Specialist High Skills Major Opportunities at Wildwood Conservation Area

The following Specialist High Skills Major offerings take place at Wildwood Conservation Area unless otherwise arranged. This multi-use park covers 1400 hectares and has more than 20 km of trails with forest, stream, and meadow ecosystems and a day use area.

Environmental Leadership Programs (ELP)

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) offers a broad range of programs and services to support and enhance Environmental Leadership Programs. Through organizational expertise and experience, our staff can provide in-class and off-site experiential opportunities. The certifications listed below are all offered as standalone opportunities or in combination.

Canadian Wildlife Federation

These certifications are both sector-recognized and will stand alone on a resume.

  • Project WILD & Below Zero
    • This combined workshop covers both Project WILD and Below Zero courses. Students receive training in activities from both manuals and gain leadership skills.
    • $100/student/8 hours
  •  Project WILD Certificate alone
    • Students receive training in Project WILD and gain leadership skills.
    • $65/student/6 hours
  • Below Zero Certificate alone
    • Students receive Below Zero training and gain leadership skills.
    • $65/student/6 hours

Hike Ontario

These certifications are both sector-recognized and will stand alone on a resume.

  • Safe Hiker Program
    • This course takes participants through the process of planning a hike in a safe manner. It begins with an introduction to hiking, including the joys and types of hikes. Students are then guided through the steps of planning and going on a hike.
    • $45/student/6 hours
  •  Certified Hike Leader
    • This course teaches participants the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of a trained hike leader, including appropriate risk management for day hikes where the hike is no more than 2km from road access. Students must be at least 16 years of age and have completed the Safe Hiker Program.
    • $45/student/6 hours

Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Training

This workshop takes a place-based approach to innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. ICE-trained professionals and certified teachers on staff at the UTRCA can help with all levels of the ICE training process, depending on your needs. $500/6 hours/15 – 25 students

The UTRCA can:

  • Host training sessions at Conservation Area facilities,
  • Provide sector representative/specialist involvement in the process,
  • Develop an authentic challenge statement, and
  • Facilitate student participation through the three gears – empathy and needs finding, ideation and prototyping, and strategy and testing.

Introduction to Compass/Map/Global Positioning System (GPS)

This course focuses on mapping, the development of the UTM grid for GPS, and compass skills, and explores the basic use of each technology, including the pros and cons. The culminating task is to complete a course or assignment using each technology individually. $30/student/6 hours

Introduction to Habitat Restoration

Throughout the school year, there are limited opportunities for students to assist in various watershed environmental stewardship projects. The culminating task for this certification is a written assignment. $15/student/3 hours

Activities may include:

  • Tree planting
  • Creating a rain garden
  • Bioengineering
  • Wildflower planting

Introduction to Species Identification

Enjoy a hike to meet some of the species that live in the upper Thames River watershed. Identification skills can be made specific to the group’s interest. $15/student/3 hours

Currently available:

  • Tree ID (fall and spring)

Introduction to Stream Assessment Protocol

Using a Benthic Invertebrate Data Sheet, students gather and tally the number of invertebrates found in a local stream and then use a Family Biotic Index to estimate the overall pollution tolerance of the invertebrate community. The culminating task is the completion of the experience and accompanying worksheet. $15/student/3 hours

Introduction to Watershed Management

Participate in activities designed to help students recognize the interaction of water, plants, animals, and human land use found within the geographic boundary of a watershed. Learn about impacts on Lake Erie and the importance of the Great Lakes basin by taking a tour of the Wildwood Dam and working through scenarios using a floodplain model. The culminating task for this certification is a written assignment. $15/student/3 hours

NOTE: This certification was designed to meet the requirement of the Sector Partner Contextualized Experience.

Leadership Skills

Throughout the school year, there are limited opportunities for students to assist in leadership roles. The culminating task for this certification is a written assignment. $15/student/3 hours

Activities may include:

  • Perth Children’s Water Festival
  • Stratford Earth Day Event

Ontario Envirothon

The Ontario Envirothon is a team-based competition for secondary students who love the outdoors. Students will participate in a workshop day and a competition day, specializing in the areas of forestry, soils, streams, and wildlife as well as a special topic presentation. Registration and dates are determined year to year.

Booking Information

Weather Policy

To ensure safety for all, we reserve the right to re-schedule/modify programs due to weather or unsafe conditions. We do not offer any indoor programming in the event of inclement weather.

Special Needs

We do our best to accommodate needs and make the outing enjoyable for everyone. Please let us know in advance if you have a child with any medical, mobility, or other concerns. An all-terrain wheelchair and a 3-wheeled stroller are available. Let us know in advance if either mobility aid is required.

Cost

See the program descriptions for costs. Fees are subject to change.

Please note:

  • A cancellation fee of half of the total program fee is applied if a teacher cancels with less than two weeks’ notice
  • A minimum fee of $300/3 hour offering or $600/6 hour offering will be applied for bookings of fewer than 20 students

Contact:

Vanni Azzano, Community Education Supervisor