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Urban Forestry Technician (Co-op)

With the unique Urban Forestry Technician program you can make a difference, focusing on the conservation and sustainability of our urban forests and green spaces.

Program Information

Start Date

September 03, 2024

Domestic Availability

Accepting Applications

International Availability

Closed

Program Code

UFT

Delivery

In Person, Placement

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Location

Frost Campus

Program Contact

Tom Mikel

Program Coordinator

Domestic Tuition

$2228.06 per semester*

International Tuition

$8724.02 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

View Curriculum

2 years at Fleming College + 2 years at the University of New Brunswick = 1 unique opportunity to earn a college diploma and a university degree in just 4 years. Or graduate after two years with your diploma and get a head start on your career.

Urban forestry focuses on the care, protection, and maintenance of trees, forests and green spaces in towns and cities. It's caring for "the green in the gray."

As an urban forestry technician, you will require technical, applied skills, but you will also need the ability to work with people and communities. Your work will involve balancing, integrating, and linking the social, economic, environmental, and conservation-related issues associated with the urban forest and community spaces.

This unique 2 + 2 program blends applied and multidisciplinary skills to prepare for the demands of this emerging field. Professionals are needed who can communicate effectively with the public, understand and interpret legislation and policies, and have a broad perspective on planning and conservation. Upon graduation, you will be able to:

  • Identify and appraise a wide range of species in the urban forest
  • Maintain safe and healthy trees by applying principles of tree anatomy and physiology
  • Recommend appropriate arboriculture practices
  • Use a range of GIS tools and spatial technologies to collect, analyze and model the characteristics of urban forests
  • Understand soil characteristics, watershed dynamics, and wildlife habitats that contribute to urban forest ecosystems
  • Safely operate, maintain and troubleshoot equipment
  • Demonstrate and advocate for an integrated approach to urban forestry management
  • Interpret legislation, regulation and policies relating to urban forestry
  • Plan, budget and implement business practices associated with the urban forestry practitioner
  • Apply practices and principles of urban forest management in an ethical and professional manner.

You will complete three university-level courses (Communications, Math and Introductory Chemistry) during your diploma program at Fleming College, providing an opportunity to determine if pursuing a degree in this field at university is the right choice for you.

This program was developed in collaboration with University of New Brunswick (UNB). As a result of this special partnership, the Urban Forestry Technician program is a pathway to a university degree. Students can spend two years at Fleming College and two years at University of New Brunswick (UNB) earning both a college diploma in Urban Forestry and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree with an Urban Forestry major. Urban Forestry Technician courses that are eligible for transfer to UNB require a grade of 70% or higher.

Download the agreement for more details

Eligible graduates of the Fleming Urban Forestry Technician diploma also are able to complete the Bachelor of Urban Forestry degree at University of British Columbia, with three additional years of study at UBC.

Graduates who meet admission/agreement requirements can complete a Bachelor of Science in Forestry at Lakehead University with a four-week summer transition program, and two years of additional study.

Earn while you learn during the paid, summer co-op working in urban forestry between semester 2 and 3.

Please note: In addition to paying tuition and fees for 4 semesters of study, students pay a co-op fee (approximately $558.00) for administrative costs associated with the co-op placement.

Students in our Urban Forestry Technician Co-op diploma program and Urban Forestry certificate program take the same courses for first semester. You will acquire a base of knowledge and fundamental skills in this first semester. Once you have successfully completed the common first semester, you have the flexibility to switch into the other program if you choose to do so, starting in semester two in January, provided there is space available.

The college's Forestry Technician program is the largest in Canada, and has produced highly sought after grads for more than 45 years. The college was also the first to offer certificate programs in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry.

Fleming College is well known for its commitment to student success through personalized support, programs and pathways that ladder to higher learning.

  • You want to make a difference - through involvement with conservation and sustainability in a growth area of the environmental sector
  • You recognize the value of hands-on skills/ minds-on skills
  • You enjoy working with people and working outdoors
  • You are ready for a challenge.

