The Biological Field School is recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities as a private vocational professional skills development training institute which is exempt from registration. To view the letter of exemption from the Ministry please consult:

Letter of exemption page 1 (264 kb)
Letter of exemption page 2 (163 kb)

Due to the announcement by the Hon. Minister of Education - Chris Bentley on Wed. Sept. 5th, 2007 about our school students are strongly recommended to apply to courses and/or programs of their choice at least 1 year in advance. Students who submit their completed applications along with their $680.00 CAD registration fee and payment for their first course (ie. $800.00 or $1440.00 CAD) = $1480.00 or $2120.00 CAD will be given first priority for courses and/or full time paid internships. To avoid disappointment please apply now rather than later! Canada's first and only Biological Field School will provide a wide diversity of academic programs for people interested in field biology, ornithology, botany, ethnobotany, and primatology. The major component of the program will closely follow the curriculum and format of the General FAT Program, but you may also apply for other FAT Program courses, for example in field primatology. This is the best way to learn theoretical and practical concepts to prepare students for employment in the environmental field. You may also pick and choose from our list of special interest courses to match your interests, needs to customize your FAT Program. To find a list of courses for the 2009/10 calender year please refer to our Program/Course catalogue at the following link;

2009/10 Program/Course catalogue (1.7 MB PDF file)

The tuition fee varies with the length of your program. For 3 month semester programs the fee (effective August 15, 2009) is $4000.00 Cdn. For the 6 month program the fee is $9000.00 Cdn. For the 9 month program the fee is $11 000.00 Cdn and for the 12 month program it is $15 000.00 Cdn. For the 2 year program it is $27 500.00 Cdn. The 1 and 2 year programs are the best choice for people who want a career in the environmental industry since we will attach a guaranteed enviro job position to their General FAT Program; conditional that the student is in good standing with our school and successfully passing their program. Students who are offered internships or job opportunities, but turn them down are not guaranteed an enviro job position. Successful graduates of the 1 and 2 year programs generally may find full time employment within 3 - 9 months of acceptance, making $35, 000 - $40, 000 Cdn/yr., to start if they successfully implement their certification courses. Please make an appointment with us to discuss details by phoning 519-875-3340.

For the 3 month semester programs the following items are included;

i. Assistance with restructuring your resume/cover letter to make them more attractive to potential enviro employers
ii. Assistance with preparing for enviro job interviews; government vs. non-government
iii. Job posting service; access to up to 100 enviro jobs to apply to weekly (these are the jobs which cannot be found through traditional job searches). This subscription service is renewable annually for $30.00 CAD/year

For the 6 month semester programs the following items are included;

i. Assistance with restructuring your resume/cover letter to make them more attractive to potential enviro employers
ii. Assistance with preparing for enviro job interviews; government vs. non-government
iii. Job posting service; access to up to 100 enviro jobs to apply to weekly (these are the jobs which cannot be found through traditional job searches). This subscription service is renewable annually for $30.00 CAD/year
iv. One full or part time contract or enviro job opportunity will be directly attached to your program - this increases your chances of finding an enviro job within 3 - 6 months by 100% (guaranteed)

To learn more about the 6 month General FAT Program please go to;

6 month FAT Program

For 9 month semester programs the following items are included;

i. Assistance with restructuring your resume/cover letter to make them more powerful and presentable
ii. Assistance with preparing for enviro job interviews; government vs. non-government
iii. Job posting service; renewable for $30.00 CAD/year
iv. Meet and greet the enviro employer; Guest speaker series - an enviro practioner is invited to speak to students about their job, academic, professional and personal qualifications required to qualify, typical day on the job, etc.
v. Field trips to natural areas to enhance the flora and fauna portfolio of the student. Students also have the opportunity to personally meet employers in their places of employment (eg. Point Pelee National Park)
vi. Receive practical hands on 1-1 field training from a highly qualified instructor/mentor at project sites, whereby students learn how to apply the skills necessary to become employed in a learn by doing environment
vii. One full or part time internship or enviro job opportunity will be directly attached to your program - this increases your chances of finding an enviro job within 3 - 9 months by 100% (guaranteed), provided you are in good standing with our school and successfully pass the program.
viii. You will be matched with a highly successful practioner in the environmental industry to job shadow and learn the "tricks of the trade" to catapult you into a florishing career path. This, combined with your certification courses makes you qualified to apply to jobs in the $45,000 to $55,000.00/yr pay range.

