Fundamentals of Wetland Delineation and Assessment
About this Course
Wetlands are highly productive, diverse environments that provide critical habitat for specialist plants and wildlife, mitigate flooding, remove excess nutrients from water and provide natural fire breaks in the landscape. Though wetlands are protected and regulated in Canada, the loss and degradation of wetland habitats have been extensive.
The Wetland Delineation and Assessment (WDA) non-credit, micro-credential courses address an urgent need for rigorous, unbiased training on the assessment and delineation of wetland boundaries, with topics including wetland classification, functions and values, impact assessment and wetland policy.
This is the first course in the Wetland Delineation and Assessment program. Held in an online classroom environment, this course builds foundational knowledge that complements the hands-on experience that will take place in the Field Training course. Learners taking part in the May 2023 initial offering must register for the full program consisting of both Fundamentals of Wetland Delineation and Assessment (WDA1) and Wetland Delineation and Assessment Field Training and Capstone Project (WDA2).
Designed for
- Professionals with a university degree or college diploma in a science or engineering discipline
- Individuals seeking professional development (e.g., for a professional association or society)
- Practicing resource professionals: agrologists, biologists, engineers, hydrologists, industrial managers, foresters, technologists and planners
- Land managers employed in forestry, agriculture, fisheries, hydrology, water treatment, land development, and wildfire resiliency
- Different levels of government (municipal, provincial, federal, and Indigenous)
- Conservation organizations and agencies
- Individuals seeking employment in an environmental field
- Post-secondary students seeking to gain practical experience
Course Structure and Delivery
This 24-hour course is structured around:
- 21 hours of synchronous online learning
- 3 hours of quizzes and self-reflection activities
Real-time delivery is scheduled with three full-day (nine-hour) sessions, including lunch and breaks, held using Zoom web conferencing. The real-time sessions will include online lectures, break-out sessions and group discussions.
Participants must earn 76% or higher on all course components to pass. Course materials will be available through Canvas Catalog.
Course Schedule
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON.
Credential Awarded
Learners who successfully complete both the Fundamentals of Wetland Delineation and Assessment and Field Training and Capstone Project courses will receive:
- a UBC Okanagan Non-credit Letter of Proficiency
This course is part of the Wetland Delineation and Assessment program.
Requirements
ADMISSION
- This non-credit learning opportunity has no prerequisites
- The content is designed for adult learners; participants must be 18 years or older
- Knowledge of plants, soils and ecology will be beneficial but is not required. Topics will be presented with no expectation of prior knowledge
- The language of instruction is English
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Access to a computer with a recent operating system, web browser and updated version of Zoom
- High-speed internet connection
- Microphone, speakers and webcam
Instructional Team
Kristen Andersen, PWS, P.Biol., CPESC, is a wetland scientist and restoration ecologist specializing in wetland delineation, functional assessment, remote sensing, wetland restoration design and monitoring. Kristen has an extensive background in field application of wetland delineation protocols and jurisdictional determinations across a variety of landscape and site conditions.
Carrie Nadeau, R.P.Bio., CERP, is a senior ecologist specializing in restoration ecology, environmental assessment, wetland classification, and environmental regulation, and co-authored the Okanagan Wetland Action Plan for the Okanagan Wetlands Strategy led by the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
Additional Info
This credential is offered by the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science at UBC Okanagan. Questions about department courses and programs should be submitted to eegs.cpd@ubc.ca.
Last updated: 2023-12-07 11:29