Advanced Diploma in Ecosystem Management Technology

at Fleming College - Frost Campus (Lindsay) Canada

Ecological Restoration is an emerging discipline that focuses on assisting the recovery of degraded, damaged or destroyed ecosystems.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Become a leader in the Science of Hope. Make your stand in the green revolution by helping to restore our natural environment for present and future generations.

• The collaborative Ecological Restoration program developed by Trent University and Fleming College provides a bold and innovative solution to this challenge. The program:
  • Is interdisciplinary with a foundation of science-based curriculum.
  • Is broad-based so that you will develop an understanding of the big picture - and comprehend ecological principles that can be transferred to any ecosystem and adapted to any project.
  • Was designed to improve traditional college students' access to a university degree.
  • Is integrated to combine applied learning, field skills and experience with theoretical and scientific knowledge and principles from day one.
  • Provides opportunities for field camps, field courses and a capstone course.
  • Encourages and supports students who seek out internships and international opportunities.
  • Offers a unique combination of college and university cultures - the best of both worlds.

ADVANTAGES OF THE ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION JOINT DIPLOMA/DEGREE
Through the collaboration between Trent and Fleming, faculty, teaching, field study courses, applied projects and resources are shared over the four years of the program.

• This integrated introduction to both academic cultures will prepare you for the transition from Fleming to Trent.
• The program is carefully designed so that you will truly understand the connections, relevance and fit between courses in the program of study.
• Both institutions are renowned for their environmental focus and commitment to providing support for students to achieve success.

You will begin this adventure by spending two years at Fleming College’s School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences in Lindsay. This School has a 40-year history of preparing graduates for employment in the environmental sector. Here, you will build on your science, math and communications skills while also practicing ecological restoration through field courses and project work. Please note, the Restoration Ecology overnight field camp takes place two weeks prior to start up of semester 3 and provides students with the opportunity to further develop hands-on skills in ecosystem restoration.

Your next two years will be at Trent University in Peterborough, home to one of the first environmental programs to be established in Canada. At Trent, you can choose to either build towards a specialization, or continue to balance theory and practice in a more broad-based degree program.

Since this is an innovative diploma/degree model that infuses elements of both the college and university experience throughout the four-year years, you will not obtain your college diploma at the completion of your two years at Fleming College. Instead, you will graduate at the end of four years with both your Ecological Restoration Technician college diploma and university degree in Ecological Restoration. (The distance between Fleming College's campus in Lindsay and Trent University in Peterborough is 45 kilometres, or about a 45-minute drive.)

Our School offers the only college program in Canada providing training in Drilling, and we are the only program in the world offering training in so many of the different types of drilling. Numerous sectors rely on drilling skills, so this program opens doors to huge opportunities, many employers, and options to choose which field of drilling you will focus on. Our grads are in high demand. Every year, national and international employers recruit at our on-campus job fairs, and many of our students have employment offers before they graduate.

Currently, these fields offer employment opportunities for drilling careers:

• Construction Drilling and Blasting
• Geotechnical Drilling
• Environmental Drilling
• Water Well Drilling
• Resources Drilling, including minerals and oil and gas exploration
• Horizontal Directional Drilling

In our program, you'll learn the foundational theory, techniques and methods relating to each of these types of drilling, with an emphasis on safe working practices, while you learn to operate a full range of drilling equipment hands-on.

OPTIONAL CO-OP
Students entering the program in September may apply to participate in an optional paid co-op. The deadline to apply is at the end of November, where students must submit an Application Form (including a resume) to the Co-op Office. Students must achieve a 70% (2.5 GPA) average, and pass all courses in Semester 1 in order to be enrolled in the Co-op Option. Students who are accepted will participate in a Career Preparation course, and will do their co-op between semesters 2 and 3. The Co-op Option provides the opportunity to:

• Integrate classroom learning with work-based learning
• Explore the variety of careers available in the field
• Network for future job opportunities

The Co-op Option is not available for students who begin the program in January, as they attend classes over the summer.

WHY ARE DRILLING SKILLS IN DEMAND?
People may assume that resources drilling, such as for minerals and oil and gas exploration, is the sector where most graduates find work. In fact, there are numerous types of drilling required for a variety of industries and projects, with excellent job prospects:

• Geotechnical Drilling is required before any large construction project can begin. This involves subsurface investigations to evaluate property for infrastructure development, drilling for soil samples, determining soil type and depth, and ground conditions.
• Construction Drilling includes drilling foundations and anchoring piles for bridges, roadwork, or for any large building or development.
• Environmental Drilling involves obtaining samples of soil and groundwater, to control or remediate contaminants. Sites such as fuel service stations, landfills, mining operations, or abandoned infrastructures are examined, to either monitor or to reclaim the land for other purposes.
• Drilling skills are essential for water well design, installation and monitoring.
• Horizontal Directional Drilling is used to drill underneath structures such as roadways, foundations, or other properties, or beneath lakes, rivers or streams. The goal is to create a below-ground conduit, providing a transportation solution for waterlines, electrical lines, pipelines, or fibre-optic cables, for example.
• Geothermal Drilling, to install geothermal heating or cooling systems, is another growing field.

THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO SUCCEED
Our well-rounded program provides the courses and hands-on experience you need to begin a career in this exciting and varied sector. A full 80% of the program consists of practical learning sessions - in our state-of-the-art, on-campus Parnham Training Centre, and off-campus in the field. You'll also be challenged to think on your feet and use your problem-solving skills.

• You'll work on a full range of drilling equipment in our five service bays.
• Four specially equipped classrooms/labs feature everything from a drilling simulator to hands-on drilling activities.
• Course work includes an introduction to emerging fields, such as the geothermal industry.
• You'll get industry recognition for your studies. Our grads are exempt from taking the mandatory Ontario Ministry of the Environment 10-day Water Well Constructed Course. (Ontario Regulation 903 requires successful completion of this training for new well technicians.)

WHY CHOOSE FLEMING

• Our unique program offers a rare combination of technical training, theory and hands-on experience. Due to our strong connections with the industry, and our geographical location, the program is well positioned to place graduates throughout North America and globally. Employers know our grads have a good foundation of theory and practice, as well as excellent transferrable skills to draw upon for any challenge in the workplace.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Following your first semester, you'll begin to explore specialized training in drilling. As mentioned, you'll spend most of your time in labs or field classes, putting your education to work and refining your skills. You'll also take part in field assignments in local quarries and job-related activities. Practical experience in semester four is subject to a criminal records check as required by field placement site management.

Be a part of the solution - as an Ecosystem Management Technician, you contribute to the health of ecosystems, minimizing the negative impact we have on the environment. Through careful consideration of the needs of society and the environment, you'll help governments, conservation groups, and wildlife organizations do environmentally sustainable planning for the future.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Fleming's Ecosystem Management Technician program highlights a holistic approach to the management of human activity within ecosystems. We will prepare you for an exciting career that can take you where YOU want to go, either in your home community, in a wilderness environment, or across the globe. You will study ecosystem composition, structure and function in wilderness, rural, and urban landscapes, and acquire a broad range of technical skills, as well as the flexibility to adapt to changing job requirements. Throughout this program, you will:

• Learn the principles of experimental design and research, and how to apply them to a project of your own
• Participate in the monitoring and assessment of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, conduct resource inventories and environmental sampling, and develop plans for the management of public and private landscapes
• Conduct field research in partnership with a variety of organizations and analyze data generated by this work
• Learn to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to analyze ecosystems at a variety of scales.

WHY CHOOSE FLEMING

• Ecosystem Management is on the leading edge of resource conservation in the 21st century - the future is now.
• The School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences at the Frost Campus encourages small class sizes and provides state-of-the-art technology.
• Dedicated, award-winning faculty provide a challenging and dynamic learning environment in the heart of the Kawartha Lakes region.
• While you learn about ecosystem science and the current techniques of sustainable resources management, you will also develop essential skills in communications, human relations, facilitation, problem solving, dispute resolution, and cultural awareness.
• This combination of skills and knowledge is transferrable on a global scale.

PATHWAY PROGRAM
If you do not meet the admission requirements for Ecosystem Management Technician, consider the General Arts and Science - Environmental and Natural Resource Studies Option. This pathway program may provide the requirements you need for admission while you earn credit for first semester of Ecosystem Management Technician.

The Forestry Technician career path will appeal to you if you are passionate about the outdoors, and concerned for the responsible management of forest resources.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
As a Forestry Technician, you can be a part of a close-knit community of men and women across the country who are making a difference in our environment. Fleming College's Forestry program is the largest in Canada. In this two-year program, you'll acquire the skills to work effectively in natural resources management - learning traditional forestry skills such as compassing and tree identification, plus how to work with ArcMap, GPS and other high tech software.

In an ideal combination of theory and technical hands-on experiences, your studies in the classroom will be complemented by numerous field excursions.
You'll participate in the Forestry program's unique field camp experience in Mattawa, at Samuel de Champlain Park.
In addition, you can increase your credentials (and career readiness and versatility) by taking certification courses such as forest fire fighting, first aid and CPR, tree marking and cutter certification (at a modest extra cost).

You will learn the fundamental skills you need in semesters one and two. In semester three, three of the courses are designed to mimic typical forestry career skills. You will achieve skills that include navigating large forest tracts, evaluating current stand conditions, and mapping routes. As your skills grow, you will start taking charge of your own learning. Your forestry courses will become more intensive and specialized.