For 2 year programs the following items are included;

i. Assistance with restructuring your resume/cover letter to make them more powerful and presentable
ii. Assistance with preparing for enviro job interviews; government vs. non-government
iii. Job posting service; renewable for $30.00 CAD/year
iv. Meet and greet the enviro employer; Guest speaker series - an enviro practioner is invited to speak to students about their job, academic, professional and personal qualifications required to qualify, typical day on the job, etc.
v. Field trips to natural areas to enhance the flora and fauna portfolio of the student. Students also have the opportunity to personally meet employers in their places of employment (eg. Point Pelee National Park)
vi. Receive practical hands on 1-1 field training from a highly qualified instructor/mentor at project sites, whereby students learn how to apply the skills necessary to become employed in a learn by doing environment
vii. Up to two (3) full or part time internship or enviro job opportunity will be directly attached to your program - this increases your chances of finding an enviro job within 3 - 9 months by 100% (guaranteed), provided you are in good standing with our school and successfully pass the program.
viii. You will be placed on an active and ongoing field project which may turn into an "earn while you learn" opportunity and ultimately a full time paid position with EARTHQUEST or partner organizations.
ix. Opportunities to teach other students and help them obtain their certifications (may lead to full time teaching or instructor position with EARTHQUEST)
x. You will be matched with a highly successful practioner in the environmental industry to job shadow and learn the "tricks of the trade" to catapult you into a florishing career path. This, combined with your certification courses makes you qualified to apply to jobs in the $55,000 to $65,000.00/yr pay range. xi. In your second year you will specialize - ie. in plants, birds, insects, or computers

The following 10 certification courses are included with the first year of the 2 year General FAT Program;

i. Level 1 terrestrial FAT plants - families
ii. Level 2 terrestrial FAT plants - genera
iii. Level 1 FAT birds - families
iv. Level 2 FAT birds - general
v. ELC
vi. Wetland studies
vii. Level 1 aquatic/wetland FAT plants - families
viii. Level 2 aquatic/wetland FAT course
ix. ACCESS
x. GIS

During the second year you may choose from the following specialty courses;

i. Ferns of Ontario
ii. Sedges, grasses, rushes of Ontario
iii. Goldenrods and Asters of Ontario
iv. Level 3 FAT terrestrial plants - species differentiation
v. Warblers of Ontario
vi. Ducks, geese and swans of Ontario
vii. Shorebirds of Ontario
viii.Level 3 FAT birds - species
ix. Corel draw; applications for field biologists
x. HTML; website design
xi. Terrestrial and Aquatic/wetland insects of Ontario
xii. Dragonflies of Ontario
xiii.Butterflies and moths of Ontario

For 12 month semester programs the following items are included;

i. Assistance with restructuring your resume/cover letter to make them more powerful and presentable
ii. Assistance with preparing for enviro job interviews; government vs. non-government
iii. Job posting service; renewable for $30.00 CAD/year
iv. Meet and greet the enviro employer; Guest speaker series - an enviro practioner is invited to speak to students about their job, academic, professional and personal qualifications required to qualify, typical day on the job, etc.
v. Field trips to natural areas to enhance the flora and fauna portfolio of the student. Students also have the opportunity to personally meet employers in their places of employment (eg. Point Pelee National Park)
vi. Receive practical hands on 1-1 field training from a highly qualified instructor/mentor at project sites, whereby students learn how to apply the skills necessary to become employed in a learn by doing environment
vii. Up to two (2) full or part time internship or enviro job opportunity will be directly attached to your program - this increases your chances of finding an enviro job within 3 - 9 months by 100% (guaranteed), provided you are in good standing with our school and successfully pass the program.
viii. You will be placed on an active and ongoing field project which may turn into an "earn while you learn" opportunity and ultimately a full time paid position with EARTHQUEST or partner organizations.
ix. Opportunities to teach other students and help them obtain their certifications (may lead to full time teaching or instructor position with EARTHQUEST)
x. You will be matched with a highly successful practioner in the environmental industry to job shadow and learn the "tricks of the trade" to catapult you into a florishing career path. This, combined with your certification courses makes you qualified to apply to jobs in the $55,000 to $65,000.00/yr pay range.

