Avian Nest Sweeps and Monitoring Methods – Online
2026-01-14 - 2026-01-15
Location: Fully online
This two-day, fully online Avian Nest Sweeps and Monitoring Methods training provides participants with foundational knowledge to support effective, efficient, and ecologically responsible nest sweeps for breeding birds. After completing this course participants will understand the regulatory and environmental drivers behind nest sweeps and gain tools to plan and conduct these specialize surveys. Being able to perform nest sweeps thoroughly and efficiently is a valuable and applicable skill for environmental professionals.

Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion, participants will be able to:

Develop an appropriate plan for conducting nest sweeps
Identify common types of nests and birds
Select the equipment needed
Apply species and habitat specific survey techniques
Develop efficient data sheets for monitoring nests and reporting survey results
Communicate with clients and regulators to complete effective surveys

What should I bring or supply?
You will need:

Computer
Stable internet access
Pen and paper

Wetland Assessment – Online
2026-01-20 - 2026-01-21
Location: Fully online
Wetland Assessment is an applied, two-day, online with a student led field component course focusing on the step-by-step process of how to characterize, classify, and delineate wetlands in Canada and the northern United States.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion, participants will be able to:

Identify and classify wetlands in the field using keys
Contrast and identify differences between wetland types
Identify wetland indicator species
Identify wetland species associations
Recognize wetland soils
Delineate wetland boundaries
Document a wetland assessment

What do I bring or supply?
You will need:

Computer
Stable internet access
Pen and paper

Please note that each afternoon features a student-led field component. Recommended equipment for these sessions includes:

Waterproof field notebook
Camera (phone camera is acceptable)
Suitable all-weather boots (waterproof)
Appropriate clothing for field work
Field guides to wetland plants
A small soil auger or small shovel
Measuring tape
Google Earth Pro (free download)
Smart phone or printer for reviewing air photos (optional but recommended)
Compass (optional)
GPS (optional)

BC Natural Resources Forum
2026-01-20 - 2026-01-22 | Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, Prince George, BC, Canada
Momentum for Continued Growth: Building B.C.’s Resource Future
This theme reflects a critical time for western Canada’s resource sector—one defined by renewed confidence, accelerated infrastructure and project development, and a strong commitment to inclusive growth through meaningful Indigenous partnerships.

Amphibian and Reptile Salvage Methods – Online
2026-01-21 - 2026-01-22
Location: Fully online
The ability to remove amphibians and reptiles safely and effectively from a work site is an important skill for environmental professionals. This two-day applied course provides students with key skills and knowledge to capture, identify and handle specimens, effectively plan and conduct a herptiles mitigation project, and prevent disease transfer.

What should I bring or supply?
You will need:

Computer
Stable internet access
Pen and paper

Fish Habitat Restoration — Prescription Development – Online
2026-01-23 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver)
Location: Fully online
This one-day Fish Habitat Restoration – Prescription Development course will provide participants with the methodology to develop a comprehensive habitat restoration prescription. Topics include how to inventory your site, investigate, and define historic conditions, identify ecological and traditional values to be restored, establish goals and objectives, develop and execute your restoration and monitoring plan.

What should I bring or supply?
You will need:

Computer
Stable internet access
Pen and paper

Organic Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment — Sampling and Laboratory Techniques – Online
2026-01-26 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-29 09:00 - 11:00
Location: Fully online
Note: This event is split into two sessions over two days; January 26th & January 29th, 2026

Focusing on solvents, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals/personal care products (PPCPs), the course explores how these everyday compounds—originating from households, agriculture, and industry—move through air, water, soil, and organisms. Students will learn why some organics break down quickly while others persist for decades, and how this affects their behavior, toxicity, and potential for bioaccumulation.
The MicroCourse also introduces the key steps in sampling and analysis for water, sediment, and tissue. Participants will gain insight into field and lab techniques used to detect organic contaminants, including how to avoid cross-contamination and interpret results in line with environmental and health guidelines.
Interactive components, including group discussions, case studies, and knowledge checks, help simplify complex chemistry concepts and relate them to real-world applications.
Topics include:

Types and sources of organic contaminants
Mobility, persistence, and bioaccumulation
Sampling methods for water, sediment, and tissue
Handling, transport, and lab analysis
Environmental and human health considerations

This MicroCourse is ideal for environmental professionals, technicians, and anyone working in water quality monitoring or environmental assessment. It offers a clear, engaging foundation for understanding how organic chemicals behave in the environment and why monitoring them is essential for protecting ecosystems and public health.
Format: 2 x 2-hour sessions.

