Structure 

Online Asynchronous delivery style over a 13-week period for each course, requiring approximately 10 hours of coursework per week, or 5-day in-person intensive class at the University of Victoria (potential field visits) 

Content 

Six (6) required courses: 

1. ER 313: Biodiversity and Conservation Biology 
    

This course gives students an understanding of biodiversity and conservation biology as scientific disciplines whose aims are to reduce impacts of human activities on biological diversity. We’ll explore the following topics: the history and subject matter of conservation biology, including a discussion of the scientific approach to understanding the world; what biodiversity is, where it’s found and how it arises; values of biodiversity including economic, ethical and ecological perspectives; important basic principles of ecology as well as how these principles are used to design conservation projects and understand population biology processes and patterns (especially for small and endangered populations); the status of biodiversity and the impacts of current threats such as habitat destruction, introduction of exotic species, spread of disease and over exploitation. 

We’ll also look at possible human interventions for stemming the loss of biodiversity including creating and maintaining protected areas, restoration and species recovery strategies, laws, policies and programs. 

2. ER 390: Environmental Restoration Project 
    

This course involves a planning and participating in a real restoration project. The project is usually done in partnership with a community group, government department or industry partner. If you are working in a related field, the project can be based on activities for your job with prior approval from the Academic Director. 

Your ER390 project is one of the key components of your Restoration of Natural Systems Diploma. It is an independently led, hands-on restoration project that you will conduct (generally) in close coordination with a community partner over a maximum of three terms. Each ER390 project is uniquely tailored to the needs of the student and partner. 

The final project brings together the knowledge and skills you acquired through the program and applies these to a real restoration situation in your area of specialization. It should reinforce and grow what you have learned. The project has three main goals:  

To demonstrate a positive contribution by you to ecological restoration; To give you a final opportunity to develop a desired professional skill and make professional connections; To provide a written report that provides a record of your work from which future students and the public can learn. 

3. ER 314: Ethical, Legal, and Policy Aspects of Environment Restoration 
    

Environmental restoration is a value-laden activity. It takes place within a societal framework of ethics, laws and politics. Ethics influence which actions are considered appropriate by society, while laws determine what is legally required or permissible and policies govern how things are done. What is ecologically desirable is not always socially acceptable. 

This course considers the philosophy and ethics of restoration and introduces the legal and policy frameworks in which environmental restoration takes place, and which play a critical role in dealing with the practical issues of carrying out a restoration project. 
 

4. ER 312A: Field Study in Ecological Restoration I 

This course is meant to introduce you to a range of basic techniques for field study. You will learn some basic methodologies commonly used in the field of ecological restoration including: surveying methods; vegetation sampling methods; soil sampling; monitoring techniques; documenting field work. 

As this is a course on field techniques, we will spend a lot of time outdoors, both on campus and at several field locations in the Victoria area. 
 

5. ER 312B: Field Study in Ecological Restoration 

This is an advanced field study course involving ecosystem mapping and detailed site evaluation (prescription). The first two mornings will be spent in the classroom, but the course will largely be taught in the field at sites on Royal Roads/DND lands. 

The course involves: identifying standard plant species cover; creating physical site descriptions; recognizing natural boundaries on air photos and on the ground; identifying features related to slope stability; recognizing critical clues to ecological processes that either limit or are critical to the functioning of an ecosystem (e.g. wildlife trees).  

An important focus is to observe and recognize successional patterns as clues to restoration strategies. 
 

6. ER 311: Principles and Concepts of Ecological Restoration 

This course introduces you to the practice of ecological restoration. We’ll start by examining the physical and biological characteristics of ecosystems as well as the need to maintain and restore them. We’ll also examine natural and human-caused changes, at ecosystem to species levels, while considering the philosophy and ethics of restoration within legal and policy frameworks. 

This course also introduces you to the process and techniques of assessing ecosystems and developing recommendations. In addition, you’ll develop your ability to combine and analyze factual scientific analysis of ecosystems in the context of human values and needs. 

The emphasis is on examples from British Columbia but the approach applies to issues around the globe. 

And one (1) elective course: 

1. Advanced Principles & Concepts of Ecological Restoration
2. Ecorestoration Strategies: Case Studies
3. Ecosystems of British Columbia, Canada, and the World
4. Fire Ecology
5. Forest Restoration and Sustainable Forestry
6. Galiano Island Field Study
7. Methods in Adaptive Management for Ecological Restoration
8. Mining Reclamation
9. Non-Timber Forest Management and Sustainable Use by Major Forest Zones in BC
10. Restoration of Freshwater Aquatic Systems 
11. Restoration of Marine Aquatic Systems
12. Science Communication for Ecological Restoration
13. Selection and Propagation of Native Plants for Ecological Restoration
14. Soil Conservation and Restoration
15. Special Topics in Environmental Restoration
16. Special Topics in Environmental Restoration: Climate Change in Ecological Restoration
17. Traditional Systems of Land and Resource Management
18. Urban Restoration and Sustainable Agricultural Systems