For more information please contact:

BRENDA SMITH

Manager, Co-op Education and Employment Services
301 Frank Beinder Way

Castlegar, BC, VIN 4L3

email: Brenda Smith

Tel: 250.365.1280

Fax: 250.365.1218

Program Courses

ENVR 150 - HYDROLOGY |

Hydrology 1 is an introductory study of water in our
environment including its properties, the natural
processes which affect it, and climate and weather.
Students will gain practical experience in the
collection and analysis of field and laboratory data
using standard techniques and equipment.

ENVR 154 - MAPS AND NAVIGATION

Maps and Navigation focuses on the navigation skills
required of technologists working outdoors — to
locate oneself, stay ‘found’, and return safely from
the field. The course includes handsXon use of
navigation tools in field settings, including map, air
photo, compass, altimeter, and Global Positioning
Systems (GPS) techniques. PreXtrip planning in a
navigation context will also be covered, including
developing access plans and route plans, and
estimating travel times.

ENVR 158 - INTRODUCTION TO GEOMATICS

Introduction to Geomatics is an introduction to
applied mapping and geographic information systems
(GIS) theory and applications. The first half of the
course will be focused on introducing basic uses of
remotely sensed imagery. Several applied mapping
technologies will be explored, including Google Earth
and Internet Mapping websites. The second half

of the semester will be focused on learning basic
GIS concepts and applying GIS technologies to
environmental, renewable resource management,
and planning fields. Emphasis will be placed on how
geographic data is represented, collected, managed,
analyzed, and displayed using GIS tools. Hands-on
experience will be developed with the most widely
used and comprehensive desktop GIS software,
ESRI’s ArcGIS Desktop.

selkirk.ca/programs

ENVR 160 - SURVEYING &
FIELD MEASUREMENTS

Surveying & Field Measurements is an introduction

to the practical use of common survey instruments
and techniques used by environmental technicians.

As well, the course will introduce the student to
various sampling methods used to collect, assess,
classify, and evaluate field data. Emphasis is placed
on the proper care and use of basic surveying and
measurement tools and the skills involved in collecting
and interpreting precise and accurate field data.

ENVR 162 - APPLIED BOTANY AND
ECOSYSTEM CLASSIFICATION

This course is an introduction to the principles of
Botany and Ecosystem Classification. Botany lectures
will focus on plant classification, botanical terms,
plant morphology, and plant physiology. Topics
include: plant cell structure, plant tissue function

and structure, photosynthesis and respiration,
transpiration and translocation. Botany labs will
focus on learning to identify about 100 native plants
commonly found in the West Kootenay Region of B.C.,
specifically key indicator species. Ecology lectures
will focus on ecosystem classification using the
Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification System (BEC)
of B.C. Other key topics include the study of climatic
factors, disturbance and succession, landscapes and
stand structure. Ecology labs focus on classifying
ecosystems (including soils, site and vegetation) to
site series using BEC. Labs are mainly field based.

ENVR 163 - TERRESTRIAL
ECOLOGY AND BIOLOGY

This course builds upon the concepts from ENVR
162 with further studies of local forest ecosystems.
Students will identify key forest structural
components and study the role that disturbance (such
as fire), environmental gradients, and competition
play in defining a species’ niche. Participants will
also examine the role of primary and secondary
growth, nutrient uptake, reproduction, and survival
mechanisms for plants. Winter plant identification,
ecosystem form and function, and plant adaptations
to timberline will also be examined. A practical field
based assignment will form a major portion of the
term assessment.

ENVR 164 - SOIL AND EARTH SCIENCES

This course will cover the identification of common
rocks and minerals, landforms and soils of British
Columbia. Learners will be introduced to the study
of physical geology and geomorphology in relation
to management of the forest environment and
landscape. Learners will gain skills and knowledge
in rock and mineral identification, description of
the physical and chemical qualities of soils, and
identification and classification of landforms and

FOREST TECHNOLOGY
selkirk.ca/forestry

terrain. Skills will also be developed with respect
to interpretation of geology, landforms and soils for
environmental management.

ENVR 170 - FISH AND WILDLIFE ECOLOGY

This course will cover identification and ecology

of vertebrate animals, habitat requirements, and
habitat disturbance implications. Learners will gain
experience in applying guidelines and management
strategies to minimize impact of other resource uses
on fish and wildlife habitat and species.

ENVR 190 - COMPUTER APPLICATIONS |

This course builds on computer skills students

have previously acquired. Applied intermediate to
advanced computer applications specific to career
opportunities in the environment and geomatics
sector are covered including file management, word
processing for report writing, spreadsheets and an
introduction to databases.

ENVR 250 - INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
OF CANADA AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT

The main focus of this course is to enable students
working in natural resource management to work
effectively with Indigenous peoples. To achieve

this, students will develop a greater awareness of
Indigenous peoples and the cultural diversity that
exists within this group of Canadians. The course

will examine various topics related to Indigenous
cultures, languages and pre and post contact
histories. The course will also examine current issues
facing indigenous groups including legal issues, social
conditions, treaty processes, consultation activities,
capacity building and protection of traditional lands
and rights. This course is offered in the School of
Environment and Geomatics curriculum to both
Forest Technology and Recreation, Fish and Wildlife
Technology Programs. It is anticipated that material
presented in ENVR 250 will be integrated throughout
other courses in these two programs.

ENVR 290 - COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
IN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

For Recreation, Fish and Wildlife - Fall delivery

Land and Natural Resource Management in British
Columbia is quite complex partly due to the need

to understand and account for many different and
often competing interests. The locations of where
those interests are situated, and their relationship
with and among each other adds greater complexity
and necessitates the need to use software modeling
systems like GIS. The content of ENVR 290 will
address software used for data gathering, assembly,
display and presentation of land and natural resource
information. Performing advanced analysis and
preparing high quality cartographic maps using

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