Advanced Diploma in Fish and Wildlife Technology

at Fleming College - Frost Campus (Lindsay) Canada

Through the Geographic Information Systems - Cartographic Specialist program you can become a proficient GIS practitioner, visual designer and communicator - creating a variety of customized maps and other products for the many users of geographic information.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Cartography - known as the art and science of making maps, has come a long way since the efforts of early mapmakers who worked with pen and ink. While cartography still relies on many of the traditional principles, mapmaking now requires incorporating the best of modern research and technology. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows today's "cartographer" to store geographic data in an organized way, to allow for quick access, correlation, and analysis. This system also facilitates the development of cartographic displays. By using GIS, cartographers are able to collect, store, and combine data about a given area, subject, or region being researched. GIS helps planners working on environmental, public health, municipal planning, and natural resource projects (to name a few uses) monitor change, predict trends and manage resources using current relevant data.

The GIS Cartographic Specialist program is an advanced post-graduate program, building on your existing, related skills.

• Fleming's leadership in this field has been recognized by industry, government and business through their support in establishing the Geomatics Institute at Fleming.
• These strong partnerships offer students access to the latest software packages and data resources as well as unprecedented learning and employment opportunities.
• Most GIS programs focus on geographic analysis and application - but the Fleming Cartographic Specialist program is based on a dual approach which is truly unique.
• You will become a proficient GIS practitioner, as well as a visual designer and communicator - using GIS data and software to create a wide variety of customized maps and other products for users of geographic information.

This program focuses on the "non-climbing" aspects of urban forestry and landscape care. You can help make our cities a better place to be after completing the Urban Forestry Certificate.

Program Highlights
Trees clean the air and provide much needed "green" relief from the concrete jungle.
You will learn how to care for urban trees and tree canopies, and gain a basic understanding of the landscape industry. As an Urban Forestry graduate, you'll be able to work maintaining and preserving trees and shrubs in the urban landscape and green spaces of our communities.

• You'll have the theoretical and practical knowledge to work on all aspects of urban tree care.
• While this program emphasizes the non-climbing aspects of tree and landscape care, you'll be able to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot chainsaws, wood chippers, stumpers, and other relevant mechanical equipment.
• You will be able to identify approximately 140 species of trees and shrubs in both summer and winter conditions.
• In order to better protect trees and shrubbery, you will be able to diagnose and remedy major pests, disease, and tree disorders - using the latest techniques and treatments to promote plant health.

Why Choose Fleming
Simply put, students choose Fleming College because of our reputation in the industry. Employers look to our Urban Forestry and Arboriculture programs to find well-trained graduates. The School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences has a 40-year plus reputation among professional organizations and employers working in the field.

Work Experience
From start to finish, the Urban Forestry program is hands-on. You'll be spending a lot of time working with trees and shrubs outside in addition to your time in the classroom. In the first semester, you will do a field placement, and be able to put your learning and practice to work.

The Outdoor and Adventure Education diploma program blends the development of people skills with the technical skills of outdoor pursuits, a dynamic combination that allows graduates to thrive in outdoor education and recreational settings. The program utilizes an experiential learning approach to teaching, allowing students to graduate with a solid resume of outdoor field experiences, certifications as well as other important skills such as facilitation, nature interpretation and adventure-based education strategies.

Trained outdoor leaders and facilitators offer safe, fun and educational outdoor programs and activities. These unique opportunities enable individuals or groups to stretch themselves physically, emotionally and socially in a supportive atmosphere. During this program, you will:

Improve your technical outdoor skills by participating in field courses such as, rock climbing, Nordic skiing, mountain biking, backpacking and bush craft.
Obtain certifications such as ORCKA Flat Water Canoeing Tandem and Solo, Certified Hike Leader, Wilderness First Responder, Ice Safety and Royal Lifesaving Bronze Cross.
Take courses covering diverse subjects including trip planning, risk management, trails design and construction, customer service and leadership.
Improve technical skill competencies in wilderness navigation, menu planning and cooking as well as knots, weather predicting and back country camping.
Increase your nature-based identification skills and improve your ecological and environmental awareness.

Love trees and want to help preserve our environment? With Fleming’s Arboriculture Co-op program, it’s possible to live in an urban setting and contribute to the environmental effort.

