Engage your Students with Experiential Learning
We offer high school students experiential learning through our Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs. Sign-up your students for courses offered at various CVC conservation areas and urban parks in the watershed.
Programs Offered
Plant Identification
Why do plants live where they live? