Northern Environmental Research & Development Studies (NERDS)

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The Northern Environment Research and Development Program is a four credit program which will be offered to Grade 11 and 12 students, during the second semester.  This program is designed for students who enjoy the outdoors and who may be interested in pursuing a post secondary college or university career in natural resources, natural sciences or environmental sciences.  Students will be involved in a wide variety of projects which will include data collection, analysis, and communication of information as part of on-going monitoring and scientific research with numerous local agencies and associations involved in natural resource management and environmental monitoring.  Students will have opportunities to work with fish, wildlife and forestry specialists and have input into the provincial database of land and natural resources information.  They will also gain valuable experience that will help with future studies in environment and resource management at the college or university level, as well as experience and contacts for future jobs.

Successful completion of these credits, along with other designated courses, will earn the student a "Specialist High Skills Major in the Environment" seal on the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, as well as acknowledgement on the student's final transcript.

Program Requirement: A successful basic swim test is mandatory for participation in any water-based activities. This program requires a $375.00 fee.

Courses:

  • CGR4M Environment and Resource Management (College/University)
  • CGO4M Spatial Technologies in Action (College/University)
  • 2x CGR4MCO Environment and Resource Management Co-op (College/Universities)

Activities:

Species ID and Data Collection 

Map and Compass Training 

GPS data collection for natural resource projects 

GIS mapping of data 

Winter Oxygen Testing/Water Chemistry 

Fish Hatchery Maintenance and Management 

Lake Analysis 

Cold water stream inventory and analysis 

Water quality analysis and Monitoring 

Forest Stand Analysis - Basal Area, Disease 

Forest Management Planning 

Tree Planting 

Tree Marking 

Loon Survey 

Post Secondary Education Exploration 

Resume and Portfolio Development 

Animal Tracking 

Invasive Species Inventory 

Wildlife Research 

Wetlands Day Hosting 

Forestry Day Hosting 

Invasive Species Inventory 

Endangered Species Inventory 

Duck Box Installation / Maintenance 

Community Partnership Activities 

Multi-day Overnight camp excursion


Certifications/Training:

Standard First Aid & CPR, AED 

Wilderness First Aid Seminar 

WHMIS Training 

Winter Survival Skills (OPP) 

Pleasure Boat Operator’s Course 

GPS Certification/GIS Training 

Bear Awareness and Safety Training 

Young Worker Workplace Safety Training 

Basic Canoe Training 

Ice Safety and Ice Rescue Training and Certification 

Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring program introduction 

Working At Heights 

Proper Handling and Tree Seedling 

Planting Search and Rescue Level II (OPP) 

Stick Nest Identification