Program Highlights
As an Arboriculture graduate, you'll maintain and preserve trees and shrubs in the urban landscape and green spaces of our communities – providing cleaner air and much needed "green" relief from the concrete jungle.

• The program offers theoretical knowledge for all aspects of urban tree care, as well as such practical skills as safe tree climbing techniques, aerial rescue, pruning techniques, tree removal, power line clearing, and the operation and maintenance of relevant equipment.
• You will be able to identify approximately 140 species of trees and shrubs in both summer and winter conditions, and to diagnose and remedy major pests, disease, and tree disorders using the latest integrated management options to promote plant health.
• In 2nd semester, you can take the Arborist and Utility Arborist exemption exams, to qualify you for the in-school portion of these MAESD apprenticeships (there is no additional cost to you for your first attempt at writing these tests).

Work Experience

• From start to finish, the Arboriculture program is hands-on - you'll be spending a lot of time working with trees and shrubs outside in addition to your time in the classroom.
• There is a mandatory paid co-op semester from May to September.

The Geographic Information Systems Application Specialist is the "wizard" who provides technical expertise to produce effective and useful plans and project reports through the applied use of technology.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
GIS Application Specialists help various agencies and government do effective planning to manage all aspects of the environment and community life. For example, you might work on natural resources, agriculture, or community health projects. You'll be collecting information, and then distilling it to be put into a form that specialists and technicians can use.

• In this post-graduate, intensive GIS program you will use current, high-end technology tools to collect, store, manipulate, analyze, interpret, and communicate geographic information within a variety of disciplines.
• Fleming's leadership in this field has been recognized by industry, government and business through their support in establishing the Geomatics Institute at Fleming.
• These outstanding partnerships offer students access to the latest computer hardware, software, data resources and field technology used in the industry today, as well as unprecedented learning and employment opportunities.
• You will have plenty of opportunities to practice your skills in a work-like setting, with a student to computer ratio of one-to-one.

The Advanced Water Systems Operation and Management program will prepare graduates to work in water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater treatment, related work in industry, as well as inspection or enforcement.

Program Highlights
The operation and management of water and wastewater treatment systems to safeguard against water-borne diseases, and ensure a healthy environment in an efficient and sustainable manner are paramount in both public and private sector industries. The provision of potable water and the effective treatment of the municipal and industrial wastewater streams are growing fields in the environmental sector. The Ontario government has passed into law rigorous training requirements for water and wastewater treatment operators, in response to recommendations made in the Walkerton Commission of Inquiry reports. Under the Safe Water Drinking Act, operators require training and certification to run these systems safely. This one-year Graduate Certificate program in Advanced Water Systems Operations and Management will provide you with:

• The opportunity to do real, hands-on manipulation of equipment and data collection, learning about water systems operation in our labs and wet-work facilities.
• Faculty expertise to guide you in understanding government regulations on the treatment of water and wastewater in this highly regulated and changing industry.
• The knowledge needed to pass the Ministry of Environment Licensing and Certification exams for Water and Wastewater Operators.
• Project management skills, essential to your success in this field.
• Critical thinking and troubleshooting skills required to respond to emergency or non-routine situations as an operator or supervisor in this challenging field.
• Health and Safety knowledge and awareness training to assist graduates in a safe working career and progression into management roles.
• The knowledge and practical expertise to assist and lead organizations and government agencies in the provision of drinking water and the treatment of wastewater.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Throughout your Heavy Equipment Techniques program, you will study the overhaul, maintenance and repair of heavy equipment. Upon completion, you will have a comprehensive background in mechanical studies, preventative maintenance, safe shop practices, and equipment management systems.

WHY CHOOSE FLEMING
Studying Heavy Equipment skills at Fleming College pays off in several ways:

We are known for our up-to-date equipment, quality programs, high industry placement rate, and skilled, knowledgeable instructors.
Excellent relationships with the industry mean jobs - linking students to potential employment opportunities upon graduation.
Heavy Equipment Techniques students will have the opportunity to write 3 Levels of the Heavy Equipment Technician Exemption Common Core tests. Successful completion of the three examinations (70% minimum) will satisfy all in-school apprenticeship requirements for completion of a 421A Heavy Duty Equipment Technician apprenticeship, two levels of the 425A Agricultural Equipment Technician and 282E Powered Lift Truck Technician apprenticeships, and one level of the 310T Truck and Coach Technician apprenticeship.

