Environmental Studies field schools

Travel to Angers France to explore the intricacies of terroir-driven food systems. Visit farms, businesses, and experts in regional and sustainable food production. This course is offered in collaboration with École Supériure d’Agricultures in Angers, France.

Note: this field school is comprised of 2 courses (for 3.0 credits in total).

Instructor: Dr. John Volpe
Location: Angers, France
Additional course fees: approx. 2400 Euros, not including return airfare to France 
Prerequisites: 2nd year standing and permission of the department
Approximate dates: May 27–June 25
Application Deadline: February 1st
Application instructions: Please email the instructor, John Volpe, one PDF file named Last Name-Course Number-Application (e.g. Smith-ES 371-Application.pdf). The PDF file should contain:

1. a one-page cover letter outlining your interest in the course, your preparation for it, and how it supports your academic and professional plans
2. your CV, and
3. your unofficial transcripts

For more information please see ES 371 in the UVic calendar.

Explore the role of traditional ecological knowledge in the understanding and documentation of the biodiversity of natural systems and their restoration. Examine how restoration strategies can benefit from the close relationship of Indigenous Peoples to their local environments, and from their knowledge of plants and animals, their habitats and ecological interrelationships, as well as from traditional land and resource management strategies.

Instructors: Loreisa Lepine
Location: In & around Victoria
Additional course fees: $125 
Prerequisites: ES 200 and 3rd year standing
Approximate dates: May 18–May 22
Application instructions: No application - register during summer term.

For more information please see ES 423 in the UVic calendar.

Explore regenerative and restorative designs for ecological and social resilience on Galiano Island at the Galiano Learning Centre in partnership with the Galiano Conservancy Association. The course includes a field stay on Galiano Island, with some advanced preparation and follow-up work. Course is limited to 16 students. 

Instructor: Dr. Eric Higgs
Location: Victoria and Galiano Island
Additional course fees: $950
Prerequisites: ES 341 or ER 311
Approximate dates: July 3–July 12
Application Deadline: February 1st
Application instructions: Please email the instructor, Eric Higgs, one PDF file named Last Name-Course Number-Application (e.g. Smith-ES 471-Application.pdf). The PDF file should contain:

1. a one-page cover letter outlining your interest in the course, your preparation for it, and how it supports your academic and professional plans
2. your CV, and
3. your unofficial transcripts

For more information please see ES 471 in the UVic calendar.

Explore the advanced practical study of permaculture principles in an intensive field-based setting at Linnaea Farm School on Cortes Island, BC. Focus will be on implementing concepts and practicing skills introduced in ES 433, while also learning from local permaculture perspectives and initiatives. 8 days course time, with two travel days. Students who successfully complete both ES 433 and ES 473 will receive a Permaculture Design Certification.

Instructor: Hannah Roessler
Location: Cortes Island
Additional course fees: approx $1600
Prerequisites: ES 433
Approximate dates: May 7–May 16
Application Deadline: February 1st
Application instructions: Please email the instructor, Hannah Roessler, one PDF file named Last Name-Course Number-Application (e.g. Smith-ES 473-Application.pdf). The PDF file should contain:

1. a one-page cover letter outlining your interest in the course, your preparation for it, and how it supports your academic and professional plans
2. your CV, and
3. your unofficial transcripts

For more information please see ES 473 in the UVic calendar.

Travel up Vancouver Island to explore the conservation situation of salmon and ways to address their decline. Meet with local practitioners to understand the changing environmental, ecological, political, and historical aspects of salmon, and how various interests in this space interact and conflict. Field activities may include visits to wild salmon rivers, conversations with harvesters and First Nations partners, and opportunities to observe fisheries management, hatchery or aquaculture operations.

Instructor: Dr. Ben Neal
Location: Vancouver Island
Additional course fees: approx $1800
Prerequisites: ES 341
Approximate dates: TBD (likely August)
Application Deadline: February 1st
Application instructions: Please email the instructor, Ben Neal, one PDF file named Last Name-Course Number-Application (e.g. Smith-ES 482-Application.pdf). The PDF file should contain:

1. a one-page cover letter outlining your interest in the course, your preparation for it, and how it supports your academic and professional plans
2. your CV, and
3. your unofficial transcripts

For more information please see ES 482 in the UVic calendar.