Plant Identification — Level 1 – Online
2026-01-27 09:00 - 13:00
Location: Fully online
You will acquire the foundational knowledge needed for identifying plants to their exact species. We’ll cover the essentials: from understanding plant naming and classification to decoding plant morphology and terminology and mastering the use of botanical keys. Along the way, we’ll navigate common challenges and pitfalls in plant identification, introduce you to useful tools such as field guides and apps, and provide expert guidance on creating a personalized learning plan to advance your skills.
Tailored for beginners or as a refresher for those seeking to reinforce their botanical knowledge, this MicroCourse aims to bolster your confidence in identifying plants and set you on a path for continuous learning and growth in this fascinating field.
Course will be 4 hours long.

Time Series Trend Analysis and Quantitative Environmental Impact Assessments
2026-01-27 09:00 - 2026-02-24 12:00 | Online
The course will be conducted through three-hour online sessions held over five Tuesday mornings, with optional take-home activities available between sessions.

Co-existing with Beavers
2026-01-27 12:30 - 13:30
Amanda Ronnquist, Fuse Consulting Ltd.
Part of the 2025-2026 Community of Practice (CoP) Lunch and Learn Webinar Series, Society for Ecosystem Restoration in Northern BC

Fish Habitat Restoration — Groyne Design and Function in Rivers – Online
2026-01-30 10:00 - 14:00
Location: Fully online
Erosion control is a common challenge in streambank management, and selecting the right tools is key to success. Effective bank protection should maximize stability, minimize environmental impact, and require little to no maintenance. Rock groynes, or flow retarders, provide a versatile solution by harnessing the river’s energy to rebuild banks while offering long-term, maintenance-free protection when properly constructed.
In this MicroCourse, you’ll explore the design and application of rock groynes, with a focus on real-world examples of both successful and unsuccessful projects. Through interactive desktop exercises, participants will gain hands-on experience in designing groynes for streambank protection. Please note: Access to a computer with Google Earth Pro installed is required.
This course is ideal for those looking to enhance their expertise in sustainable, low-maintenance streambank stabilization techniques.
Recommended pre-requisite: Fish Habitat Restoration — Primer on Stream Hydrology
Course will be 4 hours long.

Invasives Forum 2026
2026-02-09 - 2026-02-12 | 777 Columbia Street, 777 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC, V3M 1B6
We’re excited to return to New Westminster this February 2026 for the INVASIVES Forum, where invasive species practitioners, researchers, Indigenous and youth leaders, industry partners, and community members come together to tackle invasive species head-on.
Tomorrow’s landscapes are built by the choices we make today. INVASIVES 2026 is about protecting the places that connect us all through partnership, knowledge, and action. Over the week, we’ll spark bold conversations, showcase innovation, and share real-world strategies for invasive species management.
For more than 20 years, the ISCBC Forum has been at the forefront of invasive species action in B.C. and beyond. This year, our theme, One Landscape, One Future, highlights the connections between working lands, wild spaces, and urban centres and the responsibility we share to steward them.
Join us in New Westminster to celebrate connection, discover new ideas, and shape the future of invasive species management. Can’t join us in person? This year, a virtual option will also be available, so you can still be part of the conversation.
COST VARIES: Early Bird, 1-Day, 2-Day, Virtual tickets for ISCBC Members, Non-Members, Students

AFN Second Annual National Natural Resources Forum
2026-02-10 - 2026-02-11 | TELUS Convention Centre, Calgary, 136 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2P 0K6, Canada
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will host its 2nd Annual Natural Resources Forum on February 10-11, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta.
Under the theme “Strengthening Our Sovereignty,” the AFN National Natural Resources Forum invites First Nations Chiefs, community members, economic development and natural resources officers, technicians, industry representatives, government officials, non-government organizations, and thought leaders to engage in facilitated dialogue, networking, and information sharing on Natural Resources.
Registration is now open for the second annual Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Natural Resources Forum, taking place February 10-11, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta, at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre.
For more information, including registration, accommodation, and travel details, please visit the AFN website at www.afn.ca.
Should you have any questions or need technical assistance, please email NR-RN@afn.ca.

