Courses

4 Seasons X 10 Plants = One Amazing Landscape!

Four seasons and a total of ten plants in each season can be the foundation for a marvelous garden, with excitement in every season.

Advanced Principles & Concepts of Ecological Restoration

An advanced investigation into the meaning, limits, and significance of ecological restoration.

Bee Friendly! Plant Pollinators this Fall

This presentation will talk about various trees, shrubs, perennials and annual plants that are attractive to pollinating insects including the western honey bee, bumble bee and blue orchard mason bee. You will discover how to select pollinator plants to establish meadows that support a honey bee’s colony health, foraging, nectar, pollen and propolis.

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

This course gives students an understanding of biodiversity and conservation biology as scientific disciplines whose aims are to reduce impacts of human activities on biological diversity.

Bountiful Kitchen Gardens

Spring is the time to plan your kitchen garden! Over the past few years, kitchen and potager gardens have become extremely popular.

Climate Change and the Ocean

As our planet warms, the global ocean is feeling it. Marine heat waves and coral bleaching events are on the increase while Arctic sea ice shrinks and oxygen levels decline.

Demystifying Newton’s Laws of Motion

Newton's Laws of Motion—a body at rest stays at rest, a body in motion stays in motion, every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and so on—are vitally important to understanding the world around us.

Design Principles for Natural Processes

Ecological restoration is a rapidly changing subject. Practitioners and professionals faced with restoration of degraded ecosystems are seeking ways to restore these systems in the face of climate change and continued urban expansion.

Down the Rabbit Hole – Quantum Physics for Nonphysicists

What does this "quantum" word even mean? Does it sound too hard for someone like you? Do you really need to be super smart to understand it?

Ecosystem Design through Propagation of Native Plants

This is an advanced course on ecosystem design that considers the ecology and reproductive biology of plants when restoring ecosystems. We’ll also explore the implications for green or living roofs and the impact of climate change.

Ecosystems for the Future

This week-long online learning session will bring into focus the practice of restoration of ecosystems at the local and regional level in British Columbia through a series of presentations delivered by faculty from UVic's School of Environmental Studies, First Nations speakers and Elders, and professionals whose work intersects with ecology in diverse ways.

Ecosystems of British Columbia, Canada, and the World

This course is a survey of world ecosystems, with special reference to British Columbia and Canada. Each ecosystem is discussed with respect to their distribution, composition, structure and function.

Ecorestoration Strategies: Case Studies

The course will examine a selection of ecological restoration projects that will present a range of specific sites. An international selection of case studies will be selected from British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, United States, Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia and South America.

Environmental Restoration Project

This course involves a planning and participating in a real restoration project. The project is usually done in partnership with a community group, government department or industry partner. If you are working in a related field, the project can be based on activities for your job with prior approval from the Academic Administrator.

Ethical, Legal, and Policy Aspects of Environment Restoration

Environmental restoration is a value-laden activity. It takes place within a societal framework of ethics, laws and politics. Ethics influence which actions are considered appropriate by society, while laws determine what is legally required or permissible and policies govern how things are done.

Explorations in Ecotourism: Coastal Treasures

More than just a travelogue, this course will introduce you to the concept of ecotourism as well as some of the management challenges confronting special places such as parks, heritage sites and fragile landscapes.

Field Study in Ecological Restoration I

This course is meant to introduce you to a range of basic techniques for field study. You will learn some basic methodologies commonly used in the field of ecological restoration.

Field Study in Ecological Restoration II

This is an advanced field study course involving ecosystem mapping and detailed site evaluation (prescription). The first two mornings will be spent in the classroom, but the course will largely be taught in the field at sites on Royal Roads/DND lands.

Fire Ecology

In this 5-day intensive course students will be introduced to fire ecology and restoration through in-class lectures, discussions, and field work.

Forest Restoration and Sustainable Forestry

International organizations, governments and citizen organizations are concerned about the state of global forests, particularly their loss and degradation. The importance of forests in the global carbon cycle—and in mitigating and adapting to climate change—is now widely recognized.

From Coast to Coast to Coast: Partnerships with Indigenous Communities to Advance Ocean Monitoring

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) holds an organizational commitment to Indigenous engagement with communities across Canada.

Fungal and Plant Ecosystems: System Thinking and the Balance in BC Forests

How will the study of mycorrhizal fungi change the way we view and work with BC forests?

