Fleming College: Learn | Belong | Become

Ecological Restoration is an emerging discipline that focuses on assisting the recovery of degraded, damaged or destroyed ecosystems at specific project sites. Become a leader in the Science of Hope. Make your stand in the green revolution by helping to restore our natural environment for present and future generations.

Program Highlights

This new, collaborative Ecological Restoration program developed by Trent University and Fleming College provides a bold and innovative solution to this challenge. The program:

• Is interdisciplinary with a foundation of science-based curriculum.
• Is broad-based so that you will develop an understanding of the big picture - and comprehend ecological principles that can be transferred to any ecosystem and adapted to any project.
• Was designed to improve traditional college students' access to a university degree.
• Is integrated to combine applied learning, field skills and experience with theoretical and scientific knowledge and principles from day one.
• Provides opportunities for field camps, field courses and a capstone course.
• Encourages and supports students who seek out internships and international opportunities.
• Offers a unique combination of college and university cultures - the best of both worlds.

Advantages of the Ecological Restoration Joint Diploma/Degree

Through the collaboration between Trent and Fleming, faculty, teaching, field study courses, applied projects and resources are  shared over the four years of the program. 

• This integrated introduction to both academic cultures will prepare you for the transition from Fleming to Trent.
• The program is carefully designed so that you will truly understand the connections, relevance and fit between courses in the program of study.
• Both institutions are renowned for their environmental focus and commitment to providing support for students to achieve success.

You will begin this adventure by spending two years at Fleming College’s School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences in Lindsay. This School has a 40-year history of preparing graduates for employment in the environmental sector. Here, you will build on your science, math and communications skills while also practicing ecological restoration through field courses and project work.

Your next two years will be at Trent University in Peterborough, home to one of the first environmental programs to be established in Canada. At Trent, you can choose to either build towards a specialization, or continue to balance theory and practice in a more broad-based degree program.

Since this is an innovative diploma/degree model that infuses elements of both the college and university experience throughout the four-year years, you will not obtain your college diploma at the completion of your two years at Fleming College. Instead, you will graduate at the end of four years with both your college diploma and university degree in Ecological Restoration. (The distance between Fleming College's campus in Lindsay and Trent University in Peterborough is 45 kilometres, or about a 45-minute drive.)

What it Takes to Succeed

The program is challenging and sets a high standard of academic rigour. Our goal is to provide the support you need to achieve these standards but you must be prepared to:

• Dedicate study time necessary to achieve grade requirements in University Level courses - you must achieve a 65% average overall in the Environmental Science I course in Semester 1 in order to progress to Semester 2
• Achieve a 65% average overall in University Level courses across Year 1 and Year 2 in order to progress to Year 3
• Participate fully in field course activities and team-based projects (which may extend beyond regular class time)
• Take control of your learning by recognizing if you need help and taking advantage of opportunities to access assistance

If you do not achieve the academic standards required for entry into 5th semester at Trent University, there is a pathway into the 5th semester (3rd year) of the Fleming College Ecosystem Management Technology program, enabling you to obtain an Ontario College Advanced Diploma. Fleming College has reserved 4 spaces in the Ecosystem Management Technology program for this purpose. To be eligible, students must successfully complete all courses in years 1 and 2 of the Ecological Restoration Honours B.Sc. Joint Trent-Fleming program. If there are more applications than reserved seats available, a selection process based on an average of overall Ecological Restoration program marks will take place.