If you have a love for the outdoors, a keen interest in fish and wildlife, and a commitment to responsible resource management, then the Fish and Wildlife Technician/Technology program may be for you.

The purpose of fish and wildlife management is to ensure that quality habitat exists in sufficient quantity for wild populations to flourish and, for game species, that they are managed in a sustainable manner. This requires knowledge not only about animals, but about their habitats and how people interact with them. Consequently, fish and wildlife management has evolved into a multidisciplinary science-based profession that takes our graduates in many directions, across Canada and beyond.

Program Highlights

• The theory and skills required by fish and wildlife professionals are taught through applied learning activities with a significant amount of time doing hands-on work in the lab and field.
• Third-semester students spend five weeks in field school, focusing on the topics of fisheries, wildlife, terrestrial habitats, wetlands, and freshwater ecology. These field schools introduce new skills such as: boat handling, GPS navigation, fish netting, sampling and tagging, electrofishing, habitat assessment, wetland classification, bird banding, and use of wildlife monitoring technologies. Through these activities, students will work together to collect, analyze and present the data over the remainder of the technician-level education and training.
• During field excursions you will learn about the logistics involved in the design and implementation of field projects.
• You will also spend considerable time in the outdoors learning mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish and plant identification skills, tracking animals and conducting wildlife surveys.

Optional Co-op
Students entering the program in September may apply to participate in an optional paid co-op. The deadline to apply is at the end of November, where students must submit an Application Form (including a resume) to the Co-op Office. Students must achieve a 70% (2.5 GPA) average, and pass all courses in Semester 1 in order to be enrolled in the Co-op Option. Students who are accepted will participate in a Career Preparation course, and will do their co-op between semesters 2 and 3. The Co-op Option provides the opportunity to:

• Integrate classroom learning with work-based learning
• Explore the variety of careers available in the field
• Network for future job opportunities

The Co-op Option is not available for students who begin the program in January, as they attend classes over the summer..

Why Choose Fleming

• Fleming College Fish and Wildlife Technician/Technology graduates have been the number one choice for employers in our industry for many years.
• Program graduates are eligible for advanced standing entry into many universities and can often complete a degree with two years of study.
• Fleming is one of only two colleges in the province offering a Fish and Wildlife program, and the only one located in southern Ontario.
• The comprehensive, challenging training you'll receive in this program, facilitated by faculty with experience in the field, ensures that you will obtain the well-rounded, relevant skills employers are seeking.

Pathway Program
If you do not meet the admission requirements for Fish and Wildlife Technician, consider the General Arts and Science - Environmental and Natural Resource Studies Option. This pathway program may provide the requirements you need for admission, while you earn credit for first semester of Fish and Wildlife Technician.

Contribute to healthy, inclusive, and sustainable communities through environmental land management and planning. This is the only post-grad program of its kind in Ontario.

Program Highlights
Our graduate certificate will turn your passion for creating more liveable, sustainable communities into a career in Canada’s environmental sector.

Throughout this intense program you will gain:

• Expertise in supporting the planning development of lands according to municipal, provincial and federal legislation and industry standards/procedures
• Practical experience in conducting environmental assessments and environmental impact studies
• Knowledge of industry standards for collection and analysis of water and soil samples in the field to aid in the study and modelling of environmental problems
• The ability to present spatial information using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications
• Project management skills as well as negotiation, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills to achieve goals within land use development projects and associated plans

This high demand skill set will prepare graduates for a wide variety of settings in the public, private or non-profit sectors. This program is specifically designed to support students transitioning into the Canadian environment.

The Sustainable Agriculture program is designed for new farmers seeking an intensive, applied learning experience in sustainable, ecological or natural farming methods.

Program Highlight
Throughout the Sustainable Agriculture program you will:

• Learn from experienced farmers and practitioners in class, on farm field days, and during panel discussions.
• Develop your own business case and farm plan.
• Focus on the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture and small farm operations and viability.
• Enjoy a highly interactive learning environment.

Co-op Experience
The 16-week, on-farm, co-op experience over the summer creates opportunities for specialization. Previous co-ops have included national and international farm locations as well as work with urban food advocacy groups and farmers.