Environmental Technician Certificate Program
2026-02-16 09:00 - 2026-03-20 17:00 | Nanaimo
The Environmental Technician Certificate Program (ETCP) is a five-week, 200-hour training course designed to prepare participants for work as environmental monitors in natural resource sectors. The program includes both classroom and field-based instruction, with field training scheduled on most days. It is intended for individuals seeking to develop or enhance skills relevant to environmental monitoring. Typical participants include field technicians, resource workers, First Nations representatives, individuals entering the industry, and graduates of environmental post-secondary programs.
The ETCP is accredited through the College of Applied Biology and meets the educational criteria for the Applied Biology Technician designation.

ECO IMPACT 2026
2026-02-19 - 2026-02-20 | The Westin Calgary, 320 4 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2S6, Canada
The ECO IMPACT 2026 Learning Series & Awards Gala featured a conference focused on the intersection of technology, workforce development, and environmental sustainability. Participants engaged in sessions exploring emerging trends, skill development for a technology-oriented job market, and networking with professionals active in the environmental sector.
The event brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds—including educators, innovators, and early-career professionals—to discuss the evolving landscape of green careers. Through a combination of learning sessions and an awards gala, ECO IMPACT facilitated cross-sector dialogue, professional development, and recognition of contributions within the environmental field.
While the scope of ECO IMPACT does not fully align with the mandate of Applied Biology, aspects of the event may be of interest or relevance to some registrants.

BC Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH) Action Forum
2026-03-03 | Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5J8, Canada
On March 3, 2026, the BC Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH) Action Forum, hosted by the Tula Foundation, will be held at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo.
​This gathering will unite scientists, government representatives, Indigenous groups, community members, and members of the seafood industry to reflect on progress made through BC’s OAH initiatives. Organizers aim to chart the next phase toward protecting the province’s marine ecosystems and coastal economies from ocean acidification and hypoxia, two major stressors associated with climate change.
​Ocean acidification and hypoxia pose major risks to BC’s seafood industries, with projected losses in the hundreds of millions by 2050. In response, the Province of BC released the BC OAH Action Plan in 2023, developed with input from scientists, communities, Indigenous groups, and government representatives. Since its release, the Province has invested $1.7 million into 11 OAH research and mitigation projects through the Climate Ready BC Seafood Program.
​The goals of the forum are to:

Assess achievements and opportunities within the Climate Ready BC Seafood Program;
Summarize ongoing OAH mitigation efforts across all sectors;
Document accomplishments and remaining needs under the BC OAH Action Plan;
Bridge knowledge, networks, and efforts to foster long-term collaborations supporting sustainable OAH initiatives.

​The forum and its outputs will be critical in identifying priority next steps to help safeguard coastal resources against OAH, in alignment with the BC provincial governments Coastal Marine Strategy and Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy.There will be an online option for those unable to attend in person.
​To receive updates and registration details, please complete the interest form at:
https://forms.gle/oiC56XGwqECq8dwD7

Northern B.C. Ecosystem Restoration Community of Practice Webinar: Managing Invasive Reed Canarygrass - Catherine Tarasoff, Agrowest
2026-03-31 00:00 | Online via Teams
Part of the Northern BC CoP: Lunch ‘n’ Learn Webinar Series
Format: 45-minute talk followed by 15-minute Q&A
Join Catherine Tarasoff from Agrowest Consulting Scientists for a talk about cutting edge management tactics for reed canarygrass. Reed canarygrass is one of our most widely distributed and aggressive riparian invasive species. Catherine will highlight her research using UAVs (drones) for mapping and benthic barriers for control of reed canarygrass.
Catherine will share results from current work using benthic barriers to control the invasive plant reed canarygrass. She has had phenomenal success with spontaneous native plant regeneration following the removal of reed canarygrass. As well, Catherine is underway with a challenging project using UAVs to map reed canarygrass along riparian corridors. She has excellent preliminary results to share with the group; and, some practical application tidbits for those considering using UAVs for mapping.

