Fleming College

City of Kawartha Lakes ON – (January 29, 2015) – Fleming College students taking the Urban Forestry Technician Co-op diploma program can now go on to take the University of New Brunswick’s (UNB) bachelor of science in Forestry with a major in Urban Forestry.

The university recently received approval for the Urban Forestry major from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission as part of the 2+2 diploma/degree program offered jointly through Fleming and UNB.

Students in the program spend two years at Fleming’s Frost Campus in Lindsay and earn an Urban Forestry Technician diploma before going on to UNB for another two years to earn a B.Sc. Forestry degree. Students graduate in just four years with both the diploma and degree, and have the benefit of a paid co-op experience while they are at Fleming.

Previously, students would graduate from the degree program with an emphasis in Urban Forestry. Now, within the major, students can take more specific urban forestry-based courses and electives.

The program’s unique combination of college and university studies provides graduates with both the practical, hands-on experience of a diploma as well as the academic experience of a degree. Students also gain from the variety and mobility that comes with studying in two distinct geographic locations.

While urban forestry jobs have grown and continue to grow across Canada, there is very little specific career training in urban forestry at the degree level. Within the Fleming-UNB program, graduates are eligible to become a Registered Professional Forester, which is required for many of the top-level urban forestry jobs. The designation also places graduates at the forefront of qualifications for career opportunities.

“The industry has expressed a need for urban forestry graduates who are qualified for entry-level positions but would also be eligible for management positions that may require degree completion,” said Linda Skilton, Dean/Principal of the Frost Campus. “We are excited to see this innovative program take this significant step forward. The University of New Brunswick has been an excellent partner, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to produce skilled graduates.”
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) is one of Canada’s oldest English-language universities and one of the first public universities established in North America. Founded in 1785, the multi-campus institution is home to over 60 research centres and institutes, groups and ongoing projects. The university offers over 75 undergraduate and graduate programs in 14 faculties to more than 10,500 students at campuses in Fredericton and Saint John from more than 100 countries, and several thousand more take UNB courses online and at partner institutions around the world. As the largest research institution in New Brunswick, UNB conducts more than 75 per cent of the province’s university research.

About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Science, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has 5,900 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and more than 68,000 alumni.

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For more information:
Laura Copeland
Communications Officer
laura.copeland@flemingcollege.ca
705.749.5530 x 1370