Career Opportunities

The environmental sector is experiencing a sustained boom as global awareness of environmental issues is now top-of-mind. Since 2001, growth in the environmental workforce has consistently outpaced overall growth of the Canadian workforce and is projected to continue to do so (ELM Profile of Canadian Environmental Employment - Environmental Labour Market Research, 2007). There's a significant shortage of environmental employees with the required science background, technical and soft skills mix to meet the demand. Employment opportunities are diverse and new career prospects are emerging - especially in the private sector - as corporations discover that green corporate citizenship initiatives contribute to both long-term sustainability and market share. Entry-level job titles include:

• Landscape Restoration Technician
• Shoreline Naturalization or Restoration Technician
• Watershed Planning Technician
• Wetland Habitat Technician, Habitat Restoration Technician

Positions requiring more experience include:

• Project Manager, Field and Stream Rescue Team
• Watershed Restorationist
• Stewardship Assistant
• Remediation Specialist
• Ecologist
• Biodiversity Conservation Biologist

Whether you choose to work in the public or private sector, you will be well-equipped with the comprehensive science foundation, plus the technical and field skills that the Honours B.Sc. in Ecological Restoration provides. You also have the flexibility to pursue graduate studies if you choose to do so.

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses
• 2 College (C) Math courses

1 College (C) Science (Grade 11 or Grade 12)*

* The following courses would meet the one (1) College Science requirement:

• All grade 11 and 12 SEN (Environmental Science) and SES (Earth and Space Science) and SGE (Science - Geology) . These courses are all under Electives but are science based.
• Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation (SNC3M)
• Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation (SNC4M)
• Grade 12, University/College Environmental & Resource Management (CGR4M)

When College (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

Recommended:

• College (C), University/College (U/C) or University (U/M) level courses in Chemistry, English and Biology. (Although recommended courses are not required for admission, you will be better prepared for this program.)

You apply to this program through the Ontario College Application Service: www.ontariocolleges.ca

Mature Students

If you are 19 years of age before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD,  you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.   All applicants will be required to achieve course credit in any mandatory English, Math and Science courses, through Secondary School or through Academic Upgrading programs.

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Applied Chemistry in Ecological Restoration	45.00
Applied Mathematics in Natural Resource Sciences	45.00
Critical Thinking and Communication	60.00
Ecosystem Skills	60.00
Environmental Science I	45.00
Geospatial Techniques	45.00
Semester 2
Environmental Science II	45.00
GIS Principles	45.00
Introduction to Ecology	45.00
Introductory Chemistry I	60.00
Readings in Environment and Restoration	45.00
Trees and Shrubs Of Ontario	45.00
Semester 3
Indigenous Environmental Studies I	45.00
Introduction to Plant Community Systematics	45.00
Introductory Chemistry II	60.00
Math I	45.00
Principles of Hydrogeology	60.00
Restoration Ecology Field Camp	80.00
Semester 4
Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment	45.00
Geomatics in Surveying	45.00
Indigenous Environmental Studies II	45.00
Math II	45.00
Methods in Environmental Science	45.00
Remote Sensing	45.00

Year 3: at Trent University

Essential Courses:

Environmental Ethics

Environment & Communications: Oral and Visual

Environment & Communications: Writing and Reporting

Field Course/Study

Optional Courses:

Ecology & Management of Wetland Systems

Environmental Chemistry

Environmental & Ecological Risk Assessment

Indigenous Peoples Health and the Environment

Limnology

Pollution Ecology

Soil Management & Conservation

Waste Management

 

Year 4: at Trent University

Essential Courses:

Advanced Ecological Design

Canadian Natural Resource Economics and Project Planning

Land Reclamation and Restoration of Stressed Sites

Restoration Ecology

Senior Seminar

Field Course Study

Optional Courses:

Climate Change

Community Based Research Project

Environmental Law & Regulation

Fate of Contaminants

Fisheries Assessment & Management

Geochemistry of Natural Waters

Greening of the Campus

Remote Sensing in the Environment

Sustainable Indigenous Communities

Thesis

Wetland Creation and Restoration: Habitat and Wastewater Treatment

Semester 1

Applied Chemistry in Ecological Restoration

Course Number: SCIE135

This course is designed to be an introduction to some of the basic principles of chemistry which the students will expand upon in Chemistry 1 and 2. The course will also familiarize the learner with topics such as matter and energy, atomic structure, properties and nomenclature of compounds, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, solutions, acids and bases. Students that feel they have the necessary background and training can write a challenge exam to be exempted from this course.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Applied Mathematics in Natural Resource Sciences

