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Ecological Restoration Honours B.Sc./Ecological Restoration Technician
Joint Trent-Fleming Degree/Diploma

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

Program Information

Start Date

September 03, 2024

Domestic Availability

Accepting Applications

International Availability

Closed

Program Code

ERJ

Delivery

In Person

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Location

Frost Campus

Program Contact

Eric Sager

Program Coordinator

Domestic Tuition

$3432.52 per semester*

International Tuition

$10098.74 per semester*

*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2023-2024 academic year and are subject to change.

*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2023-2024 academic year and are subject to change.

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Canadian Students

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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
  • Is designed to improve college students' access to a university degree
  • Is integrated to combine applied learning, field skills and experience with theoretical and scientific knowledge and principles
  • 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

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. Our 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 practicing ecological restoration through field courses and project work. Please note, the Restoration Ecology overnight field camp takes place two weeks prior to the start 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 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.)

The program is challenging and sets a high standard of academic rigour. Our goal is to provide the support you need to achieve these standards but you must be prepared to:

  • Dedicate study time necessary to achieve grade requirements in University Level courses
  • Achieve a minimum grade of 65% in semester one for Environmental Science 1 and Critical Thinking and Communications courses in order to progress to semester two of the joint program
  • Pass all courses and achieve a 70% overall program average in years 1 and 2 in order to progress to year 3
  • Participate fully in field course activities and team-based projects (which may extend beyond regular class time)
  • Take control of your learning by recognizing if you need help and taking advantage of opportunities to access assistance

If you do not achieve the academic standards required for entry into 5th semester at Trent University, there is a pathway into the 5th semester (3rd year) of our Ecosystem Management Technology program, enabling you to obtain an Ontario College Advanced Diploma. We have four spaces reserved for this purpose. To be eligible, students must successfully complete all courses in years 1 and 2 of the Ecological Restoration Honours B.Sc. Joint Trent-Fleming program. If there are more applications than reserved seats available, a selection process based on an average of overall Ecological Restoration program marks will take place.

The environmental sector is experiencing a sustained boom as global awareness of environmental issues is now top-of-mind. For more than 20 years, growth in the environmental workforce has consistently outpaced overall growth of the Canadian workforce and is projected to continue to do so. There's a significant shortage of environmental employees with the required science background, technical and soft skills mix to meet the demand.

Employment opportunities are diverse and new career prospects are emerging - especially in the private sector - as corporations discover that green corporate citizenship initiatives contribute to both long-term sustainability and market share. Entry-level job titles include:

  • Landscape Restoration Technician
  • Shoreline Naturalization or Restoration Technician
  • Watershed Planning Technician
  • Wetland Habitat Technician, Habitat Restoration Technician

Positions requiring more experience include:

  • Project Manager, Field and Stream Rescue Team
  • Watershed Restorationist
  • Stewardship Assistant
  • Remediation Specialist
  • Ecologist
  • Biodiversity Conservation Biologist

Whether you choose to work in the public or private sector, you will be well-equipped with the comprehensive science foundation, plus the technical and field skills that the Honours B.Sc. in Ecological Restoration provides. You also have the flexibility to pursue graduate studies if you choose to do so.

  • Use knowledge of the rationale for, history, and benefits of, ecological restoration in order to better understand the scope and limitations of contemporary practice.
  • Apply principles of foundation science and engineering to the practice of ecological restoration.
  • Read and assess a given landscape; its features, key ecological structures, functions, relationships and context (biological, social, physical).
  • Establish baseline data using simple tests (soil, water, taxonomical). Collect samples and data accurately, under lab and field conditions, using recognized protocols and methods of reporting.
  • Assist with the assessment and analysis of a project site using historical and contemporary references, aerial and ground level photos and GIS applications.
  • Assess causes of site degradation, damage, or destruction in the immediate and remote landscape and including biological, social and physical factors.
  • Use knowledge of government policy, and regulation, the roles and functions of government agencies and NGOs in order to inform the project context.
  • Source and manage supplies; cost project components accurately, make economic use of resources.
  • Conduct project work using the recognized protocols, codes of ethics and standards of the field and in accordance with permits and authorizations.
  • Use a range of restoration technologies, models and tools competently and safely, under field conditions.
  • Conduct on site reclamation and restoration activities including landscaping, tree planting and habitat development/restoration.
  • Conduct on site aquatic restoration activities including wetland construction, stream rehabilitation, and design of ecologically engineered water and wastewater treatment systems.
  • Implement monitoring protocols including data analysis.
  • Participate in applied research projects assuming progressive levels of responsibility for design, implementation and reporting.
  • Work co-operatively and adaptively in multidisciplinary teams and with stakeholders in order to achieve desired results.
  • Communicate effectively and persuasively in oral and written formats diverse audiences using a range of techniques (reporting, presentation, liaison, dispute resolution, public education and advocacy).

Students applying to Ecological Restoration Honours B.Sc./Ecological Restoration Technician - Joint Trent-Fleming Degree/Diploma must meet the following requirements:

  • OSSD including Gr 12 C English, Gr 12 C Math and Gr 11 C Science

Recommended (but not required for admission)

  • College (C), University/College (U/C) or University (U/M) level courses in Chemistry, English and Biology

Windows (ideal) or Mac computer. Information about hardware requirements can be found on the ArcGIS Desktop system requirements page.

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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 are summarized here.

Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies and Digital Technology
Requirement
  • Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • 60 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Commerce
Requirement
  • Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
  • Completion of the Ontario Tech Commerce Bridge.
Transfer Credit
  • 45 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • Entry into 4th semester standing in an 8-semester program.

To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.

For more information

Visit the Seneca College website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Program Code: CNB

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Program Code: FT

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