Career and Technology Studies Grades 10-12

Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute tracks changes in Alberta's wildlife and their habitats from border to border, and provides ongoing, relevant, scientifically credible information on Alberta's living resources.

A site from the UK that discusses how the presence of bats is an indication of healthy biodiversity

This guide’s objectives are to: help you to learn more about the benefits that biological diversity provides to your farm or ranch;
and help you identify what you’re already doing and what else you can do to conserve biodiversity.

This Canadian Encyclopedia article explores Canada's biodiversity, including its benefits, threats, and initiatives to preserve this biodiversity. There are several images included in this article.

Life has existed on Earth for over 3.5 billion years. Over 95% of the species that ever existed have gone extinct. So why should we be concerned about current extinction rates and conserving biodiversity? Find out here!

This site provides an excellent definition of biodiversity and links to a data bank of fact sheets and information about Canada's birds and mammals.

Rachel Carson investigated into the misuse of chemicals and their toll on nature. In 1962, she published her findings in “Silent Spring,” which immediately drew both applause and impassioned dissent.

At least a quarter of the world’s land area is traditionally owned, managed, used or occupied by indigenous peoples. But while their knowledge is increasingly being recognized, it is rarely taken into account by researchers and policymakers.

This is Chapter 6 in a textbook, Biodiversity: Science and Solutions for Australia. Aboriginal people shaped the pre-colonial environments of Australia for 50 000 years. It is foolish to ignore Indigenous knowledge in helping shape future biodiversity management and research.

This video from the UN explains why it important to protect Earth's biodiversity. The video also provides some examples of how communities can make a difference.

Scroll down to access the report's summaries, a video and wildlife photography. The report measures Canada’s ecological performance, particularly the health of wildlife and endangered species.

Information from the Government of Canada about conservation, research, regulations, monitoring and permits relating to migratory birds.

A guide from the Alberta government about species in danger of extinction in Alberta.

Our planet’s diverse, thriving ecosystems may seem like permanent fixtures, but they’re actually vulnerable to collapse. Jungles can become deserts, and reefs can become lifeless rocks. What makes one ecosystem strong and another weak in the face of change?

There are three levels of biodiversity: genetic, species, and ecosystem. Try out this interactive to learn more about each of these levels.

This site from the Convention for Biological Diversity is an indepth look at the importance of biodiversity, what is being lost as biodiversity loses ground against human activities and what action can be taken to preserve the biodiversity of Earth's many different ecosystems.

In this video, a scientist explains true diversity in nature and why biodiversity is so important in the natural world.

This site is virtual experience; it uses science-based artwork to show the diminishing biodiversity on Earth. The map shows endangered or extinct species. You will find embedded videos as well.

An article that describes how Indigenous peoples around the world have fostered biological diversity through their traditional knowledge and practices.

The activities within the biodiversity toolkit provide students with an understanding of the importance of nature and how all living things are connected.

This vignette gives some of the reasons why Canada is a world leader in sustainable forest management.

Khowutzun Freegro TreeShelters is run by members of the Cowichan Tribes, a First Nation band in British Columbia. They create tree protectors that help tree seedlings with early establishment and growth.

A national Indigenous organization that promotes and supports increased Aboriginal involvement in forest management and related commercial opportunities, while staying committed to holistic or multiple-use forestry, to build sustainable Aboriginal communities.

Learn more about Canada’s commitment to sustainable forest management from this Government of Canada website.

The Government of Alberta has a page for those wanting to know more about wildfires and monitor the wildfire situation in Alberta. There are a number of resources here (including videos) about wildfire prevention, management and status.

This interactive map provides information related to forest fire hotspots in Canada, as well as areas of low to high risk for forest fires.

Before removal from their traditional lands, Indigenous Peoples used controlled burns to manage forests and rangeland.

For millenia, fire was integral to many Indigenous peoples’ way of life. Fire was a tool that promoted ecological diversity and reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Prescribed fire is a colonial adaptation of cultural burning practiced by many different Indigenous groups in Canada. While some of the objectives may be the same, there are many differences between the two.