Course Number: MATH063

This course will enable students to apply specific mathematical concepts and acquire foundation skills important in the Natural Resource and Environmental Sciences. It is designed to complement and reinforce learning within other first semester courses and program areas.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Critical Thinking and Communication

Course Number: COMM131

Communication is an exciting and rewarding part of any career. Successful professional communication requires an understanding of both individual and organizational audiences and the ability to create effective messages for them. Critical Thinking and Communication will introduce students to the critical-thinking, problem-solving and professional communication and writing skills that are required in order to be successful advocates for ecological restoration, technical writers, and academic researchers and authors. Course content will develop skill in writing lab and field reports, academic essays and managing positive and negative messages. In this course students will learn to "see communication, understand it, and manage it." They will learn to recognise and analyse the rich examples of written and nonverbal communication found in personal and work experiences and in current ecological restoration issues as they appear in both popular and academic media. Students make an important contribution to this course in the study and experience of professional communication.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Ecosystem Skills

Course Number: ECOS013

This course will focus on three areas of study: identification, field and lab skills. Students will identify and classify the living and non-living components of the specific ecosystems described in the Ecology and Environment (ENVR 20) course. Field skills to be developed include the ability to navigate through the natural environment and use a variety of ecosystem inventory techniques. Special emphasis will be placed on safe work habits in lab and field.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Environmental Science I

Course Number: SCIE118

Environmental Science is a university level foundation course introducing the scientific principles required for an understanding of environmental problems and solutions in our highly technological society. Emphasis will be placed upon developing scientific literacy for students in key areas of concern such as energy use and sustainability, globalisation, human population dynamics and waste management.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Geospatial Techniques

Course Number: GEOM036

This course is designed around the four pillars of Geomatics: Remote Sensing, Cartography, Surveying and GIS. Students will develop entry-level skills in data capture, surveying, (computer) drafting, principles of remote sensing, air photo interpretation, and in usage of representative Geomatics-related software.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 2

Environmental Science II

Course Number: SCIE119

Environmental Science is a university level foundation course introducing the scientific principles required for an understanding of environmental problems and solutions in our highly technological society. Emphasis will be placed upon developing scientific literacy for students in key areas of concern such as energy use and sustainability, globalisation, human population dynamics and waste management.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

GIS Principles

Course Number: GEOM021

As one of the pillars of Geomatics, GIS is the science of deriving, determining, and communicating spatial relationships between and within geographic features. This course will provide the student with the fundamental principles supporting the two main spatial data models, vector and raster, and will introduce concepts of spatial relationships and preliminary spatial analysis.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introduction to Ecology

Course Number: ECOS027

Introduction to Ecology offers an examination of the interactions between organisms and their environment at the individual, population and community level. The course will cover basic concepts, theories and methods used in ecology and the application of these to ecological and environmental problems.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introductory Chemistry I

Course Number: SCIE120

This course introduces the fundamental theories, measurements, calculations and laboratory methods required to apply chemistry principles to applications in organic and inorganic chemistry. The course also provides an introduction to biochemistry. The integrated course concept and its relevance to environmental science is illustrated below.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Readings in Environment and Restoration

Course Number: COMM137

Readings in Environment and Restoration will introduce students to literature that illuminates and serves as the foundation of the disciplines of restoration ecology and environmental studies. It will provide students with an opportunity to study and contextualize the major themes of these disciplines as they are expressed through poetry, narrative and discursive prose. It will begin with a brief overview of the European religious views of nature represented in literature from the Middle Ages to Renaissance and contrast these with the scientific world-view of the 18th Century. We will then consider the significant redefinition of the environment and human nature in the 19th Century through the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Jack London. Finally, we will examine the emergence of the modern ecological restoration movement in seminal texts by Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, Edward Abbey, and native novelist Leslie Marmon Silko. As well, we will examine various selected readings, including poets Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, William Carlos Williams, Robinson Jeffers, and Gary Snyder.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Trees and Shrubs Of Ontario

