College of Applied Biologists

Winning Proposals — Writing to Secure Funding – Online – January 28th, 2025
2025-01-28 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Online
This MicroCourse is dedicated to helping those responsible for responding to requests for proposals or grant applications achieve greater success in their efforts. Successful proposal writing requires understanding the value of persuasion, knowing what to include to be competitive, appreciating what not to include, and striking the correct tone to inspire confidence by the reader. In this course, the instructor(s) will share tactics and techniques they have learned over decades of writing proposals and grant applications, and strategies and considerations that will allow your writing to rise to the top of the candidate pile.

Drone Applications in Environmental Surveying – Online – January 23rd, 2025
2025-01-23 13:00 - 17:00
In this course several models of drones and their applications in today’s environmental field work will be explored. Topics covered will include – an overview of models of drones – some of the important regulations regarding drone use around the world and setting up flights, capturing data, and processing the data for powerful use of the derived information.

Field Safety — Preparation – Online – January 22nd & 27th, 2025
2025-01-22 09:00 - 2025-01-27 11:00
This MicroCourse dives into the foundational elements of safe fieldwork planning, equipping you with the strategies, documentation practices, and data-processing techniques necessary to ensure a productive and secure experience. But beyond methodological rigor, a critical component is often overlooked: planning for your safe and healthy return.

Wetland Assessment – Online, January 21st – 22nd, 2025
2025-01-21 09:00 - 2025-01-22 16:00
Wetland Assessment is an applied, two-day, online with a student led field component course focusing on the step-by-step process of how to characterize, classify, and delineate wetlands in Canada and the northern United States.

Advanced Fish Sampling – Online – January 20th, 2024
2025-01-20 10:00 - 14:00
This MicroCourse is intended for the purpose, to draw on decades of experience capturing and sampling fish to provide students tips, tricks, and strategies to not only set the gear but also to do so in manners to increase catch, while also reducing impacts to trapped fish or mammalian and avian bycatch. The course will build on the basics and refine strategies for use of the most commonly used freshwater sampling methods (minnow traps, Fyke net, seines, snorkeling).

Advanced Electrofishing – Online – January 17th, 2025
2025-01-17 10:00 - 14:00
To assist practitioners in capturing more fish when doing this work, NRTG’s Advanced Electrofishing MicroCourse provides students with lessons learned over decades on how to effectively capture fish using this tool.

Fish Habitat Restoration — Stream Morphology Assessment – Online – January 16th, 2025
2025-01-16 10:00 - 14:00
In this MicroCourse, you’ll explore the different types of channel morphologies, the conditions that create them, and their stability over time. You’ll also learn about the challenges of working within dynamic channel systems. Through the use of photographs, topographic imagery, and channel cross-sections, participants will develop the skills to accurately identify channel morphologies and pinpoint reference reaches, essential for guiding successful stream restoration projects.

Avenza Maps for Planning, Navigating & Collecting Data for Environmental Use – Online – January 14th, 2025
2025-01-14 13:00 - 17:00
This course will demonstrate how to effectively use Avenza Maps alongside traditional tools like hand maps and compasses, allowing you to navigate the field with confidence. Applications like Avenza Maps enable users to access their current GPS location while in the field, making travel and data collection easier.

Lake Management Techniques – Online, January 8th-9th, 2025
2025-01-08 09:00 - 2025-01-09 17:00
Lake management requires key skills and knowledge required to study and sample the physical, chemical, and biological properties of lakes. This two-day course includes instructor-led presentations, as well as ample ‘hands on’ student application through discussions, breakout groups and exercises.

Fish Habitat Restoration — Primer on Stream Hydrology – Online – January 7th, 2025
2025-01-07 10:00 - 14:00
In this MicroCourse, you’ll explore different types of flow and learn how flow dynamics impact water quality and habitats. Through engaging videos and field-based photos, you’ll gain the skills to interpret real-world stream conditions. By the end of the course, participants will have a strong foundation in stream hydraulics, with the ability to identify and explain flow types and apply this knowledge to habitat assessments, water quality sampling, and stream restoration design.

