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Water Safety for Environmental Fieldwork

NRTG’s MicroCourses offer flexible, focused training designed for immediate on-the-job application. The Water Safety for Environmental Fieldwork MicroCourse provides practical safety skills for environmental work in aquatic settings, delivered in a concise, four-hour format.

Environmental professionals often work in and around water – whether conducting fish assessments in fast-moving rivers, sampling vegetation in wetlands, or operating in remote, self-supported field sites. This course equips participants to plan, execute, and demobilize projects with safety top of mind throughout every phase.

Key topics include:

  • Identifying and mitigating hazards in lentic (still water) and lotic (flowing water) systems
  • Safety planning and logistics for open water and winter/ice conditions
  • Effective use and maintenance of PPE and field equipment
  • Chemical and physical safety considerations, including toxins, cold water, and challenging terrain
  • Safe sampling practices during environmental emergencies, such as spills
  • Recommendations for further certifications based on region, water body, or vessel type (e.g., Swift Water Safety, Safe Working Near Water)

Participants will leave with a strong foundation in aquatic field safety, plus actionable guidance for advancing their training based on the unique demands of their work environment.

Course will be 4 hours long.

Instructor Profile

Dave Evans

Dave Evans is an Aquatic Specialist and Project Manager with over 25 years of experience in fisheries and aquatic resources as a technician, instructor, consultant and regulator. He has extensive experience conducting and overseeing fish habitat and inventory studies as well as environmental impact assessments in western Canada and has also completed aquatic studies in the US Pacific Northwest and northern Canada. He has provided project management, planning, and permitting expertise to numerous projects in transportation, infrastructure, oil and gas and government sectors, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best management practices while also providing practical, cost-effective solutions for clients. He is currently working on several watershed restoration plans focusing on species at risk in the east slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains including aquatic habitat restoration and monitoring, water quality improvement, fish relocation and spawning habitat enhancement.  

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