The following 10 certification courses are included with the 12 month General FAT Program;

i. Level 1 terrestrial FAT plants - families
ii. Level 2 terrestrial FAT plants - genera
iii. Level 1 FAT birds - families
iv. Level 2 FAT birds - general
v. ELC
vi. Wetland studies
vii. Level 1 aquatic/wetland FAT plants - families
viii. Level 2 aquatic/wetland FAT course
ix. ACCESS
x. GIS

The following 6 certification courses are included with the 9 month General FAT Program;

i. Level 1 terrestrial FAT plants - families
ii. Level 2 terrestrial FAT plants - genera
iii. ELC
iv. Wetland studies
v. ACCESS
vi. GIS

For the 2007/08 calendar year students had the following internships/job opportunities to choose from;

a. Biological Inventory Intern with EARTHQUEST (Canada) on the Bruce Trail Project. Students were immersed into the regime of collecting data on the flora and fauna of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve between Tobermory and Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
b. Ecobiologist Species at Risk (SAR) intern with EARTHQUEST (Canada) in conjuction with Human Resources Skills Development Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, the Grand River Conservation Authority and Agriculture Canada. Students will work on our Medicinal Plant Project investigating a medicinal plant crop product which may supplement the declining tobacco industry
c. Bird Surveyer with Avalon Consulting. Students conducted bird surveys at approximately 10 wind farm projects across Ontario
d. Aviculturalist with Wildlife Preservation Trust Canada. Students will assist with an animal husbandry and captive breeding program on the endangered Eastern loggerhead shrike population in the Bruce peninsula of Ontario.

For the 2008/09 calendar year students had the following internships/job opportunities to choose from;

a. Teaching Assistant with EARTHQUEST (Canada). Graduates of courses were selected based on good standing and maintaining a 75% average in all courses to assist with teaching components of field courses to other students
b. Project Manager with EARTHQUEST (Canada). A former student was hired for a 1 year contract to help secure contracts within the renewable energy sector.
c. Ecobiologist Species at Risk (SAR) intern with EARTHQUEST (Canada) in conjuction with Human Resources Skills Development Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, the Grand River Conservation Authority and Agriculture Canada. Students will work on our Medicinal Plant Project investigating a medicinal plant crop product which may supplement the declining tobacco industry
d. Wetland monitoring intern with EARTHQUEST (Canada) in conjuction with Lower Trent Conservation. Students assisted with monitoring 4 focal wetlands in eastern Ontario while performing Marsh Monitoring Program protocol for Bird Studies Canada
e. Plant inventory intern with EARTHQUEST (Canada) in conjuction with Sandbanks Provincial Park. Students were selected to perform vascular plant inventories to update the offical park species list.

Semesters run every 3 months throughout the year; winter/spring/fall and summer. Currently, we are in the summer semester. The summer semester began on June 1, 2009 and ends October 2, 2009. The fall semester begins October 5th, 2009, with registration due no later than 12 Noon on September 15th, 2009. To register simply send the $680.00 CAD registration fee + 1st certification course fee (= $800.00 - $1440.00 CAD) along with a completed application form, three reference forms, a copy of your transcript from college or university and resume. The winter semester begins on January 1st, 2010, with registration due by 12 Noon on December 15th, 2009. Spring/summer courses tend to focus on flora and fauna species available for observation during those months, whereby fall/winter courses focus on winter species. The spring semester is among the most popular, since all the best field jobs are awarded or announced during this semester. Early enrollment at least 1 year ahead is highly recommended. In other words, students considering taking their courses during the fall semester, which begins in October, 2009 should enroll now, rather than on or before the registration deadline of September 15th, 2009. Students who wait until the registration deadline to apply are often disappointed to learn that ALL spots have been filled. All FAT Programs lead to a recognized certificate of completion which may qualify graduates to perform work in ecological/biological inventory work, classification of natural areas, field identification of flora and fauna, behavioural observations of fauna, managing field crews and teams, and leading projects/tours. For more information on the structure of the General FAT Program and the units presented please refer to the following webpage link;

Bird FAT Courses

Plant FAT Courses

A detailed comparison of the benefits and rewards of enrolling in our FAT Programs is outlined below;