Course Number: FSTY050

This course deals with the identification of approximately 100 species of trees and shrubs of importance to those managing the forests resources of Ontario. Throughout the semester identification features for common trees and shrubs in both summer and winter condition are introduced and applied. A number of field trips are utilized to assist students with their identification skills. In the weekly lecture series topics such as tree growth, reproduction, photosynthesis, respiration, forest ecology and uses of trees will be introduced. At the completion of the course students will have a sound working knowledge of dendrology. The skills introduced in this semester may then be used in following semesters when working with Forest Ecosystem Classification, Restoration Ecology, Conservation Planning and other habitat management situations.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 3

Indigenous Environmental Studies I

Course Number: ECOS031

In this course students will be given the opportunity to explore Indigenous worldviews, environmental philosophies, values and ways-of-life through exposure to the perspectives of traditional Indigenous Teachings, lectures, and guest speakers. This course will cover such topics as approaches to studying the environment, the impact of colonization and colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and their environment. Students will also investigate Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives on Indigenous Environmental Knowledge and its use and application in environmental management with special attention being paid to interactions between Indigenous knowledge and western science. This course is designed to encourage students to use Indigenous Knowledge and western science, as well as knowledge from the social sciences, to develop sustainable resolutions to specific environmental issues currently facing Indigenous communities.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introduction to Plant Community Systematics

Course Number: FSTY075

Introduction to Plant Community Systematics introduces students to concepts in systematic classification with an emphasis on local flora. The course is fundamental to the understanding of relationships, both evolutionary and ecological, among plant and animal communities; their roles in the ecosystem, and the underlying reasons for their geographical distributions. The importance of plant taxonomy in ecological restoration will be explored in terms of rebuilding viable communities based on the historical data, current conditions and the appropriate plant associations that can be reconstructed.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introductory Chemistry II

Course Number: SCIE121

This course introduces the fundamental theories, measurements, calculations and laboratory methods required to apply chemistry principles to applications in organic and inorganic chemistry. The course also provides an introduction to biochemistry. The integrated course concept and its relevance to environmental science is illustrated below.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Math I

Course Number: MATH086

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of descriptive and inferential statistics with an emphasis on inference. The major topics include methods of analysing sets of data, probability, probability distributions, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, simple linear regression and correlation. Course concepts are applied to the natural sciences.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Principles of Hydrogeology

Course Number: GEOL021

This course introduces the fundamental theories and applications of groundwater studies. Lecture topics will include basic principles of groundwater, aquifer investigation, wells, groundwater management, and groundwater geotechniques. Lab efforts will be directed to hydraulic conductivity determinations, flow nets, pump tests, piezometric tests, and uses of test data.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Restoration Ecology Field Camp

Course Number: APST083

This field course provides students with exposure to the principles and practices in ecosystem restoration. Ongoing or completed projects addressing both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems will be visited thus exposing students to current techniques in the field. Students will get the opportunity to further develop their skills in taxonomical classification, ecosystem monitoring, and ecosystem assessment.

Units: 80.00
Hours: 80.00

Semester 4

Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment

Course Number: ECOS007

This course provides students with technical skills and knowledge related to monitoring and assessing ecosystem health and change in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. An emphasis will be placed on scientific methodology, report-writing skills, and experimental design principles. Students will also become familiar with the federal and provincial Environmental Assessment acts.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Geomatics in Surveying

Course Number: SURV018

This course places the emphasis on the fundamental principles of Geomatics as they apply to Surveying. Electronic instruments will be used with emphasis on data loggers to obtain field positions with features and attribute data. These field locations and attributes will be used to create GIS related survey plans. Coordinate Geometry will be used in the computation of boundaries areas and volumes. The GIS features will be implemented using practical field projects and the projects will be related to land information systems.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Indigenous Environmental Studies II

Course Number: ECOS030

This course will be an extension of Indigenous Environmental Studies I and will continue to explore the relationship between Indigenous communities and their environment and the connections between western science and Indigenous and local knowledge systems.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Math II