Fungi and Forest Ecology

This lecture and walk will explore how fungi, most of which are largely invisible to the casual observer, play significant roles as decomposers, parasites, and beneficial symbionts.

Fusion and Fission: A Nuclear Physics Crash Course

Most of us are familiar with the vocabulary of nuclear science: fission, fusion, half life, alpha, beta and gamma rays. In this course, we will learn the origin and meaning of these terms.

Galiano Island Field Study

Compressed format field study focused on regenerative and restorative designs for ecological and social resilience. Skills and concepts will be honed through real world community engagement. Semi-distance format requiring attendance on Galiano Island for nine days.

Illustration of globe with data points and contour lines.

GIS Skills and Mapping

Join us in the abundant world of data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This course focuses on the fundamentals of GIS for in-field employment, and future courses like Mapping with Drones!

Gardening for Wildlife- Deer not welcome!

Attract wildlife to your garden such as butterflies, birds and bees. You will learn how to attract beneficial insects to your garden to help pollinate your vegetables, herbs and fruit trees

Gardening with Native Plants

In this workshop, you will learn how gardening with our local native plants can give you a water-saving, low-maintenance garden that brings colour all season long, making them the ultimate ecological choice.

Gardens in History: Japanese Gardens

Throughout garden history Japanese gardens have been revered for their flawless design details and inspirational compositions, properties which have elevated them from mere gardens to havens of peace, serenity and introspection.

Gardens in History: Victorian and Edwardian Gardens

If gardens could speak, what stories would they tell? Gardens involve plants, design, exploration, innovation, wealth, politics and empire.

Green Shores™ Training Program: Level 1 Workshop

Protecting shorelines in the face of climate change and sea level rise has largely focused on building seawalls and dikes.

Green Shores Level 1 Workshop

A workshop on protecting shorelines in the face of climate change and sea level rise has largely focused on building seawalls and dikes for participants of the Coastal Zone Canada Conference 2023 and others interested in the Green Shores training.

Green Shores™ Training Program: Level 2 Workshop

Protecting shorelines in the face of climate change and sea level rise has largely focused on building seawalls and dikes. The Green Shores program offers viable alternatives to shoreline protection.

How to Talk about Climate Change Without Overheating

What is stopping decision makers from moving faster when it comes to stopping climate change? The best advice is to talk about it, but extreme weather, biodiversity loss or our own anxiety isn't very appealing. In this course, you will learn about behaviour change science and skills so you can effectively engage with others.

If You Could Only Have One - A Specimen Tree for your garden

The Pacific Northwest has a climate that enables us to grow a wide selection of trees that are suited for a residential landscape. If you want to learn how to make the best choice for a specimen tree that stands out and suits your property, this course is for you!

Introduction to Backyard Beekeeping

Wanna Bee Savvy this Spring? This course is designed for individuals who want to get started with beekeeping and currently have no bees.

Introduction to Biology and Natural History

This online self-study course is for people looking to gain foundational, scientifically sound, knowledge in biology and natural history.

Introduction to Chemistry

This online tutorial course is designed to provide background for those who intend to enrol in a university-level introductory general chemistry course.

Introduction to Fruit Tree Pruning

We will look at pruning techniques for fruit trees for the upcoming winter months, along with some discussion on summer pruning. Apple and pear tree pruning will be the main focus but we will also look at pruning other fruit trees.

Introduction to Mycology

This course will guide you independently at your own pace through 10 units so that you can attain an understanding of the features of fungi and the roles they play in pathology, nutrient cycling, agriculture, biological control, food, medicine, forests and our urban environments.

Introduction to Winter Pruning of Fruit Trees

Want to make your orchard a cut above the rest? This course will cover essential winter pruning techniques used on apple and pear trees to improve tree health and improve fruit production.

Invasive Species and Novel Ecosystems

In this course we’ll examine the biology of invasive species, focusing on the life-history adaptations and dispersal strategies that contribute to their success at both the individual and population levels.

Landscape Design for the Pacific Northwest

Have you always wanted to be able to create your own accurate and professional looking garden design plans? Join Jeff de Jong for this online course that guarantees to be inspiring, challenging and rewarding.

Mapping with Drones 1

Mapping with Drones 1 will take your knowledge toolkit to new and exciting heights! This course focuses on foundational knowledge and skills you need to operate a small drone and map your data output.

Silhouette of drone operator against sunset.

