ObjectivesStudy and be trained in an innovative 47-week, fast track, Forestry Technician college diploma program. We are the most practical and field oriented Forestry Technician program in Ontario. At least 30 percent of your time will be outdoors in a diversity of landscapes. You will be actively using Algonquin Park, the Petawawa Research Forest, County forests, Crown lands, and private woodlots.
This program provides you with the basic knowledge, technical and entrepreneurial skills necessary to participate in the management of our natural resources for timber and non-timber values by the forest industry, sustainable forest licence holders, private land owners and ministries. Safety and professionalism will be emphasized. You will be trained to collect a variety of forest resources data, compile and analyze this data, and make recommendations for its use. You will gain a working knowledge of the practices and procedures to support various resource operations. You will obtain experience in the planning, execution and monitoring of forest, environment, ecosystem and wildlife management activities.
Opportunities will be provided to obtain a variety of industry and government certificates and licenses.
This course covers basic computer skills that students need to succeed in college and in the workplace. Students will gain experience using the college standard, e-learning software Blackboard. Topics covered include: effective use of email, email attachments and word processing. Also covered is the management of data using spreadsheets, as well as graphic presentation of spreadsheet information. Effective internet searching is discussed, as well as sources of internet mapping information.
ENL7777 Communications I
Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.
FOR7310 The Forest Environment
Students practise the basic skills required in forestry throughout Canada. Students will interpret and determine areas, coordinates, compass directions and distances from basemaps, topographic maps and Forest Resource Inventory maps and apply this information in the field. Field inventories will be conducted using equipment to determine a tree's age, basal area, diameter, height, location and tally.
FOR7311 Dendrology I
This course concentrates on the identification of local forest vegetation in the summer and winter conditions. The environmental requirements of the major shrub and tree species are introduced.
FOR7312 Ecology
This natural science course examines the silvics of tree species, which deals with the growth and development of single trees, and of forests, in their natural environments. Awareness will be gained to the dynamics and succession of forest ecosystems and how they respond to changes in their landscape. Students will gain a broader understanding of how trees function in a park, private woodlot, forested or wilderness setting. As we move into the 21st century, it is every citizen's responsibility to ensure that our rich natural resources, including our forests, are appreciated and conserved by all.
FOR7314 Soils and Landforms
This course explores the characteristics of common forest soils with emphasis on the physical, chemical and biological features. Students spend a portion of time in the field examining soil texture and profile, and the correlation between landforms and forest landscapes.
FOR7315 Remote Imagery
Students develop the ability to interpret aerial photographs and satellite images at different scales. They study natural, man-made, landform, and tree species features. Photogrammetry will be applied. Orienteering oneself, in the forest, using compass and aerial photos are practised.
FOR7316 Wildlife
Students learn to identify various species of wildlife. Special emphasis is placed on the identification and management of forest hawk habitat. The management of fur bear and ungulate populations are covered. Field surveys are done to assess aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitats. Techniques for the installation of buffers, to protect wildlife values, will be practised in the field. Evaluation and classification of wetlands is also discussed. Other topics include: radio telemetry, aerial fish stocking and stream survey.
FOR7322 Forest Health
This course combines the identification and management of diseases and insects that affect forest trees. Trees are graded for their potential as growing stock. Tree cavities are also studied. Several field trips are used to place special emphasis on the study of tree defects for selection tree marking. Logging techniques to minimize the damage to residual trees are also discussed. Students are introduced to tree defects related to log scaling.
Level 2
ENL7677 Technical Communication - Forestry Technician
This course helps you to develop technical communication skills. Topics include: written and oral forestry-related reports; technical writing style; employment correspondence and resumes; locating, evaluating and documenting forestry information; interpreting and using graphics; and other communication skills required by forest technicians in today's workplace.
FOR7313 Geographic Information Systems
This is an introductory course to the analysis of digitized spatial data. Students practise basic skills in manipulating and presenting data with emphasis on applications in natural resources management. ArcGIS software package will be used.
FOR7321 Mensuration
Students determine the growth and yield of trees and forest stands. The course emphasizes methods and techniques of various forest inventories, compiling tallies, analysis of data and auditing of work. Students will learn to create a stand and stock table. They will also understand the essential parts of a contract and appreciate how a bid is conducted.
FOR7324 Silviculture
Students study silviculture systems, site preparation, reforestation, tending, thinning, and vegetation control. Emphasis is placed on a good understanding of the selection and shelterwood silviculture system so students can apply their knowledge in the tree marking course. Students learn to make recommendations concerning silvicultural treatments to contribute to the development of forest operations prescriptions. Several field exercises help students comprehend the course material. Examples of field activities include: brushsaw operations, stand analysis of tolerant hardwood forest, tree planting, inspection of areas harvested with the shelterwood system.