Course Number: MATH087

A continuation of Math I, this course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of descriptive and inferential statistics with an emphasis on inference. The major topics include methods of analysing sets of data, probability, probability distributions, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, simple linear regression and correlation.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Methods in Environmental Science

Course Number: SCIE136

The primary objective of this course is to provide the student with the theoretical and practical knowledge of the different methods that practitioners use in the field and the different techniques used to assess impacts on the environment and understand basic ecosystem processes.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Remote Sensing

Course Number: GEOM041

Geographic Information Systems are using many new remote sensing computer programs to build and analyse map features. This course introduces the basic physical concepts and the major imaging systems employed in remote sensing. Spatial and spectral resolution of the image is processed and interpreted to create map features and design and to build the database.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Degree studies in Ecological Restoration. Making an informed decision.

The staff and faculty of the Trent-Fleming Ecological Restoration degree program want our students to succeed.

We also want to help ensure that pursuing a degree-level education is the best decision for you.

The four year educational experience in Ecological Restoration will be a challenge but can lead to significant personal and intellectual growth. It will also afford you an opportunity to make a difference in a world whose ecology is under threat.

The purpose of the resources you are about to explore is to help you make an informed decision about entering the Ecological Restoration program. As with most professions and areas of degree study, the program is not for everybody; it presents significant intellectual challenges and has a heavy workload.

If you are curious, ask questions, and like to apply knowledge in new ways, then a degree education may be for you. If you are prepared to read "a lot," analyze, think critically and develop efficient and polished communication skills, then you can succeed.

Take time to look at the degree "basics," Frequently Asked Questions and the sample course materials. If you have additional questions or would like to explore course readings please contact us.

Degree-level studies - the basics

Class, study, research time per week

• High school
  • 30 hours class time,
  • 5 hours homework per week
  • Total = 35 hours
• Degree program
  • approximately 15 hours class time
  • up to 3 hours self-directed study for each hour of class time-45 hours
  • Total = 60 hours
  • A part-time job of more 10 hours would be a challenge

Studying and testing

• Course readings will not always be taken up in class
• Students will need to identify the importance of the readings, summarize them and make connections between the readings and the themes and issues of the course
• Your understanding and mastery of course material will often be measured by whether you can
  • apply it to new situations
  • solve new problems
  • make connections and synthesize course materials

In Class

• Your professors will expect you to use the course outline they provide to follow readings and prepare for class
• Lectures and class discussion can be related to the readings in a number of ways; they may discuss the readings but may instead address related research, examples/cases or the background and history of the topic
• You will need to take generous notes in lectures and seminars and review them to understand how the professors structured and developed the material they presented and the responses and questions of students.

Critical thinking - a degree-level skill

Critical thinking is strongly emphasized in a degree-level education.

Here is a simple example drawn from the study of communication - something we all do.

Communication courses - like the one in the first-term of the Ecological Restoration degree - often begin by providing language and concepts to describe the subject.

Non-degree course - applying ideas/concepts

A single model describing communication events would be taught.

The set of terms/concepts in that model would include:

• The message being communicated
• The sender of the message
• The audience for the message
• The context or set of circumstances in which the message is sent

It is necessary for the sender to understand what message needs to be sent and how best to express it for the audience. These concepts would be applied when creating messages - presentations, email, letters, reports and essays.

Degree-level course - critical thinking about ideas/concepts

Several models describing communication would be taught. They would not all have the same concepts or describe communication in exactly the same way.

The nature and purpose of communication theories and models generally would be addressed. Why do we need models at all? Where did these communication models come from? Should we use just one model to describe communication or are models like a carpenter's tools - different tools for different tasks or problems? Where does a particular model work well and help us understand communication and where does it fall short? What evidence are we choosing to use as we discuss these issues?