Environmental Law and Liability
2025-03-05 09:00 - 12:00
In this presentation by EGBC, Michael Manhas will discuss Canadian environmental law and liability risks faced by those working in the area. The presentation will start with an overview of the legal landscape with reference to key environmental statutes, including jurisdiction over the environment and how environmental laws approach regulation. The presentation will then discuss important developments in environmental in recent years. Finally, the presentation will discuss liability risks faced by environmental practitioners, with reference to case studies from reported court decisions.

Shorebird Course
2024-11-07 18:00 - 2024-11-28 20:30
This new 4-week VARC workshop will teach you the techniques to help you to learn, identify and appreciate the amazing diversity of shorebirds of Vancouver and the Pacific northwest!

Aboriginal Consultation / Negotiating a Consultation Agreement - Two-day Workshop
2024-10-29 - 2024-10-31, 2024-10-22 - 2024-10-24
Online workshop presented by Mâwandônan Consulting and designed to provide practical solutions to those who want to better consult with Aboriginal People/Industry or are in a position that requires that they engage Aboriginal People/Industry (I.E. Stakeholder Relations, Consultation Department, Community Relations, Chief and Council, Surface Land, Aboriginal Relations). These solutions are based on the combined expertise of a First Nation law graduate who has worked for both Industry and Aboriginal groups for over 25 years and a First Nation Consultant who has been in business since 1996 and has worked specifically in the area of Aboriginal Consultation since 2010.

Introduction to Hydrogeology and Groundwater Management
2024-11-13
This seminar presented by EGBC is tailored towards attendees who wish to have a better understanding of hydrogeological and groundwater management concepts.

Analysis and Visualization of Groundwater Contamination
2024-10-15 09:00 - 2024-10-31 12:00
Groundwater contamination is a widespread issue at both current and historical chemical manufacturing or storage sites, involving contaminants such as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), solvents, petroleum products, dissolved metals, and pesticides. Whether you are assessing risk, selecting a remediation strategy, or conducting forensic analysis to identify the potential sources of contamination, a foundational understanding of groundwater data is essential. This course presented by GeoEnviroPro is designed for a diverse audience, including scientists new to the field of environmental contamination, project managers, environmental policy and regulatory professionals, and environmental legal counsel. No mathematical background is required.

Wetland Assessment – Online
2024-11-05 - 2024-11-06, 2024-09-24 - 2024-09-25
Presented by NRTG, Wetland Assessment is an applied, two-day, fully online course focusing on the step-by-step process of how to characterize, classify, and delineate wetlands in Canada and the northern United States.

Avian Nest Sweeps and Monitoring Methods – Online
2024-11-05 - 2024-11-06
NRTG’s two-day, fully-online Avian Nest Sweeps and Monitoring Methods training program will train participants to perform efficient, effective, and ecologically responsible nest sweeps for breeding birds. After completing this course participants will understand the regulatory and environmental drivers behind this practice and be prepared to plan and conduct these specialized surveys.

Interpreting Fish Habitat Assessment Information – Online
2024-10-29 10:00 - 14:00
This Micro-Course presented by NRTG describes ways to assess and interpret collected information to draw inferences on fish use based on habitat in a defensible manner. Participants are assumed to have working knowledge of the standard stream fish habitat assessment methods. This course focusses on interpreting the habitat as: (1) the fish sees it and (2) indicators of general channel, water, and fish health. Interpreting Fish Habitat Assessment Information is intended for fisheries people responsible for analyzing and interpreting field collected data. This is a companion Micro-Course to Planning and Designing Fish Habitat Assessments.

Working in and About Water – Online
2024-10-29 - 2024-10-30
Presented by NRTG, the two-day Working in and About Water – Legislation, Regulations and Responsibilities course is a comprehensive, fully-online training program designed to address a long-time need to clarify the processes, regulations and constraints involved in working in and around water. This applied program includes online presentation, discussion, break-out groups, and exercises to provide students with a working knowledge of environmental legislation in Canada.