Mapping with Drones 2

Mapping with Drones 2 builds upon many of the foundational skills covered in the GIS Skills and Mapping with Drones 1 courses.

Marine Birds

This series of lectures, illustrated with slides and dramatic video presentations, is ideal for birders and naturalists interested in learning more about local marine birds and bird behaviour.

Mason Bees: An Incredible Pollinator to Host in your Garden

In this bee-loving workshop, you will learn about mason bees and how you can host them while benefitting from their incredible pollinating skills for larger fruits and vegetables.

Mathematical Skills

This non-credit preparatory course provides a review of the fundamental concepts and problem-solving skills taught prior to Grade 12.

Medieval to Renaissance: The Evolution of Botanical Illustration

This course surveys the astonishing historical range and visual diversity of the art of depicting flowers and other plants in paintings, prints and drawings.

Mining Reclamation

This course examines mine reclamation and considers the impacts of mines—and mining practices—on natural systems and landscapes. Through lectures and on-site visits, we’ll discuss a variety of topics.

More Bulbs for Your Buck

Jeff de Jong is going to transform your garden into a place that will continue to flourish and be more beautiful year after year. This talk will focus on design and bulb choices that will add beauty and value to any yard.

Mushrooms of Greater Victoria

Join Andy MacKinnon and Kem Luther for an exploration of mushrooms found locally in the Greater Victoria Area. An evening presentation on wild mushrooms, fungus groups, and identification will be followed by a full day in the field and classroom collecting, sorting, and identifying. Kem and Andy are cofounders of the Metchosin Biodiversity Project.

Nature Explorations at Yellow Point Lodge

In spring, the world is alive—the meadow of sea blush and camas; mink, otter, hummingbirds, eagles and blue herons are pursuing their springtime agendas; forests are fresh and green; sea is alive with birds and sea life. Join us for leisurely days of learning, explorations and delicious meals at Yellow Point Lodge. Presenters may include biologists Marc Bell, David Denning, Darren and Claudia Copley, and pianist Bruce Vogt.

Non-Timber Forest Management and Sustainable Use by Major Forest Zones in BC

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are an often-overlooked resource in British Columbia. This is despite their importance to Aboriginal Peoples and an increasing realization that some products—such as edible mushrooms and floral greenery—support multi-million dollar industries.

Nurturing a Conservation Ethic

Societies today are increasingly disconnected from nature and plugged into technology. What does this disconnect mean for conservation in British Columbia?

Plants in the Landscape

In this 8 week course, you will learn how to design beautiful gardens and select plants best suited to specific landscapes and climates.

Powerful Earthquakes and Tsunamis and How to Tackle Them

Even though the west coast of North America is a beautiful, pristine, quiet, and relaxing environment, it has also been subject to powerful earthquakes triggering devastating tsunamis. This lecture will provide some answers, through the history of research and modern understanding of our tectonic settings, and the latest recommendations to survive the next big one.

Principles and Concepts of Ecological Restoration

This course introduces you to the practice of ecological restoration. We’ll start by examining the physical and biological characteristics of ecosystems as well as the need to maintain and restore them. We’ll also examine natural and human-caused changes, at ecosystem to species levels, while considering the philosophy and ethics of restoration within legal and policy frameworks.

Restoration Ecology

This course provides advanced instruction on the ecological theory underlying restoration projects, emphasizing the unexpected connections that can have significant implications.

Restoration of Freshwater Aquatic Systems

This course provides students with a holistic view and appreciation for the ecology of aquatic ecosystems and a watershed approach to developing restoration plans.

Restoration of Marine Aquatic Systems

In this course, you’ll explore marine coastal systems and their restoration potential from an ecological perspective, with particular emphasis on the British Columbia/Washington coasts. Lectures focused on broader scale marine ecosystem impacts and restoration issues are supplemented by hands-on field exercises and research activities focusing on local issues.

Science Communication for Ecological Restoration

This course will provide you with skills and tools for effective leadership in ecological restoration.

Selection and Propagation of Native Plants for Ecological Restoration

This course introduces students to the principles of native plant selection and propagation to meet site-specific ecosystem restoration objectives.

Seminar in Environmental Restoration

This course consists of the ER390 presentation and a portfolio that is a compilation of the major projects from ER311, 312A and 312B plus one elective to be determined in consultation with the RNS Program’s Academic Administrator.