The individual concepts within the models also need to be examined as part of this critical process of weighing different models and the insights they provide. For example, the concept "audiences" might describe individuals, groups and organizations. Is it too "big" and imprecise a concept to be helpful? "Audiences" - like students in class - are often sending as many messages as they receive. Are the concepts of "audience" and "sender" actually distinct?

Students would be encouraged to consider how best to apply these models to practical communication and to reflect on what model would work best.

Overview

In this section of the website, you can look at

• the Environmental and Resource Studies first-year course syllabus (outline)
• a Field Study Assignment
• a Bioregional Inventory Assignment

Environmental Science 100 is one of six courses in the first term of the Ecological Restoration degree. The assignments and the amount and type of reading and study ERSC 100 requires are typical of degree studies.

What do the course syllabus and the assignments demonstrate about degree-level work in Ecological Restoration?

Have a close look at the materials. You may notice the following.

• The course syllabus
  • You are expected to prepare for each class and ask questions
  • You will need to spend 8-10 hours per week on the class
  • Weekly reading is 10-40 pages
  • You are expected to integrate course material and lectures
  • "Big picture" thinking is required
• Assignment #1 - Field Study: Patterns in vegetation and their environmental implications
  • Student directed, independent work
  • Potential to be creative and original
  • Research, observation and writing are all required
• Assignment #2 - Bioregional inventory
  • No right answers - only "more and less sophisticated answers"
  • Critical thinking is expected
    • your assumptions must be made explicit
    • your method must also be made explicit
    • both can then be examined and questioned by others

Frequently Asked Questions

Will getting a degree in Ecological-restoration be more difficult than high-school or a non-degree program?

Yes it will be more difficult for most students. You will do more reading and writing about more challenging and abstract ideas. More independence is required of the student. More critical thinking about and questioning of material is necessary.

I didn't do that well in high-school. Is the Ecological Restoration degree for me?

That depends on why you weren't so successful in high-school.

If you were genuinely applying yourself to your studies and work habits were not an issue, you might want to have a close look at the sample readings and assignments elsewhere on this site. These are the sorts of challenges you will face.

Some people struggle in high-school for personal reasons or lack of motivation. If your situation has changed, and you are now more certain of your direction and excited to be applying to the Ecological Restoration degree, it may be a good choice for you. This is particularly true if you have already returned to school and had some success. Again, look carefully at the sample readings and assignments.

Aim high but be realistic.

I have been out of school for some time. Should I consider applying?

Yes you should. The greatest challenge for those who have been academically successful but have been out of school more than a year is that their reading and writing skills become rusty. The fall term starts quickly, and you may need to seek extra academic support to rediscover your skills.

How much reading and writing will I need to do?

You will likely do three times as much reading and writing as you would in a non-degree program or high school.

Do I need to be good at science and math?

The Ecological Restoration degree is a full science degree and requires solid math skills in the majority of its courses. Please have a look at the list of courses on this site.

How is a degree program different than a non-degree program? I've heard that college programs are practical and university programs are theoretical. Which is Ecological Restoration?

These are not simple questions, since there are many types of degrees and non-degree credentials. Here are a few basic differences:

• Degree programs are longer - usually 4 years.
• They balance theoretical and practical learning differently than non-degree programs - although the balance of theoretical and practical will often vary by academic year. Theories, critical thinking, and research methods and their history are usually studied in greater detail in degree programs.

The best way to understand how theory and practice are balanced in the Ecological Restoration degree is to have a look at the sample course outline and assignments elsewhere on this site.

What do I need to do to succeed?

Good work habits, time management skills, class attendance, love of exploring important ideas, a willingness to get your hands dirty - and motivation

The Ecological-Restoration degree is delivered by Fleming College and Trent University. Does that make it different than a degree offered solely by a university or a college?

• No single model of a "degree" exists. The mix of "theory" and practical or "hands-on" learning within the curriculum of degrees varies according to subject area.
• The Ecological-Restoration degree vigorously mixes "big picture" thinking and hands-on learning in a unique way thanks to having the resources of both Fleming and Trent and faculty with diverse backgrounds as researchers, practitioners and educators.