	General FAT Program	Primate FAT Program	Bird FAT Program	Ethnobotany FAT Program	Management/leadership Program
Certification	General FAT Certificate	Primate FAT Certificate	Bird FAT Certificate	Ethnobotany FAT Certificate	Management/leadership Certificate
Courses	General bird and plant field ID in all seasons, census/survey techniques, scientific report writing, data collection, analysis and interpretation, Ecological Land Classification, GIS and ACCESS techniques, Wetland evaluation, environmental monitoring and assessment	Behavioural observation sampling techniques, primate census/survey techniques, evolution, behaviour and distribution of New and Old World primates, scientific report writing, data collection, analysis and interpretation as they relate to field study of primates	Advanced bird field ID, behavioural observational sampling, construct and design of field projects as they relate to field study of birds	Advanced plant field ID, ethnobotany and medicinal plants, survey/sampling techniques related to Ecological Land Classification for southwestern region of Ontario	Management/leadership techniques as they relate to operating field projects, managing crews and teams, effective communication techniques
Length of Program	12 weeks to 2 years	10 - 12 weeks	8 - 12 weeks	10 - 12 weeks	4 weeks
Internships	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Jobs secured by program graduates	Environmental consulting, Field Assistant, Field Survey technician, Ecologist, Terrestrial Biologist, Species At Risk Biologist	Field Assistant in primatology, Teaching Assistant	Field Survey technician, Field Assistant	Field Assistant, Ecological Land Classifier	Ecologist, Biologist

Since 1996, EARTHQUEST has been running educational programs in Canada, North America, Central America and South America as well as southeast Asia. EARTHQUEST is affiliated with numerous non-profit environmental organizations worldwide such as The Jane Goodall Institute-Canada, Volunteers for Peace, and the United Nations International Year for the Volunteer programs. Graduates of our programs have found work locally with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Bird Studies Canada, the Long Point Bird Observatory, consulting firms and Conservation Authorities. Still, here at home, you may receive practical field experience and training in …

Data collection techniques, analysis and interpretation.
Field identification techniques and methodology.
Scientific report writing techniques and submission requirements for Ecological Land Classification studies, Environmentally Sensitive Areas, etc.
Field research & GIS techniques

EARTHQUEST (Canada) is dedicated to raising awareness and financial support for environmental initiatives in conservation, protection, and restoration of endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species and their habitats. In the past we have helped foster research and conservation efforts on the following species;

Pananian tamarin monkey (Saguinus geoffroyi) - endangered and restricted to a range between southern Costa Rica and northern Columbia

Bald eagle (Halieatus leucocephalus) - southern Ontario population - endangered

Eastern spiny softshell turtle (Apolone spiniferus spiniferus) - one of five subspecies of the Spiny softshell turtle which is threatened in Ontario, Canada and restricted to the Sydenham and Thames River systems

Wood poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum - endangered in Canada and restricted to 3 sites in southwestern Ontario

For more information on prices, dates, or any of our projects, courses, and programs, please contact our Senior Instructor - Dave Jolly.

EARTHQUEST Staff

Dave Jolly, B.Sc.

Senior Instructor

Nata Mateev,

Project Manager

EARTHQUEST Biological Field School
8122 Rogers Rd. S., RR #5
Aylmer, Ontario, CANADA
N5H 2R4
email: earthquestincoming@hotmail.com
Phone: 519-875-3340
www.oocities.org/earthquestcanada

Students accepted into our new Biological Field School since it opened have found employment before graduation with Parks Canada, environmental consulting firms, non-government research and conservation organizations and conservation authorities. Students who enroll in the fall semester (which starts Oct. 5th, 2009) may be eligible to be awarded 3 - 12 month internship opportunities, if they successfully pass all phases of the FAT program. Please note, if you are accepted into the Biological Field School you may have 24 to 48 hours to pay your non-refundable deposit to secure placement. This ensures placement for 1 year from your acceptance date. If you decide not to enroll then your application will be placed on file for 4 months. After that you will be required to re-apply with no guarantee of gaining acceptance again. This is due to limited enrollment as we only accept a maximum of 15 students per semester. Please do not apply unless you are serious about enrollment.

Apply now by filling out the attached PDF file of an application form and submit to EARTHQUEST along with your $600.00 Cdn non-refundable deposit (effective August 15, 2009) and $80.00 Cdn registration fee, three (3) reference forms, a copy of your college/university transcript, and a current resume.