You will work in teams to develop a Woodlot Conference for over 100 high school students. It's a chance to practice coaching, public speaking, planning and teamwork while teaching these students basic forestry skills. You will also work with the local woodlot group to deliver their annual conference and attend the largest forestry conference in Ontario.

Optional Co-op
Students entering the program in September may apply to participate in an optional paid co-op. The deadline to apply is at the end of November, where students must submit an Application Form (including a resume) to the Co-op Office. Students must achieve a 70% (2.5 GPA) average, and pass all courses in Semester 1 in order to be enrolled in the Co-op Option. Students who are accepted will participate in a Career Preparation course, and will do their co-op between semesters 2 and 3. The Co-op Option provides the opportunity to:

• Integrate classroom learning with work-based learning
• Explore the variety of careers available in the field
• Network for future job opportunities

The Co-op Option is not available for students who begin the program in January, as they attend classes over the summer.

Contribute to healthy, inclusive, and sustainable communities through environmental land management and planning. This is the only post-grad program of its kind in Ontario.

Program Highlights
Our graduate certificate will turn your passion for creating more liveable, sustainable communities into a career in Canada’s environmental sector.

Throughout this intense program you will gain:

• Expertise in supporting the planning development of lands according to municipal, provincial and federal legislation and industry standards/procedures
• Practical experience in conducting environmental assessments and environmental impact studies
• Knowledge of industry standards for collection and analysis of water and soil samples in the field to aid in the study and modelling of environmental problems
• The ability to present spatial information using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications
• Project management skills as well as negotiation, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills to achieve goals within land use development projects and associated plans

This high demand skill set will prepare graduates for a wide variety of settings in the public, private or non-profit sectors. This program is specifically designed to support students transitioning into the Canadian environment.

The Advanced Water Systems Operation and Management program will prepare graduates to work in water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater treatment, related work in industry, as well as inspection or enforcement.

Program Highlights
The operation and management of water and wastewater treatment systems to safeguard against water-borne diseases, and ensure a healthy environment in an efficient and sustainable manner are paramount in both public and private sector industries. The provision of potable water and the effective treatment of the municipal and industrial wastewater streams are growing fields in the environmental sector. The Ontario government has passed into law rigorous training requirements for water and wastewater treatment operators, in response to recommendations made in the Walkerton Commission of Inquiry reports. Under the Safe Water Drinking Act, operators require training and certification to run these systems safely. This one-year Graduate Certificate program in Advanced Water Systems Operations and Management will provide you with:

• The opportunity to do real, hands-on manipulation of equipment and data collection, learning about water systems operation in our labs and wet-work facilities.
• Faculty expertise to guide you in understanding government regulations on the treatment of water and wastewater in this highly regulated and changing industry.
• The knowledge needed to pass the Ministry of Environment Licensing and Certification exams for Water and Wastewater Operators.
• Project management skills, essential to your success in this field.
• Critical thinking and troubleshooting skills required to respond to emergency or non-routine situations as an operator or supervisor in this challenging field.
• Health and Safety knowledge and awareness training to assist graduates in a safe working career and progression into management roles.
• The knowledge and practical expertise to assist and lead organizations and government agencies in the provision of drinking water and the treatment of wastewater.

The General Arts and Science – Environmental and Natural Resource Studies Option is designed specifically to prepare students for entry into one of our School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences diploma programs.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Upon successful completion of this two-semester certificate program, you will receive credit for all Common First Semester courses and entrance directly into semester 2* of one of the following programs in the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences:

• Ecosystem Management Technician
• Environmental Technician
• Fish and Wildlife Technician
• Forestry Technician
• Resources Drilling and Blasting

You will also be eligible for entry to semester 1 of the Urban Forestry Technician Co-op program.
Discover your options while you discover nature. Explore the campus. Learn hands-on ecosystem skills and the wider world of ecology and the environment to prepare you for your environmental or natural resources sciences diploma program. Belong to a field crew in a camp setting while you learn outdoor skills. Prepare yourself with courses in math or chemistry. Study computing and communications, to build skills set for a successful future. The program will enable you to:

• Discover and explore the programs and related career fields within the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences
• Get to know yourself better and make an informed choice about your career path
• Learn more about the natural world we live in
• Develop field skills and improve your academic and vocational skills
• Gain confidence and a head start on your college diploma program 

TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions

The two-semester Blasting Techniques Ontario College Certificate is the only program of its kind in Canada. This is a highly practical, hands-on program, in a rapidly growing industry.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Fascinated by the explosives industry? Do you like to work outdoors, and in challenging environments? If so, you may be interested in exploring a career as a blaster. With our well-developed connections with industry and our specialized resources and drilling compound, students get the hands-on training necessary for their career in blasting.