Prior to the European colonization of the Americas, indigenous peoples used fire to modify the landscape. What was initially perceived by colonists as "untouched, pristine" wilderness in North America was the cumulative result of the Indigenous use of fire, creating an mosaic of grasslands and forests across North America, sustained and managed by the peoples indigenous to the landscape.

This video explains some of the benefits of wildfire. Due to the way they grow, some trees (like lodgepole pines) need fire to survive. Learn about how wildfires contribute to the ecosystem.

From this page, you can access statistics and key facts about Canada's forestry industry, as related to economy, inventory, management, production and trade.

FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, paper, and wood-based bioproducts producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs.

Information about forestry industry employment in British Columbia.

This vignette gives some of the reasons why Canada is a world leader in sustainable forest management.

More than 650 Canadian communities rely on forestry. This map displays the communities that are the most reliant on forestry. Select a province from the box below the map to get additional information.

Dr. Doug Pitt, a vegetation management and biometrics scientist, discusses the scientific basis for the harvesting systems used in Canada's boreal forest.

This interactive map allows you to zoom in on regions that vary in terms of their productivity in the forestry industry. Once you zoom in on the area of interest, you can access information about that area.

Statistics about the forestry industry that complied by Statistics Canada in 2021.

A Statistics Canada report that highlights the impact of the many challenges faced over time by the sawmill industry on its development and its role as an economic lever for many Canadian communities.

A permaculture food forest is a strategy for growing food that focuses on creating a backbone of edible perennials for lasting and low-maintenance harvests. Find out how to create a low-maintenance, permaculture garden with edible rewards!

In 1975, Geoff Lawton came across a 2,000 year old food forest in Morrocco. Incredibly, 800 people continue to farm this desert oasis.

A report from the David Suzuki Foundation about the importance of traditional knowledge to boreal forest management.

The Junior Forest Rangers (JFR) program is a summer employment opportunity for high school and post-secondary students or graduates. JFR showcases potential career options in forestry, wildfire, ecology, and more by completing hands-on and educational work projects.

This site is an interactive Story Map that details the importance of the boreal region for birds.

This 90 minute documentary examines how the plants and animals that live in the boreal forest communicate and survive the destructive forces of fire, insects, and human encroachment.

Dr. Gordon Miller, Director General with the Canadian Forest Service, discusses the social, economic and ecological importance of Canada's boreal forest to Canadians and the long history of research in this important region.

This activity asks students to go outside and measure some trees in their community. Students use measurements to come up with a rough estimate of the carbon that is stored within these trees. They will also explore how the amount of carbon stored in trees relates to the amount of carbon emitted by day-to-day activities and the co-benefits of urban forests.

Five short real-life case studies with questions about Alberta’s forests: climate change, forest changes, forest careers, forest management and forest economics. Designed for grades 6-12.

By studying the DNA of trees, pests and other organisms, forest genomics can enable the growth of healthy, productive and sustainable forests.

These maps will let you explore Alberta geospatial, geomatic and geographic data. This data is brought together in one searchable catalog and can be viewed with an easy to use online mapping tool.

Check out this interactive map using data from Global Forest Watch reports about how the forest is changing around the world. You can be more specific and zoom in on Canada or Alberta.

Explore this page about Canada's boreal forests. There are two short videos and teaching resources, as well as maps and descriptions of the many different life forms that inhabit those forests. What are the threats to this ecosystem and what kinds of actions are being taken?

This video series is designed to initiate discussion with your Grades 6 - 12 students on Alberta’s forest-related issues. This resource examines forest ecology, the human values of the forest, land-use planning and the people and products of the forestry industry.

An online manual from the US Department of Agriculture that provides descriptions of two hundred species of trees.

Did you know that deforestation causes more greenhouse gas emissions than all trains, planes and automobiles combined?

A 2023 article about the progress of the MacKinnon Food Forest project in Edmonton that began in 2014.

