A Deep Dive into School of Natural Environment

We both can agree that protecting the environment is in our nature. We love sharing that with you! Our nationally recognized School of Natural Environment programs focus on conservation, environmental protection, and exploring natural resources through field-based study.

 

Pathways

 Sault College has partnerships with many universities, to help our students further their studies by completing a diploma right here, and then completing two more years for a degree with a partnering university. 
 

Program NameDegree
Adventure Recreation & Parks TechnicianBachelor of Science
Fish and Wildlife Conservation TechnicianBachelor of Science
Fish and Wildlife Conservation TechnicianBachelor of Science  (Honours), Environmental and Resource Science
Forestry Technician - ConservationBachelor of Science
Forestry Technician - ConservationBachelor of Science  (Honours), Environmental and Resource Science
Natural Environment Technician - Conservation and ManagementBachelor of Science
Natural Environment Technician - Conservation and ManagementBachelor of Science  (Honours), Environmental and Resource Science

 

Click here for more information about our pathways


 

Postsecondary Graduate Debt

Median debt amount at graduation for students in the agriculture, natural resources and conservation field of study, which includes natural resources, fishing, wildlife, forestry, conservation, environmental law, and urban forestry program areas:
 

CollegeBachelor's
$17,458$21,314

 

Median debt amount at graduation for students in the health and related
field of study
, which includes outdoor recreation program areas:
 

CollegeBachelor's
$9,965$26,652

 

Median debt amount at graduation for students in the social and behavioural sciences and law field of study, which includes environmental sustainability program areas:
 

CollegeBachelor's
$13,782$20,651

 

 

Salary Expectations

Job TitleHourly Wage
Adventure Site Interpreter$15.00 - $21.64
Biological  Technician/Technologist$17.69 - $35.38
Environmental Officer$21.00 - $52.00
Fish and Wildlife/Conservation Officer$23.08 - $45.60
Forestry and Silviculture Worker$16.35 - $30.00
Forestry Technician$19.78 - $47.45
Greenhouse Supervisor$16.58 - $35.00
Landscape and Horticulture Technician$15.50 - $27.54
Natural Resources Analyst$26.44 - $60.44
Recreation Program Leader$15.00 - $25.50


 

Labour Market Conditions

Adventure Site Interpreter

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line through 2028 in Canada,   with new job openings arising from expansion demand and replacement demand are expected to total   4,100 , while   3,100   new job seekers are expected to be available to fill them.

Biological Technician/Technologist

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group through 2028 in Canada. Employment growth in Ontario will lead to a moderate number of new positions. Trends contributing to employment growth are investments in life sciences and research, initiatives related to advancements in agriculture to address the impact of climate change, wildlife management, and support of the aquatic ecosystem.

Environmental Officer

Employment grown in Ontario will lead to several new positions and several positions available due to retirements.  Employers out there may have a need for this role due to ongoing concerns and regulations related to environmental safety, and  mandatory inspections to maintain enhanced public health standards and trends.

Fish and Wildlife/Conservation Officer*

Projected job openings for this occupation group in Ontario for the period 2021-2025 expects to see 62% new jobs and 38% replacement jobs (e.g. from retirements), compared to 50% and 50% for all occupations. The job outlook for the north region of Ontario expects job postings to exceed the provincial share.

*Source: Ontario Labour Market

Forestry and Silviculture Worker

Job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar levels in Canada through 2028.   Employment growth in Ontario is expected to have a moderate number of new positions and several positions due to retirements. 

Forestry Technician*

According to every recent employer poll, forestry in Canada is about to face an employment crisis with an insufficient number of trained forestry professionals and workers available as current employees retire. Sault College Forestry Technician - Conservation graduates are sought after by a wide variety of employers hoping to fill the following job types: resource and lands technicians, firefighting technicians, federal and provincial research technicians, photo interpretation analysts, inventory field workers and supervisors, greenhouse supervisors, insect and disease rangers, forest industry scalers, foremen and harvesting supervisors. Our graduates may find work in the forestry sector soon after graduation. A reality of today`s world though is that work will generally be available to new graduates on a contract basis for a few years until your work abilities are demonstrated. The willingness to move throughout Ontario or Canada is a definite asset when looking for a job.

*Source: Click here for the Forestry Technician - Conservation  program page

Greenhouse Supervisor

Employment growth will lead to several new positions in Ontario for this occupation group. Employment will be affected by healthy levels of activities in non-residential and residential construction and in the housing resale market to provide landscaping services, a rebound in amusement and recreational facilities, following setbacks during the pandemic, changes to environmental and energy regulations allowing green roofs on certain buildings expanding protections to natural areas, public sector investments in agricultural and horticultural clusters, increased greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production in Ontario,  and opportunities in the cannabis industry.

Landscape and Horticulture Technician

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group in Canada through 2028, with new job openings arising from expansion demand and replacement demand expected to total   8,300 , while   7,200   new job seekers  are expected to be available to fill them.   Employment growth in Ontario will lead to a moderate number of new positions and a moderate number of positions due to retirements. Trends contributing to employment growth is public sector investments in agricultural and horticultural clusters, and farms, nursery and floriculture production.

Natural Resources Analyst

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group through 2027 in Canada, with   new job openings arising from expansion demand and replacement demand are expected to total   11,200 , while   11,100   new job seekers are expected to be available to fill them.

Recreation Program Leader

As job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar levels oin Canada through 2028, the balance between labour supply and demand seen in recent years is expected to continue. Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions. The main sectors that this occupation  group works in are arts, entertainment and recreation, local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration, and other schools and instruction.

 

A Deep Dive Into Your Career Path

Click here for a deep dive into our other areas of study, including advantages to attending college and  source information for  postsecondary graduate debt,  salary expectations and labour market conditions.