Land Guardian Program – Online
2024-10-28 - 2024-11-29
NRTG’s Land Guardian Program (LGP) addresses the growing demand for skilled and certified guardians employed within communities, industries, and non-profit organizations. This five-week (200-hour) program integrates engaging lectures, applied field training, realistic case studies, scenarios, and exercises to build practical skills, technical knowledge, and enhance analytical and critical thinking abilities.

Introduction to Fish Habitat Measurement and Assessment – Online
2024-10-23 10:00 - 14:00
In this immersive course by NRTG, participants will dive deep into understanding fish habitat and its critical role across seasons and life stages, with a focus on stream-dwelling salmonids. Presenters will break down habitat units like pools, riffles, runs, and glides, to show how these features support thriving fish populations. Students will also explore the essential roles of riparian zones, woody debris, and in-stream cover, and learn how to recognize disturbances caused by forestry, agriculture, and human development.

Species at Risk – Online
2024-10-22 - 2024-10-23
Presented by NRTG, Species at Risk is an applied, two-day, fully online course focusing on how to determine which species at risk are known to occur in a particular area, how to identify potential habitat opportunities, and how to assign a relative potential for that species to be present.

Cultural Heritage Assessment and Monitoring – Online
2024-10-21 - 2024-10-23
Cultural Heritage Assessment and Monitoring introduces participants to cultural resource management by providing methods of conducting assessments of traditional plants, wildlife and riparian features. In this course participants will consider pressures on the landscape, the cultural features of the land, and techniques that can be used to protect these features. Additionally, options for both short-term and long-term monitoring are explored with a cultural heritage lens. Presented by NRTG, this program provides practical Inventory skills in the field utilizing visits to heritage, local, and community locations.

Winning Proposals – Writing to Secure Funding – Online
2024-10-08 10:00 - 14:00
Writing persuasive proposals is a key skill for people working in consulting, for students in academia, for non-profit organizations seeking funding, and for Indigenous agencies looking to do some work on their land. Winning Proposals is a MicroCourse delivered by NRTG and dedicated to helping those responsible for responding to requests for proposals or grant applications achieve greater success in their efforts.

Fish Health Level 1: Introduction to Basic Fish Health Management
2024-11-12 - 2024-11-15
This course offered by VIU’s Natural Resources Extension Program focuses on the key principles of fish health management for aquaculture (hatcheries and net pen) and aquarium fishes. The theoretical components emphasize recognition of what is ‘non-normal’ in fish husbandry settings, along with covering types of diseases (i.e., environmental, pathogenic, parasitic or genetic), prevention and mitigation, and proper techniques for fish sampling and biosecurity.

Plant Identification Level 2 – Online
2024-10-10 10:00 - 2024-10-17 12:00
In the Plant Identification Level 2 MicroCourse presented by NRTG, participants will delve deeper into important botanical terminology to enhance familiarity with various plants encountered in nature. Attendees will also explore the anatomy of difficult plant groups and discuss which characteristics to note and photograph when initiating species identification.

Fundamentals of Soil Sampling I: Soil Texturing – Online
2024-09-23 10:00 - 14:00
This course presented by NRTG is designed for individuals across various disciplines who require precise soil classification skills. This online course offers a hands-on approach, where students will engage in live soil texture analysis sessions to gain a thorough understanding of soil textures. Using simple tools, participants will learn various techniques for accurate soil classification and validation.

Construction Monitoring — Spill Prevention and Response at the Construction Site – Online
2024-09-20 13:00 - 17:00
At NRTG’s Spill Prevention and Response at the Construction Site micro-course, participants will learn best practices for safely storing, handling, and swiftly responding to spills involving releases of fuels, hydraulic fluids, coolant, battery acid, and other hazardous liquids. The training showcases cutting-edge equipment and materials, ensuring attendees are equipped with the latest tools and knowledge to safeguard construction projects.