As Canada moves into the 21st century, the 80%+ of Canadians who live in urban communities are increasingly concerned about the viability of their forests. This online book provides information for maintaining urban forests. Scroll down to fine a links to each chapter.

Information about Alberta's tree species, wildfire impact and other forestry facts from the Alberta government.

The Canada's Forests Teaching Kit Series booklets were published to educate youth about the value of forests and the importance of protecting and conserving them. Scroll below to access all 9 volumes

Education resources including study guides, lesson plans, fact sheets, and class activities from Forests Ontario. Students can learn to take a forest inventory.

The Tools of the Trade Forest Education Kit contains 20 forest tools and a 1-page quick reference sheet explaining what it is, who uses it, why the tool is important in the forest industry and an activity to put the tool to use. Suitable for any unit that explores forestry, careers and technology, this resource kit was developed to support teachers in bringing forest careers to life in the classroom.

Exploration is a primary drive of humanity but it only works if you know where you are at any given time. Not so easy when you are out at sea with no visible landmarks and the stars above you are in constant motion. It turns out that the key to solving this puzzle is understanding that in order to know WHERE you are, you have to first know WHEN you are.

Learning how to use a map and compass to travel in unknown terrain can be fun and rewarding. It could even save your life if you become lost while out hunting, fishing or just exploring.

A series of videos that teach the basics of map and compass use, triangulation, and strategies for getting unlost!

Have you ever gotten lost? Don't panic, have some bannock! Wilfred Buck, a Knowledge Keeper and science facilitator, tells a story of how he got lost in the bush and shares how he used orienteering to get out safely using his knowledge of sky science

Watching this video will teach you to use a map and taking directional bearings with a compass.

Orienteering is an exciting and challenging adventure sport. It's easy for anyone to start and fun to do. You learn to navigate, develop confidence and discover new places. Orienteering is a sport that exercises both your mind and body.

Useful information about the plants that are native to Canada

The scientific study of the traditional knowledge and customs of Indigenous peoples concerning plants and their medical, religious, and other uses.

PlantingScience is a free online resource to teachers and schools. The program provides volunteer scientists, resources, and activities to support innovation in teaching, learning, and mentoring.

A site that publishes reports about the health of the world's plants and fungi.

Learn how trees are able to communicate with each other through a vast root system and symbiotic fungi, called mycorrhizae.

The PLANTS Database provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the U.S. and its territories.

Full-page descriptions and colour photos of a variety of common species are included in this field guide for Grades 6-12.

Dig into common mistakes that tree-planting programs make, and explore strategies that can successfully re-green the planet.

Clearing forests for agriculture and development can have severe consequences for our environment. "Learn the value of large-scale forest landscapes and their role in the carbon cycle. Discover how reforestation can impact climate change by decreasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere."

How can trees help in the fight against climate change? Dig into the efforts to rebuild damaged ecosystems and reduce carbon emissions.

This brochure has useful information about bears in the parks and how to be safe when encountering a bear.

This brochure provides lots of useful information about cougars and what to do if you encounter a cougar in the wild.

Information for staying safe while visiting the backcountry in Alberta

No activity requires a safe mind-set more than being in or on the water. This workbook looks at some of the equipment, the rules, and the regulations that keep us safe while on the water.

Fire safety practices to follow when you are camping or staying in Alberta parks.

Sound advice for preparing for any hike.

This book will go over some of the basic fundamentals of knot tying, common types of knots, how to tie them and when and where they may be useful.

Advice about being safe while hiking or camping during electrical storms from the government of Canada

Tips from Parks Canada about what to do when you encounter a bear

Forestry operations such as logging can generate significant amounts of nonpoint source pollution. After reading this article, you can follow links on the right side of the screen to related articles.

A report from the Government of Canada about the pollution generated from the pulp and paper industry in Canada.

When forests are disturbed on a small scale (less than 10 square kilometres), the effects on water are relatively well known. What is not as well known is how many small disturbances cumulatively might affect water quality and quantity in large river systems. It is also not clear what the consequences might be for aquatic biodiversity and productivity.