Northern B.C. Ecosystem Restoration Community of Practice Webinar: Getting Into (ER) Consulting - Robin Routledge, Recon Environmental
2026-04-07 00:00 | Online via Teams, 10207 109 Ave, Fort St. John, BC, V1J 4N5
Part of the Northern BC CoP: Lunch ‘n’ Learn Webinar Series
Join Robin Routledge, President of Recon Environmental Ltd., for a webinar focused on establishing and operating an environmental consulting firm. The session will provide practical insights into the restoration and reclamation sectors alongside challenges that come with being a new company in a very competitive industry.
Robin will also address stakeholder and community engagement, regulatory considerations, and the operational and strategic differences between working as an employee and leading a consultancy as an owner.
Whether you are considering starting your own firm, growing an existing business, or wondering about the realities of entrepreneurship in environmental consulting, please join to learn with and from one another.

College of Applied Biologists 2026 Annual Conference
2026-04-09 - 2026-04-10 | Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1X3, Canada
The College’s 2026 Conference is on April 9-10, 2026 at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC on the traditional lands of the of the Songhees Nation and the Xwsepsum Nation. Read on for more information about the speakers and panels.
Registrants will have the opportunity to participate in the Conference through a live web broadcast. Registrants who attend the Conference will be able to claim a maximum of 14 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. More information about CPD can be found here. Conference registration is non-refundable and non-transferable after April 6, 2026.
Registration
Registering for the College’s 2026 Conference is easy. Simply navigate to the College’s portal, log-in, and select the 2026 Conference from the Events section.
You’ll be able to select your ticket, choose add-ons for additional opportunities to participate, and checkout — all within the portal! If you don’t have a profile on the College’s portal, that’s ok. You can quickly sign up with just your name and email and then access the event registration as normal.
COSTS
In-person and virtual costs are listed here: https://cab.pathwisedev.ca/about-the-college/college-conference-agm/

Northern B.C. Ecosystem Restoration Community of Practice Webinar: Introducing the Forest Ecosystem Simulator (ForES) - Kelsey Gritter and Eric Neilson, Canadian Forest Service
2026-04-21 00:00 | Online via Teams, 10207 109 Ave, Fort St. John, BC, V1J 4N5
Part of the Northern BC CoP: Lunch ‘n’ Learn Webinar Series
Join Kelsey Gritter and Eric Neilson for an overview and demo of the Forest Ecosystem Simulator (ForES).
ForES allows the user to test the outcomes of different harvest prescriptions under climate change to examine the impacts on caribou habitat quality. It simulates both forest succession and wildfire and is a spatially explicit tool.

ABWRET-A (F25) Blended Course
2026-04-24 11:00 - 14:00 | Blended online/offline
The Alberta Wetland Rapid Evaluation Tool – Actual (ABWRET-A) (F25) Blended Course introduces learners to the Government of Alberta’s wetland function assessment tool and its application in the context of Alberta Water Act approvals. The course covers foundational knowledge and practical components relevant to the tool’s use.
The course is available anytime following registration, though the interactive class portion is offered Friday, April 24, 2026.

Workshop: Improving Restoration Effectiveness in the Northeast
2026-04-29 00:00 - 2026-05-01 00:00 | North Peace Cultural Centre, 10015 100 Ave, Fort St. John, BC, V1J 1Y7
We are excited to announce the upcoming northeast region Community of Practice workshop taking place in Fort St. John from April 29-30 with a field tour May 1.
This collaborative event brings together professionals, Indigenous knowledge holders, restoration practitioners, and community leaders to share insights, build relationships, and improve restoration effectiveness in northeast B.C. and beyond.

College of Applied Biologists Annual General Meeting
2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:00
The meeting is for College registrants. The meeting will be delivered via Zoom and is to be held on May 13 at 12:00 – 1:00 pm PDT.
REGISTER HERE
The meeting will review the 2025 audited financial statements and annual operational, business and committee reports. Attendance is eligible for 1 CPD hour.

Riparian Areas Protection Regulation
2026-05-26 00:00 - 2026-05-29 00:00 | Online/North Vancouver, Online/North Vancouver, Online/North Vancouver, BC - British Columbia
Format
Day 1 and 2: Online/Remote
9 am Zoom meeting each morning followed by online module work composed of readings, micro-lectures and exercises. Participants should plan to work on course until approximately 4pm each day.
Day 3: On-site field practice
Field-based exercises in the morning, followed by a field exam in the afternoon. Participants should bring lunch and expect to be in the field until approximately 4pm. Specific location will be provided during Programs.
Day 4: Online/Remote
9 am Zoom meeting followed by an online written exam. Participants can expect to finish course work around mid-day.

