EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment

Learn how to be a field biologist, Biology, research and conservation, Field training and employment opportunities

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Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

History

FAT Program

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

Loans and grants


Now available; a new Tree and Shrub book authored by the Senior Instructor of the EARTHQUEST Biological Field School - Dave Jolly
People considering internships and jobs with EARTHQUEST or work in the environmental industry are strongly urged to purchase this book for only $60.00 CND + shipping and handling
To order please contact us for more details


Photos: Dave Jolly


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.

In order to qualify for internships through the Biological Field School and become full time students must enroll in a minimum of 3 courses. 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;

Ecology courses
Bird courses
Management courses

For a complete description of the core General FAT Program courses, specialty and correspondence courses please download General FAT Program Courses


Level 1 General FAT plant course - $700.00 CAD

This course focuses on up to 20 families of vascular plants and 10 tree/shrub families commonly found in the eastern half of North America, but these families are also found all over the world. It emphasizes common traits shared among plant families and how to visually recognize them based on these traits. It is the starting course for all other field botany courses offered, including the specialty courses;


Unit #1: Taxonomy and nomenclature

A review the scientific classification system of naming plants based on geography, physical features, etc..

How to name a plant based on binomial epithets
Family characteristics and traits
Angiosperm vs. Gymnosperm reproduction


Unit #2: Field Identification Techniques; Plant Families

We will learn how to identify common plant families.

How to identify based on leaf shape, arrangement and flower head arrangement
Family traits and characteristics


Unit #3: Confusing families

An examination of some of the plant families which may be easily confused in the field


Unit #4: Tree and shrub families

An examination of 10 different trees/shrubs along with an introduction to winter field ID techniques based on leaf scars, bundle traces, bud shape, bark structure and seeds or keys.


Level 2 FAT plant course - $700.00 CAD

This course focuses on learning how to positively field identify up to 39 genera of commonly found plants in the Carolinian, Mixed deciduous and Boreal forest zones of the eastern half of North America. Students will learn the status in the Province and counties, distribution, flowering times, habitat, growth status, how to recognize hybrids and rare plants. Field sessions and tutorials are conducted by systematically covering all 39 genera and providing genus characteristics, differences and similarities between confusing generas.


Unit #1: Field identification techniques - vascular plant generas

18 vascular plant wildflower genera are explored by discussing genus characteristics and commonalities between them.


Unit #2: Differentiating similar generas

We will learn how to visually distinguish between confusing genera which superficially resemble one another in the field.


Unit #3: Tree/Shrub field identification

An examination of 21 commonly found trees and shrubs.


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


Learn how to be a field biologist, Biology, research and conservation, Field training and employment opportunities

 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
©copyright EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment

Website designed and maintained by D. Jolly
Last Updated 1/10/08