Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

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FAT Courses

FAT Aquatic/wetland plant courses

Environmental consulting services

Environmental consulting course

FAT Bird courses

FAT terrestrial plant courses

FAT Program

GIS certification course

Internship program & opportunities

Primate FAT Courses

Medicinal plant FAT Courses

FAT Courses in management/leadership

Nicaragua Ecology and Behaviour of primates courses

Costa Rica Ecology and Behaviour of primates courses

Rainforest Ecology course

International Ethnobotany course

Application form for all programs

Reference form and letter for all programs

Biological Field School

Biological Field School application form

Reference form and letter for Biological Field School

Workshops

Jobs

Financial aid

General Field Assistant Training (FAT) Program FAT General Courses Our classes are small so that the instructor may direct their attention to students 1 - 1. The General FAT program is divided into multiple courses to help people upgrade their skills in order to qualify for employment in the environmental industry. Students may concentrate on plant courses, bird courses, or combine courses to provide a broader prospective. Our courses do provide an in depth examination of how to visually field identify common vascular plant families and genera and we do spend more time investigating how to perform flora and fauna (for example, amphibian) surveys. Graduates of our course should leave with a good basic knowledge of flora identification skills, particularly where to look for Ontario Species at risk (SARs) and how to assess them. In order to qualify for internships through the Biological Field School and become full time students must enroll in a minimum of 3 courses. Students who simply enroll in 1 course will not be considered. This will allow an instructor to work with you to improve your resume, cover letter, provide job finding strategies. It also places you on the list to receive weekly job postings so that you may start applying to suitable jobs immediately. Please choose from the following list of courses. If you wish to discuss courses with an instructor please contact us; Core General FAT Program courses Plant courses Bird courses Management courses Principles and concepts of Ecological Land Classification - $1440.00 CAD We offer all the current updates and revisions for the Ontario Ecological Land Classification system. This course is recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Training, colleges and universities as well as a number of employers in the environmental industry. Employers who have sent their staff to participate or are considering it include; i. Hullet Provincial Wildlife Area, Clinton, Ontario ii. Watershed Management Ecology (environmental consultants), Mississauga, Ontario iii. Avalon Environmental Consultants, Fort Erie, Ontario iv. Bruce Power The following employers have hired graduates of this course; i. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority ii. Credit Valley Conservation Authority iii. St. Clair Region Conservation Authority iv. Halton Conservation Authority v. Natural Resource Solutions (environmental consultants) vi. Grand River Conservation Authority vii. Bird Studies Canada viii. Point Pelee National Park ix. GMS Ecological and Forestry Services, Inc x. Catfish Creek Conservation Authority xi. O'Connor & Associates environmental consulting xii. Bruce Trail Conservancy xiii. Thunder House forestry services xiv. Wildlife Preservation Canada xv. Volunteers for Peace xvi. Bruce Power xvii. Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute Here's what professionals have to say about our courses; "In my experience, graduates from Earthquest Canada are well qualified to participate in consulting practices and the market is currently in short supply of well-qualified individuals. I am most familiar with wetland delineation, Ecological Land Classification, and bird identification coursework put forth by Earthquest. I have sent some of my professional biologist staff for coursework at Earthquest and was very happy with the improvement of the professional skills of program participants." Avalon Consulting Professionals P. Leigh Whyte, MCIP, RPP, AICP Principal/Chief Urban Planner This course focuses on combining the concepts of hydrology, soil science, forestry, geology and biotic factors to classify natural areas. Students will spend 20 - 30 hours learning how to identify soil types, how water flows, applying plant field ID skills and recognising vegetation communities. The course will utilize soil labs and field practicums to reinforce concepts learned. The culmination will be a student project on classifying a natural area. This project will be submitted in written and oral format. Unit #1: Principles and concepts of Ecological Land Classification (ELC) A review of how ELC was developed for field practioners in Ontario and it's application for municipal regulations and laws. Unit #2: Soil Science We will learn how to identify and classify soil types into drainage and moisture regimes. Unit #3: Plant communities and classification An examination of some of the common vegetation communities encountered in southern Ontario. Students do spend a considerable amount of time learning how to field identify vegetation in all layers. Unit #4: Polygon Description and Classification Polygon delineation, description and classification is emphasized by amalgating all data collected from field practicums. The requirement to pass this course is to perform ELC work on your own polygon. The prerequisite for this course are the Level 1 and 2 General Terrestrial and Aquatic/Wetland FAT plant certification courses. A typical schedule in this course might resemble the schedule below; General Schedule of Activities Day Morning Afternoon Day 1 Fundamentals of conducting an ELC History of ELC Day 2 Soil science Soil lab to determine soil types Day 3 Field Studies Field practicum; dig soil pits and analyze soils Day 4 Field Studies Delineating polygon boundaries Day 5 Field Studies Walk polygon to identify plants Day 6 Field Studies Perform tree tally work Day 7 Field Studies Collection of data Day 8 Field Studies Collection of data Day 9-12 Field Studies Write-up reports Day 13 In class preparation Presentation of report In 2010 the ELC certification course will be offered on the following date; Spring semester - 4 week version (each day is the equivalent of 1 week from 4 week version) April April 26 - May 21, 2010. Book early to avoid disappointment as this course fills quickly. Five day version: April 26 - 30, 2010 Cost $1300.00 CAD + $40.00 (ELC field manual) + $100.00 (Plant Genera of Ontario) = $1440.00 CAD Total This course is recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and focuses heavily on plant field ID and mapping. Principles and concepts of Wetland Studies - $1300.00 CAD How to score wetlands for both northern and southern Ontario as well as conducting field work in valleylands within watersheds. Unit #1: Wetland Studies certification A review of how Wetland evaluation was developed for field practioners in Ontario and it's application for municipal regulations and laws. Unit #2: Watershed valleylands and tablelands; Biological Component How to score wetlands based on the values and attributes of wetland biology, erosion, fisheries habitat and benthic sampling. Unit #3: Social Component How to score wetlands based on the values and attributes of wetland social systems. Unit #4: Hydrological Component How to score wetlands based on the values and attributes of wetland hydrology. Making a wetland map to define vegetation forms and boundaries Unit #5: Special Features Component; identification of Ontario Species at Risk + GIS applications How to bring field data into GIS mapping, score wetlands based on the values and attributes of wetland special feature found within the catchment basin. A typical schedule in this course might resemble the schedule below; General Schedule of Activities Day Morning Afternoon Day 1 Fundamentals of Wetland evaluation, rationale & purpose History of Wetland studies Day 2 Biological Component Social Component Day 3 Field Studies Field practicum; determining vegetation forms and wetland boundaries based on aquatic/wetland plant indicators Day 4 Field Studies Delineating wetland boundaries Day 5 Field Studies Field trips to identify plants of marshes and bogs Day 6 Field Studies Perform field work Day 7 Field Studies Collection of data Day 8 Field Studies Collection of data Day 9-12 Field Studies Write-up reports and score wetland Day 13 In class preparation Presentation of findings (oral presentations) During the summer 2010 semester the Wetland evaluation certification course will be offered on the following dates; Spring semester - 5 day version (each day is the equivalent of 1 week from 4 week version) May 31 - June 25, 2010. Book early to avoid disappointment. Cost $1200.00 CAD + $100.00 (Aquatic/wetland plant genera of Ontario) = $1300.00 CAD Total Once you have completed your training you may apply to any position which requires Wetland work. Benefits of training Both the Wetland studies and principles and concepts of ELC courses must be taken by attending field sessions at our Biological Field School for 7 to 35 hours per week for up to 4 weeks. If you can't find that much time you may request to enroll in the 2 or 5 day intensive field practicums. Only a limited number of spaces are available to participate in 2 or 5 day field practicums, so it is strongly recommended that you reserve your spot before somebody else grabs it! Generally, 2 day field practicums run over a weekend on a Saturday and Sunday, while 5 day field practicums run from Monday to Friday. It is recommended to do your 2 day field practicum during our Bruce Trail Project mini course since all students are assessed for job readiness on this course and a full time paid internship or contract position may be attached directly to the course. Please email or phone to inquire about availability of spots in this course. Due to the popularity of the ELC & Wetland certification courses we can only accept applications on a first come, first pay basis and we cannot reserve spaces or place your name on the waiting list until full payment is received. To learn more about the Bruce Trail Project mini course please consult; Bruce Trail Project mini course Once you have completed your training you may apply to any position which requires ELC &/or Wetland work. Benefits of training You can contribute to any ELC and Wetland work needed by employers, municipalities, environmental consulting firms, etc. Participants of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve Bruce Trail projects may contribute directly to ongoing research for the Bruce Trail Project. Practical hands-on field experience. Increase the amount you can be paid in the environmental field significantly since very few enviro job applicants possess both Wetland and ELC certifications and are hard to find by employers! *Note*: Our ELC & Wetland courses are similar to the MNR versions, but are not to be misconstrued, interpreted or confused with the MNR versions. We focus more heavily on vegetation and mapping. All EARTHQUEST courses and programs are subject to change and recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Purchase your copy of our new book on the flora and fauna of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve $27.50 CAD + shipping and handling Photo: Dave Jolly for more information please click on; Bruce book  E-mail: earthquestcanada@yahoo.com Executive Director & Senior Instructor D. Jolly, B.Sc. EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment 8122 Rogers Rd. S., RR #5 Aylmer, Ontario, Canada N5H 2R4 Tel: 519-875-3340 ©copyright EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment Website designed and maintained by D. Jolly Last Updated 16/09/09