Presented by
Plant courses
Sponsored by
EARTHQUEST
Biological Field School
Environmental consultants
Description
2023 Schedule
Disclaimer
Application
Content & Price
Level 3 FBT Ferns of Ontario course
An intense field course designed to introduce you to the world of ferns, reproductive systems, taxonomy and field identification Approximately 17 - 20 species of wetland and terrestrial ferns will be covered. It is highly recommended that you participate in this field course via field practicums. Online sessions are not available.
Not available as correspondence or online course
Summer semester; June 5- August 7, 2023
Registration; June 12, 2023
When taking field sessions with your Senior Instructor in Ontario (only offered on weekend dates) the following dates are scheduled for field trips to natural areas;
1. July 15 & 16 2023
2. July 22 & 23, 2023
* Please note: In the event of extreme weather such as rainstorms field sessions may be concancelled or postponed
Unit #1: Field identification techiques
As a unique taxonomic group ferns reproduce in special ways. This unit explores the different reproductive systems and how to place ferns into their respective families based on habitat, mode of reproduction and shape/location of the indusiums.
Unit #2: Field Identification Techniques - Species
We will learn how to identify up to 17 - 20 species of terrestrial and wetland ferns.
Cost: $800.00 CAD + tax
Personal attendance: 2 days
Online: This course must be taken by participating in field practicums.
Level 3 FBT Asters & Goldenrods of Ontario course
This course exclusively focuses on difficult to field identify Asters and Goldenrods which may be found in the 5 forest regions of Ontario. Approximately 13 of the 19 species of Goldenrods and 13 of the 18 species of Asters presented in our "Asters and Goldenrods of Ontario" book will be covered. Students will benefit from direct observation through field/tutorial sessions with a highly qualified Instructor. Students should have a copy of our "Asters and Goldenrods of Ontario" book available for $100.00. Please note, this course is an intensive field course with a consdierable amount of hiking built into it's structure. This course is essential for those who wish to find employment that demands a working knowledge and field expertise of the Asters and Goldenrods of Ontario. This is an excellent course for anyone involved with field botany or plant inventories and surveys at the species level.
Also available via correspondence, or online.
Fall semester; August 7- October 9, 2023
Registration; August 4, 2023
When choosing field sessions with your Senior Instructor in Ontario (only offered on weekend dates) the following dates are scheduled for field trips to natural areas;
1. September 23 & 124 2019
2. October 7 & 8 2023
* Please note: In the event of extreme weather such as rainstorms & the availability of your Senior Instructor field sessions may be cancelled or postponed
Unit #1:Field protocols and Diagnostics for surveying Asters & Goldenrods
A comparative discussion of the different survey methods associated with finding and locating Asters & Goldenrods
Unit #2: Survey techiques
An examination of standard field surveytechniques and environmental guidance documents used to assess rare vegetation communities
Unit #3: Field Identification Techniques
Twenty species of Asters and Goldenrods which may be founds while performing field investigations. Field ID is based on visual field diagnostic traits such as leaf venation; size and shape, flower color and habitat - a system developed by Dave Jolly for surveying Asters & Goldenrods to increase the chances of finding them
Cost: $800.00 CAD + tax
Field manual: "Asters and Goldenrods of Ontario" book = $100.00 CAD
Personal attendance: 2 - 5 days
Online:This course must be taken by participating in field practicums
Level 3 FBT SAR & Rare Plants of Ontario course
This course is designed for restoration ecologists, Species at Risk Biologist or anybody interested in learning about Ontario’'s SAR plants. Field identification techniques on the species level are taught with field practicums on approximately 19 - 20 SAR plants. Students will learn how to species level field differentiate between confusing look-a-likes that resemble Ontario SARs as well as hybrids and sub-species (some of these are Ontario SARs) field identification techniques. To take this course it is highly recommended that the student purchase our “"A Photo Field Guide to Species at Risk and Rare plants of Ontario: Volume 1"” book for $150.00 CAD. This book is a prerequisite as it specifically covers the majority of SAR plants encountered during field sesssions. An excellent supplementary book is our "Asters and Goldenrods of Ontario" book to cover some of the SAR plants from the Aster/Goldenrod group. This course was created to assist with the shortage in the industry of well qualified SAR Biologists. Course material is downloaded as PDF documents from our website.
This course includes field practicums searching for special concern Tuberous indian plantain (Arnoglossum plataginae), provincially rare Dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris), Blueleaf willow (Salix myricoides) and Stiff yellow flax (Linum medium var. medium) at Olpihant, Ontario.
Available as correspondence or online course, but it is highly recommended that you participate in field practicums with a qualified instructor.
Summer semester; June 5 - August 7, 2023
Registration; August 4, 2023
If choosing field sessions with your Senior Instructor in Ontario (only offered on weekend dates) the following dates are scheduled for field trips to natural areas;
1. Sept.. 16 & 17, 2023
* Please note: In the event of extreme weather such as rainstorms & the availability of your Senior Instructor field sessions may be cancelled or postponed
Unit #1:The Biosystematics of SARs & provincially rare plants of the course
How we are using the Plants of Ontario database to quantitatively and qualitatively collect plant records within the counties of Ontario
Unit #2: Field Identification Techniques; Vascular plant species
A rapid assessment technique developed by the instructor to assess SARs by habitat and ecosite.
Focus will be on confusing common look-a-likes and habitat recognition.
How to field identify plants to species level:
species characteristics and traits
Cost: $800.00 CAD + tax
Field manuals: SAR plants of Ontario book = $150.00 CAD + Asters and Goldenrods of Ontario book = $100.00 CAD
Personal attendance: 2 sessions
Online: consult us for which sessions may be available.
Level 3 FBT Grass, sedge, rush course
A general introductory field course designed to introduce you to tapproximately 11 genera of grasses, 3 sedge genera and 3 genera of rushes. It is highly recommended that you participate in this field course via field practicums. Online sessions are not available.
Not available as correspondence or online course
Summer semester; July 5 - August 7, 2023
Registration; June 2, 2023
If choosing field sessions with your Senior Instructor in Ontario (only offered on weekend dates) the following dates are scheduled for field trips to natural areas;
1. June 3 & 4, 2023
* Please note: In the event of extreme weather such as rainstorms & the availability of your Senior Insturctor field sessions may be cancelled or postponed
Unit 1: Structure and function of Gramnoids
Gramnoid classification and structure
How to field identify gramnoids to species level, species characteristics and traits of grasses, sedges and rushes
Unit #2: Where and how to find gramnoids
Survey methodology and techniques will be explored to help locate gramnoids in terrestrial, aquatic and wetland systems
Habitat preferences
Unit #3: Confusing species
A comparison with difficult to identify gramnoid species and their confusing look-a-likes
Exceptions to the general species rule
Cost: $800.00 CAD + tax
Personal attendance: 2 days
Online: 4 sessions