Forest Technology (Co-Op) Diploma

Graduates of the Forest Technology program are well-prepared for careers in forestry, environmental consulting and land management. With the opportunity to develop practical skills and build lasting connections, this program is your gateway to a fulfilling career protecting Alberta’s natural resources and ensuring their sustainable use for generations to come.

Modern forestry is a high-tech, field-oriented career focused on forest management activities such as reclamation, fire management and protection, insects and disease, watersheds, ecosystems, reforestation, forest engineering, wildlife habitat, forest legislation, recreation, soils, harvest planning and operations, GIS and GPS.  

Areas we cover in the Forest Technology program to prepare you for real-world environmental management include: 

• use of current tools, equipment, techniques and technology for forest and land management 
• conducting wildfire and forest health operations 
• generating vegetation inventories 
• applying relevant policy and legislation 

Field training 

What better way to learn about forests than spending time outdoors?

The first five weeks of the first year are spent at NAIT’s Kidney Lake camp, located 50 kilometres northwest of Whitecourt. During camp, plenty of time will be spent in the field developing foundational skills in wildfire suppression, plant identification, forest ecology and forest measurements. 

The Kidney Lake camp has a number of modest cabins and permanent structures in which you'll stay and attend classes. You'll also have time to develop strong relationships with the people you’ll be working with during the program and throughout your career. 

Year two field training primarily occurs in the Cache-Percotte forest, located adjacent to Hinton. Here you'll continue your hands-on learning and further develop skills essential to becoming a successful forest professional. 

Field labs will emphasize real world activities associated with reforestation, operational planning, sustainable harvesting and reclamation using the latest technology. 

Other field labs in and around Edmonton are conducted throughout the two years of the program.