Dr Garry Merkel RPF presentation on ecological management of BC forests towards sustainable forestry
2026-05-28 00:00 | Virtual
A virtual presentation by Dr Garry Merkel, RPF. CAB registrants are invited to plug in to this virtual presentation hosted (no charge to attend) by APB. Garry’s topic: ‘A review of different approaches to ecologically sound management of forests in BC towards the goal of ‘sustainable forestry’.

Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference
2026-06-03 - 2026-06-05 | Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5J8, Canada
The Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference is committed to celebrating accomplishments and fostering meaningful, equitable partnerships that support Indigenous-led economic participation in BC’s Natural Resource Sector. Our objective is to facilitate building enduring partnerships between Indigenous communities and the resource sector through sustainable and respectful resource development. By building these relationships, IROC seeks to promote inclusivity, self-determination, economic empowerment, and the protection of Indigenous rights and culture at all stages of resource development.

Bat Acoustics Training
2026-06-15 00:00 - 2026-06-19 00:00 | Kamloops Location, To Be Determined, Kamloops, British Columbia
Bat Acoustics Training Course – Techniques and Analysis
Instructor: Dr. Cori Lausen, WCS Canada Director of Bat Conservation
Location: Kamloops, BC.
Dates: June 15–19, 2026.
To find out more information and to be considered for the 2026 course, please complete this form as soon as possible: https://tinyurl.com/WCSBatAcousticCourse.
Application/inquiry on or before 15 Feb is strongly advised.

BC Cumulative Effects Framework- Guidance for Natural Resource Professionals (Option 1)
2026-06-17 00:00 | Online – MS Teams
The Government of British Columbia has released new guidance materials under the Cumulative Effects Framework (CEF) to support the consideration of cumulative effects in applications for land and resource use activities, where required by regulating agencies.
These materials are intended to support applied biology professsionals, who are involved in the planning, assessment, and preparation of applications for natural resource projects across British Columbia.
The new Cumulative Effects Analysis Guidance for Qualified Environmental Professionals and three CEF Assessment User Guides (for Aquatic Ecosystems, Grizzly Bear, and Forest Biodiversity values) are now available on the BC CEF website.
You are encouraged to use these materials when considering cumulative effects in your practice.
In June, the CEF team will host a webinar to introduce these new guidance materials to College Registrants. The webinar will be offered on two separate dates (June 17, 10-11am & June 22, 2-3pm); please register for the session that best fits your schedule.

BC Cumulative Effects Framework- Guidance for Natural Resource Professionals (Option 2)
2026-06-22 00:00 | Online – MS Teams
The Government of British Columbia has released new guidance materials under the Cumulative Effects Framework (CEF) to support the consideration of cumulative effects in applications for land and resource use activities, where required by regulating agencies.
These materials are intended to support applied biology professionals, who are involved in the planning, assessment, and preparation of applications for natural resource projects across British Columbia.
The new Cumulative Effects Analysis Guidance for Qualified Environmental Professionals and three CEF Assessment User Guides (for Aquatic Ecosystems, Grizzly Bear, and Forest Biodiversity values) are now available on the BC CEF website.
You are encouraged to use these materials when considering cumulative effects in your practice.
In June, the CEF team will host a webinar to introduce these new guidance materials to College registrants. The webinar will be offered on two separate dates (June 17, 10-11am & June 22, 2-3pm); please register for the session that best fits your schedule.

Fire Effects Monitoring Workshop
2026-06-22 00:00 - 2026-06-24 00:00 | Kelowna Fire Department Training Facility, 2255 Enterprise Way, Kelowna, BC, Kelowna, British Columbia
Fire is a moment. Monitoring tells the whole story. Fire ecology and fire effects are increasingly recognized as essential to effective prescribed fire, restoration, and wildfire risk reduction. This workshop focuses on translating fire behaviour into ecological outcomes. It helps participants deepen their understanding of how fire influences fuels, vegetation, and soils (and other values) over time, well beyond the day of ignition.
Through applied field and classroom work, you will learn how post-fire patterns and severity shape ecosystem response months and years after a burn. It also prepares you with monitoring that can be used to make those effects visible and measurable. The emphasis is on interpretation, using fire effects knowledge to inform future prescriptions, adaptive management, and long-term land stewardship decisions.
Visit the course page for detailed learning outcomes and the agenda. You do not need any fire experience to achieve value from this workshop.