Program graduates will qualify for a broad range of positions with increasing levels of responsibility in supervisory and management roles. There is very little specific career training in urban forestry at the degree level in Canada, although urban forestry jobs have continued to grow. Within the Fleming-UNB program, graduates are eligible to become Registered Professional Foresters, which is a requirement for many of the higher-level urban forestry jobs. Employment opportunities include work with:

  • City, county, provincial, federal and other government agencies
  • Municipal parks, recreation and/or planning departments
  • Environmental consulting companies
  • Arboreta, botanical gardens and tree research centres
  • Hydro and utility companies
  • Corporations with multiple urban properties and private lands
  • Private landscaping and arboriculture industries

The Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD) is an option available to students in this program. To qualify for an IPD, you must take and successfully complete a series of required Indigenous Studies courses as well as participate in a minimum of four approved co-curricular Indigenous events or experiences. Your transcript will indicate the IPD upon graduation, a designation that provides you with a comprehensive understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions to our shared society within the context of your program of study. The IPD provides a valuable skill set sought after in today's employment sector.

  • Identify and appraise a wide range of indigenous and introduced woody plant species in the urban forest.
  • Apply principles of tree anatomy and physiology to assess and maintain safe and healthy trees in urban forests.
  • Recommend appropriate arboriculture practices to maintain healthy and safe trees in the urban environment.
  • Collect, analyze, and model the characteristics of urban forests by using a range of spatial technologies.
  • Identify, monitor and address concerns of soil characteristics, watershed dynamics and wildlife habitats as they contribute to urban forest ecosystems in accordance with established environmental protocols.
  • Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a range of standard equipment including clearing chainsaws, wood chippers and stumpers, as well as specialty equipment such as the aerial trim lift in a safe and secure manner.
  • Advocate for an integrated approach to urban forestry management that includes consideration of social, economic and conservation needs.
  • Interpret legislation, regulations, policies and procedures through all tiers of government as they relate to urban forestry within public and private lands.
  • Plan, budget, and implement fundamental business practices typically associated with the urban forestry practitioner.
  • Apply practices and principles of urban forest management in an ethical and professional manner.

Students applying to Urban Forestry Technician (Co-op) must meet the following requirements:

  • OSSD including Gr 12 C English

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 Science
Requirement
  • Completion of the program.
Transfer Credit
  • 30 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to the articulation statement for further details.

To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.

For more information

Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics
Requirement
  • Completion of the program.
Transfer Credit
  • 30 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to the articulation statement for further details.

To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.

For more information

Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems
Requirement
  • Completion of the program.
Transfer Credit
  • 30 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to the articulation statement for further details.

To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.

For more information

Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Science in Human Science
Requirement
  • Completion of the program.
Transfer Credit
  • 30 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to the articulation statement for further details.

To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.

For more information

Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Environmental Management
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
  • Required to complete the Lakehead University summer transition program.
Transfer Credit
  • 10 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to the articulation agreement for further details.

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

For more information

Visit the Lakehead University website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Science in Forestry
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
  • Required to complete the Lakehead University summer transition program.
Transfer Credit
  • 10 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to the articulation agreement for further details.

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

For more information

Visit the Lakehead University website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

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.

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Resource Studies
Requirement
  • Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
  • Commenced studies at Fleming College since Fall 2018.
Transfer Credit
  • 7 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.

For more information

Visit the Trent University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Resource Science
Requirement
  • Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
  • Commenced studies at Fleming College since Fall 2018.
Transfer Credit
  • 7 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.

For more information

Visit the Trent University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Urban Forestry
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
  • Complete the Indigenous Perspective Designation.
Transfer Credit
  • 45 out of a 126-credit degree.
  • Refer to the articulation agreement for further details.

To apply please see the University of British Columbia's admission website.

For more information

Visit the University of British Columbia website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Science in Forestry
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
  • Minimum 60% in each course for the course to be eligible for transfer credit.
Transfer Credit
  • 65 out of a 139 credit degree.

To apply please see the University of New Brunswick's admissions website.

For more information

Visit the University of New Brunswick website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

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