifying appropriate items.
Course Fees
Course fees will vary by course delivery location. For further information, please refer to our Course Schedule.
How do I Attend?
The Land Guardian Program is available via our website schedule, or on contract to community groups. The LGP is regularly scheduled throughout the year (providing suitable weather conditions for student field exercises). Interested groups or organizations can also arrange for an ‘in-house’ or contract delivery of this program. Contact NRTG for further information.
If you would like to have the LGP delivered to your group or community, please consider the following:
- Contact us well in advance of your preferred course start date.
- If applicable, secure program funding.
- Recruit course participants ( this course has a minimum enrollment of 10 participants).
- Coordinate course participant equipment, classroom facility and contractual agreement with NRTG.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Land Guardian Program (LGP) is offered year-round with most field training deliveries starting in February in coastal regions and March in interior regions throughout North America. Please refer to our Schedule Page for course timing and locations.
Course participants are required to provide their own personal protective equipment.
- Suunto PM5 Clinometer
- Waterproof Field Book
- Suitable outdoor clothing
- Bag lunch and refreshments each day
- Chest waders (with no leaks),
- Non-slip footwear,
- Hat with a brim (e.g., ball cap)
- Eslon or other 30m measuring tape
- Meter stick (1.2m wooden doweling, marked in centimeters)
NRTG can help with sourcing and identifying appropriate items.
You can purchase chestwaders from Canadian Tire, Cabela’s, or industry suppliers such as Dynamic Aqua Supply (Surrey, BC), IRL Supplies (Prince George, BC), Winners Edge (Lillooet, BC), Surplus Herby’s (Williams Lake, Kamloops, Vernon BC), Forestry equipment suppliers across Canada and other outdoor equipment outfitters. Chestwaders can also be purchased from any flyfishing shop across Canada.
No, there is no requirement to recertify for this program. If there is a significant pause in your environmental monitoring fieldwork (e.g., four years or more), we would recommend that you recertify with NRTG. Note: all NRTG courses include free, lifetime certification. Enrol once – come back anytime.
Absolutely! First, identify an upcoming LGP program of interest and notify NRTG well in advance of the start date. We will do our best to create a free seat for past NRTG students and coordinate your attendance during the program.