ES: Conservation and Reclamation
Conservation and Reclamation Major
Contact Us
Danielle White
Environmental Sciences Enrolment Specialist
780 853 8789
780 581 0805
Ask me your questions
Grab a shovel, boots and hard hat for Lakeland’s environmental conservation and reclamation major.
Hands-on field labs are where you’ll develop the applied skills industry wants. On field trips, you’ll see current industry practices and technologies. You’ll study and visit:
- forested, mined and cultivated lands
- reclaimed sites
- natural areas
Underlying the practical skills is the science. Through that combination, you’ll discover:
- the benefits of sustainable management
- how reclamation can minimize industry’s effect on natural habitats
You’ll learn how to
- classify, manage and conserve soils
- recognize and understand a variety of land disturbances. This includes removing soil and plants and other construction.
- do detailed site assessments
- apply reclamation regulations, guidelines and techniques
- plan site closure and reclamation
As a graduate, you’ll be a reclamation specialist.
Requirements
More program details
Remember that studying includes other expenses than tuition and fees - you should
also be budgeting for your accommodation and living expenses. Alberta student loan
guidelines recommends $1,153/month.
Our tuition and fees page has details about academic, application and mandatory fees and their cost breakdown per term.
You can also find a list of the required environmental science textbooks.
Your weekly class schedule can be found on your My Lakeland student portal when available. This is usually one month prior to the program start date.
Important dates found below include your tuition due date, your program registration/start date, events and holidays.
Dates are subject to change. We recommend you check here regularly for any updates.
Note: Dates are subject to change.
2025 Fall term/semester
| Date | Event |
| Aug 11 | Fees due, fall term |
| Sep 2 | Registration Day |
| Sep 3 | First day of classes |
| Sep 10 | Last day to add fall term courses |
| Sep 23 | Last day to drop fall term courses. Last day to withdraw with full refund of fees less tuition deposit. |
| Sep 30 | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, college closed |
| Oct 13 | Thanksgiving, college closed |
| Nov 3 | Last day to withdraw from fall term courses with W grade or change from credit to audit |
| Nov 10-11 | Fall break for students |
| Nov 11 | Remembrance Day, college closed |
| Dec 1 | Fees due, winter term |
| Dec 12 | Last day of classes |
| Dec 13 - Jan 5 | Christmas break for students |
2026 Winter term/semester
| Date | Event |
| Jan 6 | First day of classes |
| Jan 13 | Last day to add winter term courses |
| Jan 27 | Last day to drop winter term courses. Last day to withdraw with 100% refund of winter term fees. |
| Feb 16-20 | Reading week/spring break |
| Mar 13 | Last day to withdraw from winter term courses with W grade or change from credit to audit. |
| Apr 3-6 | Easter Break, college closed |
| Apr 24 | Last day classes |
| Jun 5 | Vermilion campus Convocation |
Note: Dates are subject to change.
2026 Fall term/semester
| Date | Event |
| Aug 12 | Fees due, fall term |
| Sep 1 | Registration Day |
| Sep 2 | First day of classes |
| Sep 7 | Labor Day, college closed |
| Sep 9 | Last day to add fall term courses |
| Sep 22 | Last day to drop fall term courses. Last day to withdraw with full refund of fees less tuition deposit. |
| Sep 30 | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, college closed |
| Oct 12 | Thanksgiving, college closed |
| Nov 2 | Last day to withdraw from fall term courses with W grade or change from credit to audit |
| Nov 9-13 | Fall break for students |
| Nov 11 | Remembrance Day, college closed |
| Dec 1 | Fees due, winter term |
| Dec 18 | Last day of classes |
| Dec 21 - Jan4 | Christmas break for students |
2027 Winter term/semester
| Date | Event |
| Jan 5 | First day of classes |
| Jan 12 | Last day to add winter term courses |
| Jan 25 | Last day to drop winter term courses. Last day to withdraw with 100% refund of winter term fees. |
| Feb 15 | Family Day, college closed |
| Feb 15-29 | Reading week/spring break |
| Mar 12 | Last day to withdraw from winter term courses with W grade or change from credit to audit. |
| Mar 26-29 | Easter Break, college closed |
| Apr 23 | Last day classes |
| Jun 4 | Vermilion campus Convocation |
Environmental Conservation and Reclamation (ECR) applied skills include the following:
- phase I and II site assessments
- revegetation techniques
- wellsite reclamation criteria
- risk assessment and site closure
- soil identification and classification
- techniques for soil management and placement
- reclamation and remediation strategies
- facility identification for oil and gas operations
Lakeland options
- Double major - spend another year taking one of the other environmental sciences majors.
- Applied degree - you have direct entry into Lakeland College’s Bachelor of Applied Science: Environmental Management program.
Further certification
Diploma graduates are eligible:
- to apply as an agrologist technologist in training (AIT) to earn Registered Technologist in Agrology designation through the Alberta Institute of Agrologists
- to apply as an Environmental Professional in Training (Ept) through ECO Canada. You can upgrade to an EP after you have completed 5 years of relevant experience
- for Level III of Alberta's Water and Wastewater Operator Certification
Diploma to Degree
After Lakeland, attend another institution to earn another credential. For transfers up to 60 credits, we call it 2 + 2. Take two years to earn your diploma here at Lakeland and then another two years at another institution to earn your degree.
Not all our agreements are a 2 + 2. Discuss the options with your academic advisor.
Lakeland has official transfer agreements with these institutions:
Options at the University of Alberta include BSc Environmental and Conservation Sciences
University of Lethbridge offers a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.
Options at the University of Saskatchewan include:
- BSc in Agriculture - Environmental Science or Soil Science specialization
- BSc in Renewable Resource Management - Resource Science
Athabasca University offers programs as part of their Centre for Science.
Lethbridge Polytechnic offers a Bachelor of Ecosystem Management.
NAIT offers a Bachelor of Technology in Management.
Bachelor of Science in Conservation Science and Practice
- Wildland Conservation and Recreation major
- Landscape Conservation and Management major
From the start of your classes at Lakeland, you'll be learning applied skills and spending time in the field.
When's the last time you took your learning outside?
