Ecosystem Restoration Program

Niagara College Schools Environment and Horticulture Program Ecosystem Restoration

About this program

Credential Awarded: 1 Year Graduate Certificate
Campus: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Code: 2000 P2000
Delivery Length: 1 Year

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Who are you?

I am a domestic applicant. *
I am an international applicant.

Your education at Niagara College begins with your application. We're here to help make the process easy!

Carefully read the Admission Requirements tab to make sure you meet the program requirements.
Check the Availability tab to see whether or not the program is accepting applications, and what start dates are available.
Complete an application online through ontariocolleges.ca.
Our Admissions Office will acknowledge your application has been received and will provide you with your NC Student ID number and details on your next steps.

Your education at Niagara College begins with your application. We're here to help make the process easy!

Carefully read the Admission Requirements tab to make sure you meet the program requirements. Official, translated high school and/or post-secondary transcripts, proof of graduation and proof of English proficiency will be required.
Check the Availability tab to see whether or not the program is accepting International applications, and what start dates are available.
For next steps in the application process please visit international.niagaracollege.ca/how-to-apply/.
Complete an application online through our Online Application Form.
Niagara College will send you or your agent a confirmation of receipt via email within 48 hours of receiving your application.

* Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Convention refugees.

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Overview

Are you passionate about the environment with a desire to help establish an ecologically healthy relationship between nature and our highly industrialized world?

As an Ecological Restoration graduate, you are skilled in the restoration and management of disturbed ecosystems and prepared to play a leading role in the environmental labour market.

Highlights

Centred on ‘hands-on, boots-on’ learning opportunities via community-based, year-long ecological restoration projects.
The 125-acre Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake includes restored wetlands, The Wetland Ridge Trail, and is part of the Niagara Escarpment.
Supports bio-monitoring, bio-engineering and plant material management training via the NC Teaching Greenhouse, community nurseries, and a full complement of field equipment.
Restoration-oriented certifications and training provide graduates competitive advantages in the environmental labour market.
Engaged Program Advisory Committee with representatives from sectors involved in the planning, implementation, regulation and promotion of ecological restoration activities.
Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) has reviewed program curriculum and successful graduates of this program will be immediately eligible for certification designation as a CERPIT (Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner in Training).

Our Niagara-on-the-Lake campus is the first postsecondary institution in Canada to be recognized as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Career Opportunities

Ecological restoration practitioner
Environmental manager
Natural heritage specialist
Species-at-risk invasive management specialist
Watershed stewardship coordinator
Wildlife biologist

Courses

Term one (2024 Fall)
Code	Course Name	Credits
ENVR9145	Plant Material Management	3
ENVR9147	Restoration Ecology	3
ENVR9148	Flora Identification	3
ENVR9149	Aquatic Monitoring Techniques	3
ENVR9173	Soil Sciences	3
ENVR9174	Hydrology	3
ENVR9247	Applied Geomatics	3

Term two (2025 Winter)
Code	Course Name	Credits
ENVR9242	Professional Communications	2
ENVR9244	Wild Species Management	3
ENVR9246	Ecological Engineering	3
ENVR9248	Field Project	3
ENVR9258	River Corridor Restoration	3
ENVR9259	Fauna Identification	3

Program Outcomes Term: 1244

Collect and prepare accurate, properly documented, field data (terrestrial & aquatic), maps, and background research.
Prepare a site for restoration, and prepare/install the required materials for the project.
Produce comprehensive descriptions of reference ecosystems synthesizing various levels of biotic, abiotic, and cultural information.
Integrate core principles of restoration ecology into site analyses and restoration plans.
Manage overall aspects of an ecological restoration project, including research, plans, schedules/budgets and contracts.
Prescribe & analyze suitable monitoring protocols for studying reference ecosystems and restored sites.
Professionally communicate clear and concise oral, written, and graphic presentations.
Collaborate effectively with others in project development, organization, execution, and production.
Forecast and plan all work in accordance with heath and safety requirements and environmental regulations.
Identify, Interpret and apply applicable federal, provincial, and municipal environmental regulations, policies, and processes.

Admission Requirements

Ontario College Diploma (or equivalent) in Environmental Technician/Technology; Ecosystem Management Technician/Technology; or
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology; Botany; Ecology; Environmental and Resources Studies/Management; Environmental Science/Technology; Landscape Architecture; Wildlife; Zoology or
Submit a cover letter and resume outlining an acceptable combination of environmental work experience and postsecondary education (as determined by the College) and
Proof of English proficiency

Selection and Ranking

Testing or other supplemental evaluation may be required.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Note

Most private college courses and/or credentials are not acceptable as admission requirements for Niagara College programs.