FOR7325 Harvesting
This course explores the regulations, licences, equipment, methods, processes, and layouts employed in different harvesting systems. Careful logging and compliance monitoring are studied in detail. The planning, scheduling and costing of operations are practised. Students will learn the basic entrepreneurial skills for logging operations.
FOR7327 Fire Management
Students will learn the organizational structure and practices used to control forest fires. Initial attack procedures will be studied. The use of prescribed fire as a forest management tool is explored. Students will gain an understanding of the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System. Forest industry involvement to assess fire danger and perform compliance inspections of fire equipment is also covered. Field exercises involving the use of fire pumps and hose enhance student learning. A modest testing fee will be charged for those students attempting the SP102 Forest Industry Fire Certification. Depending on the level of student interest, the SP100 Forest Fire Training will also be offered for an additional fee and time commitment.
FOR7340 Arboriculture
In this course, students are introduced to the care of trees within an urban and urban-interface environment. Students will practise using the different tools for this discipline. The training from this course can lead towards an Arborist certificate.
FOR7342 Dendrology II
The core of this course is to learn to identify logs in mill yards, standing trees in the forest in their winter condition, and wood in a lumber product form.
Choose one from equivalencies:
GED1108 General Education Elective
For this course, you will have the opportunity to choose one from a group of general education electives. Your options will include courses which cover the following themes: Arts in Society, Civic Life, Social and Cultural Understanding, Personal Understanding, and Science and Technology.
Level 3
FOR7330 Field Placement
This two-week period places the student within a work environment in forestry or other natural resources organization. The purposes are to provide an exposure to the operation of such an organization and an opportunity for the student to develop a network with individuals employed in natural resources operations and management. Students may register and successfully complete the Provincial Scaling course in lieu of Field Placement. The cost of the Provincial Scaling course will be in addition to the previously established program tuition.
FOR7331 Land Stewardship
This course concentrates on the best management practices of natural resources on privately owned lands. Students examine strategies to maintain or enhance natural environments and to remediate disturbed lands. Non-timber forest products will be explored. The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program will be examined and applied. Students will gain an appreciation for volunteerism.
FOR7333 Forest Access
This field-oriented course considers the proper locating of various types of forest access roads and trails. Bridge and culvert sizing, installation and soil erosion control are assessed. Regulatory and aesthetic requirements are applied along with the scheduling and costing of access routes. Compliance monitoring will be studied and conducted in the field.
FOR7334 Forest Management
The student applies knowledge from previous courses to the realistic preparation of parts of a sustainable Forest Management Plan and also completes part of an Annual Work Schedule. The student examines provincial statutes, regulations, policies, licensing, and reporting.
FOR7335 Forest Ecosystem Classification
In this mainly outdoor course, students will apply the knowledge they have learned in soils, dendrology and silviculture to classify forest sites. The ecosystem classification system used in Ontario will be followed.
FOR7337 Tree Marking
The knowledge gained from previous and concurrent courses is brought to the practical application of tree marking. The student will gain field experience and skills to mark trees under different silvicultural systems. This course will be taught to the standards of the Provincial Tree Marking Certification program.
FOR7339 Certifications
During a two-week period you will have the opportunity to gain certification in specialties that you choose from a selection that is offered. Some examples are Fire Fighting, Chainsaw Operators, Tree Marking, Pesticide, Safe Boating, Erosion and Sediment Control, Aircraft Safety, Seed Forecaster, Culvert Installation, Tree Planting, Night Navigation and Prospectors. The cost of some certificates and licenses will be in addition to the previously established program tuition
FOR7343 Forest Products
This course examines the specifications and processes used in Canada to convert raw timber resources into various products. The class makes field visits to primary and secondary manufacturing sites, i.e. pulp and paper, veneer, lumber, poles, and fibreboard. The class will learn and practise scaling, using the Ontario Log Rule. They will also appreciate how to buck tree lengths to meet the log specifications of a mill.
FOR7344 Land Use - Protecting Our Heritage for Future Generations
In today's global economy, Canada continues to be a front runner in the area of responsible land use with regards to protecting its renewable resources. It is the responsibility of every Ontario citizen to be informed of both historical and contemporary issues, and practices of the various levels of government as they relate to contributing to the environmental, social, and economic well-being of the province through the sustainable development of natural resources. This course introduces students to the roles of levels of government and the part they play in the land management. It examines both historical and current policy and direction, including Aboriginal rights.
FOR7346 Advanced Techniques
This field-orientated course is devoted to applying advanced techniques in natural resources management. Special emphasis is placed on the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Students will practise, in the field, with various GPS models. Students will integrate GPS data into Geographical Information Systems software to produce maps. In addition, field methods are practised for surveys such as silviculture effectiveness monitoring (regeneration assessments) and tree plant assessments. Forest sampling design is discussed, as well as forest seed collection and the production of seedlings in tree nurseries.