For most field courses, you submit an application (before the deadline) to the course instructor. Once accepted, you must formally confirm your participation by payment of an additional course fee deposit.

Some courses do not require an application (students can simply register themselves).

This non-refundable fee is in addition to regular course tuition, and covers the cost of field-related expenses for your course. It may include food, transportation, accommodation, etc.

A deposit (50% of the total fee) is due in early March, and the remainder of the fee is due by a course-specific deadline; alternatively, you may pay the full fee before March 1st. Please note that failure to pay the deposit or fee by its due date may result in your removal from the course, as we invite students from the waitlist to enroll.

Please deliver payment to the Environmental Studies main office in David Turpin Building B243.

We accept cheques, bank drafts or money orders (Canadian funds only), payable to the University of Victoria. Place your payment in an envelope labelled “Attention: Undergraduate Programs Assistant” and include the course name, your name and your V#. 

Please use a separate cheque for each course in which you are registered.

If the main office is closed, the ES office Dropbox is located to the right of the main office door: in the top left-hand corner of the cabinet, it is boldly marked in yellow: “ES Dropbox”. It is accessible during normal building hours. 

We are sorry, but cash is not accepted and we are not able to accept electronic payments. If you are unable to access cheques or order them through your bank, it is suggested that you e-transfer a family member or trusted friend who can then write and deliver a cheque to us, on your behalf. 

After we receive your payment, we will email you a receipt.

If you cannot travel to campus and need to pay by mail, please note that the payment must arrive by the due date to the below address. It is helpful to notify esoffice@uvic.ca in advance, if you plan to mail in a payment.

Environmental Studies
Attention: Undergraduate Programs Assistant
University of Victoria
PO Box 1700, STN CSC
Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2

Once we receive your deposit, the Undergraduate Programs Assistant will officially register you in the course!

If you anticipate a request for accommodation due to disability, dietary restrictions, or other needs, please email your instructor (and cc esoffice@uvic.ca) as early as possible. While you are not required to share a diagnosis, please indicate the functional impacts or barriers you foresee, along with any suggested accommodations. If you are registered with CAL, you can also ask your advisor to share your plan with us. Instructors will keep your information confidential, sharing only what is necessary to implement solutions.

All offerings have a written safety plan (roles, communication chain, rendezvous points, emergency procedures).

Please note that, due to advance booking requirements for transport and accommodation, the School is not normally able to offer a refund of the additional course fee to students who drop out.

To drop, you must remove yourself from the course via the online registration portal. Please take note of drop deadlines, as these will affect tuition refunds and academic outcomes.

Students who meet the eligibility requirements and successfully complete the field course will automatically be awarded the Lorene Kennedy Field Course Award. This award will offset the cost of your additional field course fee by 75%.

How do I apply?
Award application is not necessary on your part; if you qualify, your application is automatic.

Am I eligible?
Eligible students are either:

• enrolled full-time or part-time undergraduate students who are declared (BA/BSc) majors or minors in the School of Environmental Studies,
• graduate students in the School of Environmental Studies, or
• students in the Restoration of Natural Systems Diploma program.

How do I receive the award?
After you have completed the course, and we have received class grades (confirmation that you have passed the course), the School will confirm if you meet the award requirements. Those who qualify will be awarded 75% of your field course fee, applied as a credit to your Tuition Fee Account.

When is the award paid out?
You will receive the award during through the term following successful course completion. E.g. if you took a Summer field course and qualified, you would receive the award money between September and December.

What if I am leaving UVic?
If this is your last term of study, you will be able to request a cheque from Accounting Services once you see the credit posted to your tuition account; please contact the Tuition Office to request this action.

Your instructor will share resources during orientation, and you can request a confidential meeting at any time with UVic Counselling practitioners for one-on-one support, through SupportConnect and Student Wellness.