Students interested in the art and science of field botany and restoration ecology now have a rare opportunity. Those selected will receive practical hands-on experience in vegetation ecology and species-at-risk surveys from a qualified professional and expert botanist.

Botanical work will focus on vegetation surveys along the length of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve. The project will culminate in the publication of a book. The survey methodology will consist of hiking trail systems, camping, and driving between sites. Work takes place primarily over weekend dates, not including statutory holidays. 

Eligibility for this program includes:
• Enthusiasm with a sense of humor;
• comfortable hiking and working in small groups;
• able to work independently and as part of a team; and
• a strong communicator with the ability to take notes.

Intern Botanists are asked to commit for a minimum of once per month from May to October, approximately 4 – 8 hours per hike. You will spend up to 2 – 4 hours per day entering data collected from field visits into the database. Alternatively, you may choose to spend up to a month entering data after program completion.

Mentorship Program in Field Botany

Earthquest (Canada) for the Environment

Sales Wolves

Earthquest (Canada) for the Environment was founded by Dave Jolly in 1988 as a nonprofit organization. From 1997 to 2010, we operated as a registered Canadian nonprofit charity dedicated to the conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species at their habitats. We ran international research and conservation expeditions to Central and South America, as well as Southeast Asia from 1991 to 2001. In 2004, we opened the first and only biological field school in Canada for those seeking to upgrade their skills in order to qualify for jobs in the environment sector. Our programs, projects, and courses are designed to provide participants with practical hands-on experience with birds and bats, and plants and other fauna.

Earthquest (Canada) for the Environment was founded by Dave Jolly in 1988 as a nonprofit organization. From 1997 to 2010, we operated as a registered Canadian nonprofit charity dedicated to the conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species at their habitats. We ran international research and conservation expeditions to Central and South Ame...

Earthquest (Canada) for the Environment's plant field identification courses go beyond any college or university-level courses and meet or surpass the expectations of employers in the environmental industry. 

Some North American colleges and universities offer curricula that lack what employers need. We've had numerous graduates from these institutions who take courses after graduating, and all agree that they learn how to field identify vascular plants by family, genus, and species much quicker and more accurately than they did from any college or university course. As a result, employers are sending their staff to Earthquest field botany courses to gain intensive hands-on practical field skills for a short time.

Earthquest integrates the rare plant survey methodology into all plant courses in such a way that students learn where to look for rare plants, how to look based on visual characteristics exhibited by the plants, and when to look based on seasonality, habitat, eco-site, soils, hydrology, geology, and distribution. Earthquest courses focus more on what college and university courses miss—herbaceous plants found in the herb and ground layers.

Study Abroad Field Botany Courses 

Ethnobotany of Ontario

Travel to Nicaragua and participate in research projects on tropical bats on Ometepe Island. This 14-day field course is most suitable for students interested in learning more about tropical bats, or designing a field research project on some aspect of their ecology.

The second field course is offered in Ontario, Canada. For the first time Earthquest (Canada) for the Environment is offering the unique opportunity to study and observe bats, their ecology, identification, and survey methodology. This is intensive three-day field course is designed to fill knowledge gaps and survey protocol for up to eight species of Ontario bats, which may be found on projects.

Identification and survey methodology includes searching for Ontario's three federally listed endangered species – Tri-colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus), Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), and Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis). Graduates of the course will become well-versed in bat identification and survey methodology for projects with First Nations, Métis groups, environmental consulting firms, and other environmental jobs which deal with acquiring data for reports from Environmental Assessments (EA).

Bat Identification & Survey Field Courses

Bat survey

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Canada

Nicaragua

Study Abroad

Adventure Travel

Intern Abroad

Fantastic in-depth expert field training 

I spent 4 weeks on the FMBP course in August 2023. During this time I learnt to identify over 20 families of vascular plants and was additionally trained in the use of GIS software. This experience subsequently assisted me in obtaining a job in the conservation sector in my home country. During my stay , Dave wasaninc iredibly knowledgeable and helpful teacher and also welcomed me into his community which supported me when being so far away from home. I would recommend his courses to anyone. 

Exceeded all my expectations

Wasn't sure what to expect from this experience but exceeded all my hopes. Dave is a kind and generous instructor who made me feel very welcome in Canada and introduced me to his family and friends so that I felt integrated into a community. On top of this he is extremely knowledgeable and I felt I came away with more practical knowledge of plants than ever taught in my biology courses at university. Hopefully I can continue this going forward.  The lodge where you stay is comfortable and right next to the beach and Dave charges extremely reasonable prices for rent and fuel etc so you can budget accordingly. With Dave I got to explore so many field sites in Ontario as well as manitoulin island and Pelee island, and I feel in love with the area and the kindness of the people. I will definitely be back, thanks again Dave ! Ellie

Ethnobotany - Level 1

This course, held locally in Ontario, exceeded my expectations. Dave is incredibly knowledgeable, an enthusiastic and generous instructor. I have built the foundation I wanted and learned so much more.

Bat course

Excellent course. There was lots of hands on experience with the field work portion of the course and lots of open discussion opportunities. Limited class size allows for a greater transfer of knowledge from the very knowledgable instructor Dave.

Level 3 asters and golden rods

Dave was very knowledgeable and patient.  I learned so much and I loved how the practical meshed with the theory.  I'm a hands on learner so his approach of the classroom being in the field worked perfectly for me.

Field botany mentorship program

Field Botany Mentorship Program - an excellent opportunity to increase your skills in field botany and surveying practices. I particularly enjoyed the work with species at risk and applying ELC throughout each trip.

Earthquest mentorship

The time I spent working alongside Dave was valuable in increasing my knowledge on plant families, genera, and general surveying methods. I learned a lot about the environmental industry, whether it was consulting itself, or the process of restoring at-risk species, and it was very useful to interact with someone who as experience in these fields as well. It was quite helpful for guiding my goals, and for knowing the next steps in bettering my skills and becoming more qualified for a job in the environmental industry. It felt nice to re-immerse myself into field ecology and conducting botanical surveys, and I am happy to have taken the time throughout the summer to learn more about the plants in our backyards and see some of the rare plant populations that exist in southern Ontario.

Worth the 8 hour drive

I graduated in 2015 with a BS in Biology and a BS in Environmental Science with the hopes of getting into Environmental/Ecological Consulting or ecological Research but that hasn't happened. I have field experience from my undergraduate course work but that wasn't enough. This course not only provides valuable Bat Identification and survey information but it also helps navigate the policy and law side of consulting as well as provides unique field practice I've not found anywhere else.

Browse program options, read reviews and interviews, view photos, and apply to go abroad with Earthquest (Canada) for the Environment.

Earthquest (Canada) for the Environment

Why choose Earthquest (Canada) for the Environment?