Small Wonders

Small plants seem to try harder. They have outstanding colours, unusual shapes and many are tough as nails.

Soil Conservation and Restoration

This course covers the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soils and their relationship to restoration.

Southern Resident Killer Whales: an Assessment of How they are Doing

The southern resident killer whale (SRKW) population is under pressure from a number of assaults, including toxins, noise, and a lack of food. This lecture will review their behaviours and natural tendencies, and assess the three stressors impacting their survival.

Special Topics in Ecological Restoration: Climate Change in Ecological Restoration

In this new online course, you will explore how climate change can impact the direction of restoration activities through course activities and exploration of current literature.

Special Topics in Environmental Restoration

Topics for this course will vary each time it is offered. Past course topics include native plant propagation, environmental policy and fire ecology.

Special Topics in Environmental Restoration: Climate Change in Ecological Restoration

Climate change has many implications for how we conceptualize and practice ecological restoration. In this new online course, you will explore how climate change can impact the direction of restoration activities through course activities and exploration of current literature.

Special Topics in Environmental Restoration: Invasive Species and Novel Ecosystems

In this special topics course, you will learn about invasive species and novel ecosystems where you will focus on the life-history adaptations and dispersal strategies that contribute to their success at both the individual and population levels.

Success with Honey Bees: Backyard Beekeeping

In your first year of beekeeping or intend to start in the future? This course will teach you the key steps to maintain a successful backyard apiary.

The Earth Laughs in Flowers

Just in time for Earth Day and Mother's Day. Imagine a container that celebrates the beauty of flowering plants.

The Metaphysics of Quantum Physics

The primary purpose of this course is to make you friends with the concepts of metaphysics and quantum mechanics. You are not required to have a background in math or science to register for this course.

Borders that Break the Rules

It's a gardeners dream to have long sweeping herbaceous perennial borders stuffed with flowering plants that all bloom in unison.

The Red Planet

For millennia, Mars has been an object of fascination and curiosity. As our nearest and most earth-like neighbour, it holds the highest potential for the discovery of life, and perhaps future colonization by humans.

The Six Senses

Join Jeff de Jong in this class to explore the six senses of gardening. Plants, projects, and other ways to get all you can from your garden will be shared.

Trees of Victoria

In this series you will learn the basics of tree biology and structure, tree identification, cultural and ethnobotanical uses, and where to find featured species.

Trees of Victoria I: Conifers

While Vancouver Island has only 34 native species of trees, in the city we can encounter over 500 species. Trees in horticultural plantings could be from anywhere in the world. In this series, you will learn the basics of tree identification and where to find featured species in Victoria and the surrounding area.

Traditional Systems of Land and Resource Management

This course examines the systems of land and resource management traditionally practiced by Indigenous Peoples and the effects of these systems within the environment.

Urban Restoration and Sustainable Agricultural Systems

Urban areas and agricultural lands are highly modified landscapes. In this course, we examine how an ecological perspective can be applied to restoring urban areas and approaches to agriculture that promote sustainability and support biodiversity. The course covers two related topics: urban restoration and urban agriculture including sustainable agricultural systems.

UVic's Restoration of Natural Systems Program: What can it do for you?

Are you looking to develop the skills and knowledge to work in ecological restoration? Join us for one of our free 30-minute Zoom information sessions where we will introduce you to the Restoration of Natural Systems program options.

Sea of Watercolours

Designed for beginners, this course will teach you the steps and techniques to paint your own botanical illustration. If you want to explore your inner artist then this course is for you!

Drought Tolerant Plants

Learn how you can choose flowering perennials while still enjoying fruit and vegetable production through the use of native plants and xeric landscaping techniques that will produce throughout the growing season despite the hot, dry summers that we are experiencing.

Introduction to Permaculture

Discover sustainable techniques of plant curation, composting, water conservation, and various other invaluable permaculture practices, including a guided tour of the UVic community garden to see some techniques in action.

Coping with Climate Grief and Anxiety

Polls consistently reveal that Canadians are worried about climate change. Many say it negatively affects their mental health. How do we cope?

Illustration of two hands coming together to hold a planter that is growing the planet earth.

Community Engaged Scholarship for Today’s World

The University of Victoria has just launched a new Strategic Plan focused on creating innovative approaches towards harmony in People, Place and Planet. It proposes “Partnering for a shared future’ as the way forward. It centres respect for diverse communities, cultures and ways of knowing.