Please contact the Admissions office at [email protected] for assistance.

Pre-Admission Requirements

As part of the admissions process some programs have pre-admission requirements.

Domestic Applicants:

Pre-admission requirements for domestic applicants can be found at niagaracollege.ca/par.

Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Convention refugees.

International Applicants:

Pre-admission requirements for international applicants can be found at international.niagaracollege.ca/pre-admission/.

Program Requirements

Computer/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory. This is required to run the GIS software used in this program.
An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Important: Mac computers cannot run the GIS software required for this program.

Physical Fitness

Students applying to Environment and Horticulture programs are often required to tolerate physical activity such as walking over uneven terrain, standing, bending, lifting, and carrying equipment.
These expectations are reflected in our coursework, and applicants of this program should be highly motivated and have an appropriate level of fitness when entering this program.

Transportation

Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply

International Applicants Apply

Legendfor intake status table

Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

Tuition

The below is a tuition fees estimate ( what's this?) for the indicated start term. Tuition fees are set in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities fee guidelines.

Year: 2023-2024

Start Term: Fall

Expand each level below for a fee breakdown.

Year 1

Level one $3,157.05

Fee Breakdown for Level one
Fee Type	Fee Cost
Tuition	$2,049.10
Ancillary Fees	$1,104.95
Material Fees	$3.00
Level one Total	$3,157.05

Level two $2,806.05

Fee Breakdown for Level two
Fee Type	Fee Cost
Tuition	$2,049.10
Ancillary Fees	$756.95
Material Fees	$0.00
Level two Total	$2,806.05

Year 1 Total: $5,963.10

Estimated Program Total: $5,963.10

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Advanced Tuition Tool

The tuition amounts provided are an estimate only ( what's this? ).

To generate a detailed fees calculation, which includes tuition, ancillary, and material fees for this or a different start term, please access the Advanced Tuition Tool.

Generate My Fees

The below is a tuition fees estimate ( what's this?) for the indicated start term. Tuition and estimated fees for International students are based on program type.

Year: 2023-2024

Start Term: Fall

Expand each level below for a fee breakdown.

Year 1

Level one $9,827.95

Fee Breakdown for Level one
Fee Type	Fee Cost
Tuition	$7,975.00
Ancillary Fees	$1,849.95
Material Fees	$3.00
Level one Total	$9,827.95

Level two $8,896.95

Fee Breakdown for Level two
Fee Type	Fee Cost
Tuition	$7,975.00
Ancillary Fees	$921.95
Material Fees	$0.00
Level two Total	$8,896.95

Year 1 Total: $18,724.90

Estimated Program Total: $18,724.90

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Access over $200,000 in scholarships and awards.

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Advanced Tuition Tool

The tuition amounts provided are an estimate only ( what's this? ).

To generate a detailed fees calculation, which includes tuition, ancillary, and material fees for this or a different start term, please access the Advanced Tuition Tool.

Generate My Fees

Costs and Dates

General information about other costs, due dates, refund policy, housing costs, and more can be found on the Niagara College International website.

The program really gave me the hands-on field skills I needed to be competitive in the job market.
The Ecosystem Restoration program really gave me the hands-on field skills I needed to be competitive in the job market. The program helped to provide an important legislative background for environmental work in the province of Ontario as well as developing a strong network of other professionals across the environmental sector.

Alex Meeker, Program Graduate Ontario Provincial Biologist, Trout Unlimited Canada

I had very little knowledge of Niagara College. After university, I expected the program to be inside with little hands-on experience. THIS IS NOT THE CASE! The Niagara College program is INCREDIBLE! And the professors are so helpful and engaging.

Megan, program graduate

I came to Niagara College because I knew something was missing from my university education. This program gave me the practical field experience I needed.

Alana Taylor, program graduate

I chose Niagara College because it had the most hands-on environmental graduate certificate program (Ecosystem Restoration), small class sizes, and comfortable atmosphere, allowing more interaction between students and teachers. It has allowed me to develop hands-on technical skills needed for future job placements.

Katherine Mead, program graduate

The Ecosystem Restoration program at Niagara College provided me with a technical skill-set that is essential in the field of Restoration Ecology. I also gained insight into what aspects of restoration I really wanted to research during my thesis work for my Masters.

Darby McGrath, program graduate

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School of Environment and Horticulture