• Blasters fill blast holes with explosives and detonate them to dislodge coal, ore, rock, or aggregate, or to demolish structures.
• Blasters are employed by construction, mining, and drilling and blasting companies, as well as in the special effects industry.
• You will focus on three types of explosive cuts, and incorporate a wide range of skills in science, mathematics, and communications.
• Courses include explosives, blasthole drilling, blasting theory, blast design, geology, safety and accident prevention, and environmental issues.

You will spend much of your time in labs, field classes and field assignments, and refining your skills in our state-of-the-art drilling and blasting training centre.

WHY CHOOSE FLEMING

• Fleming's Blasting Techniques certificate has several advantages upon completion:
• You will have common core training as a Surface Miner as required by the Ministry of Labour to enter most blasting sites.
• Upon graduation, you will have the option of certifying with the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) in Quarrying, Basic Construction Blasting, and the Fundamentals of Blasting (Level One).
• Another option upon graduation is to expand your career and job opportunities by continuing at Fleming College in the Resources Drilling Technician diploma program, with direct entry into the program's second semester (subject to availability).

The Ecosystem Management Technology program builds on the expertise developed from the two year Technician program. You will also gain applied experience while working with community and resource agencies that are dedicated to long term ecosystem health.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The third year of Fleming's Ecosystem Management Technology program begins with a mandatory four-day field camp in a remote wilderness setting. This experience offers both personal challenge and the opportunity to build effective working relationships with your classmates - essential preparation for the year ahead.

If you are looking for a challenge, are passionate about the environment and want to be a leader, then this program is for you.
Students participate in the unique placement program - Credit for Product - spending one day per week working with a team on a project for an external agency.
Students in the Ecosystem Management Technology program also host an annual EcoHealth conference. The class invites the public, local area residents, community groups and businesses to attend, participate and learn.
If you are interested in continuing your education once you complete the Ecosystem Management Technology program, the university transfer agreements in place with a number of universities are first rate. Alternatively, if you are a university student looking for a program to complement your degree and provide you with a more applied approach to learning, then this program will meet your needs.
Students will attend the Annual National Council for Science and the Environment Conference in Washington D.C. A current passport for this activity is required.

WHY CHOOSE FLEMING

• The Ecosystem Management Technologist program is the only one of its kind at an Ontario community college.
• As a discipline, Ecosystem Management is on the leading edge of resource conservation in the 21st century - the future is now.
• The School of Environmental and Natural Resources Sciences at the Frost Campus encourages small class sizes and access to state-of-the-art technology.
• Dedicated, award-winning faculty provide a challenging and dynamic learning environment in the heart of the Kawartha Lakes region.
• Our transfer agreements with universities enable graduates to further their studies and obtain a degree.
• Program graduates are eligible to apply for a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree at Trent or York University and complete it with an additional two years of study at these partner institutions (this would normally take seven years to complete instead of five).
• An agreement with Cape Breton University enables program graduates to obtain their Bachelor of Science (Environment) with approximately one year of study.

Are you motivated to contribute to a more sustainable future? Add a valuable skill set in planning to your degree or advanced diploma. Environmental planning focuses on sustainability in development projects for urban and regional land use.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Land use, environmental planning, and integrated resource management are fields that are becoming increasingly complex, as population growth and urban and rural development threaten the natural environment and natural heritage systems. New provincial and municipal environmental protection legislation and guidelines to control this development require public input at all phases of the planning process, as well as knowledge of and adherence to these acts and policies.

With your background in environmental sciences, environmental studies, engineering, or a related science degree in biology, ecology, geography or sustainability, you can add this Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Applied Planning - Environmental. Gain a competitive advantage with this high demand, marketable skill set.

Throughout this intense, two-semester program you will obtain:

• Planning theory, practice, methods and ethics, with hands-on planning experience on real-world projects
• The ability to understand the implications of planning, relative to environmental sustainability, while balancing social and economic issues
• GIS applications skills and 3D computer applications for planning
• Planning skills for natural heritage, with a focus on Indigenous communities and perspectives
• Communications skills using planning language and concepts to participate in public meetings and presentations
• Knowledge of provincial environmental land use policies, acts, and associated municipal planning regulations and processes

Case studies will introduce you to the challenges found in this field, while practical projects enable you to apply your new skills and explore solutions.

Our School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences is highly respected for applied training in the environmental sector, GIS expertise and training, experience with natural heritage projects, and strong partnerships, including work with Indigenous communities. The Applied Planning - Environmental program will benefit from these synergies. As a student, you will benefit too from our network of contacts and strong reputation, both during the program, and upon graduation when it comes to your job search.