Professional Courses: Alberta Wetlands
Wetlands are part of the most productive and important ecosystems in the world. They are complex systems that require years of study to understand their classification types, cycles, and functions. With high rates of industrial and residential development occurring in Alberta and the implementation of the new Alberta Wetland Policy, many people making decisions regarding the fate of these ecosystems do not have the time or the resources to achieve this level of knowledge. To bridge this gap and foster a greater understanding of wetlands in Alberta, Aquality has developed two Wetland Courses: Alberta Wetlands: From Classification to Policy and Alberta Wetlands: Field Assessment Course. Both courses are taught by Aquality’s Professional Biologists (P.Biol.), Qualified Aquatic Environment Specialists (QAES), and Authenticating Professionals (AP). These courses provide essential information necessary for making informed decisions about wetlands in Alberta.
The Alberta Wetlands: From Classification to Policy course is a 2 day classroom style course including modules on Wetland Classification, Policy and Applied Assessment Skills. Training starts with wetland functions, hydrology, wetland classification and delineation, common wetland vegetation, riparian zones, and the importance of wetlands on the landscape. Then a review of federal, provincial, and municipal legislation, regulations, and policies applicable to wetlands in Alberta are covered. The course finishes with wetland assessment skills including air photo interpretation, ABWRET assessments, and WAIR and WAIF reporting. Our course is ideal for municipalities, developers, land surveyors, planners and consultants. This course can be customized for groups to focus on specific work related topics including topics on plant identification, flooding and drought mitigation, and spill planning and response.
The Alberta Wetlands: Field Assessment is a 1 day outdoor course designed for participants to put classroom theory to practice. Participants gain hands on experience identifying key wetland plant species. Expert instructors will be on hand to answer questions and provide guidance. Participants will be exposed to several different wetland classes common to the white-zone of the province following the Alberta Wetland Classification System. This course is ideal for those looking to improve their wetland botany skills, practice classification of wetlands, and assessing wetland boundaries.
Registration
For more information on the wetland courses and upcoming dates visit Aquality’s Wetland Policy website here or email wetlands@aquality.ca
Testimonials
“The personal involvement and passion about this subject helped to hit home and really “sell” the need for proper understanding around the function and importance of each kind of wetland.”
– TERA Environmental Consultants
"Energetic and very knowledgeable presenter! This is definitely a niche topic, it was good to get insight & clarity, especially on policy.”
– Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
“Great job! Very educational. It was very interesting to learn about Alberta’s Leg/Reg/Acts… I can take this information and relate it to my own area. Thank you!”
– 2012 CWRA Conference Workshop
“Excellent overall, detailed information; far more comprehensive than available from any singular source. Particularly liked the case study examples.”
– ATCO Gas
“I know many other folks in government and crowns that would benefit from this course. Keep up the good work!”
– Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment