Special Notes/Delivery Conditions (Environmental Technician)

DATES TO BE UPDATED (posted 6/8/18)

This page identifies and explains any special conditions and/or other qualifiers around the delivery of this program, at either the main Thunder Bay Campus, or at one of our Regional Campuses.

Program Orientation

 You will meet with your Program Coordinator on Tuesday, September 8 in the McIntyre Building Room 274. 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 (M274)

  • Environmental Technician Program : 9:30am
  • Forest Ecosystem Management Technician Program : 11:00am

 

 There will be a mandatory half-day College-wide session on Wednesday, September 9th;  the session you attend will be different depending upon which program you are registered in.  More information on this session will be available on Tuesday, September 8.

  • Forest Ecosystem Management Technician Program : 9:00am- 11:00Am
  • Environmental Technician Program : 2:00pm-4:00pm
Field School Orientation

We will meet again on Wednesday, September 9 in M274 for Field School Orientation and Planning.  A $20.00 (cash) refundable deposit will be required to sign out a plant press.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 (M274)

  • Environmental Technician Program : 9:00am
  • Forest Ecosystem Management Technician Program : 2:00pm

 

Field School

The first two weeks of classes in the Forest Ecosystem Management and Environmental Programs are dedicated to Fall Field School (NR180). In first year, starting Thursday, September 10, this involves daily travel to the forests surrounding Thunder Bay, returning to the College each evening. Field school attendance is mandatory as this is a credit course and much of the fall’s course work is based on these two weeks.

First Aid

Students are required to have a valid first aid certificate (16-hour Standard course with CPR) for any co-op placement and to graduate from either program.  If you already have this certification, please bring or fax a copy to your Coordinator at (807) 473-3741 to receive credit.  We will be organizing a weekend course during the fall semester for those who need it.

Students are responsible for the following personal items:

  • a hardhat, high visibility colour
  • a quality compass with adjustable declination and sighting mirror (e.g. Suunto MC-2)
  • steel-toed, steel shank work boots (green tag)
  • high visibility safety vest (tear-away design)
  • safety glasses
  • gloves
  • a rain suit
  • a math pocket calculator (Texas Instruments TI-36x required)
  • a navigational protractor and a clear plastic metric ruler
  • a hard-cover, bound field journal for daily field notes (which will be used as a basis for marks in several courses; “Rite-in-the-Rain” #310 is recommended)

As well, you will need a few additional items for plant identification field exercises.

  • hand pruning shears (secateurs)
  • 10x hand lens/loupe
  • hand trowel
  • clear plastic bags for delicate samples
  • newspaper and cardboard for plant press
  • green masking tape or removable “flags” & permanent markers
  • 2H pencils

Please remember to pack a substantial lunch and water for your long days in the field!  Dress for the weather, knowing that you will sometimes be walking through thick brush.  If you have mobility issues on uneven ground, a walking stick would be helpful.

Textbooks (needed for Field School)

The following books are required for the common courses between the two programs.  They will be used during the fall Field School as well as the rest of the first semester.  (Some are also used in the second semester.)  All of these books are available in the College Bookstore in August, and many are available elsewhere.

  1. NR180 Field School Manual 2015, available at Field School for $25.
  2. Farrar, J.L. 1995. Trees in Canada.  ISBN 1-55041-199-3 (CD also available online)
  3. A plant ID book suitable for the region.  We recommend one of the following :  Chambers et al. 1996.  Forest Plants of Central Ontario. Lone Pine Publishing. 448pp.  ISBN 1-55105-061-7, available in the College Bookstore. Johnson et al. 1995.  Plants of the Western Forest.  Lone Pine Publishing. 392pp.  ISBN 978-1-55105-845-0, and Newmaster et al. 1997. Wetland Plants of Ontario. Lone Pine Pub.. ISBN 1-55105-059-5 are also good, if you can find them.
  4. NR110 Tree & Shrub ID Lab Manual 2015, available only from College Bookstore.

Other textbooks will be required when you start classes after Field School.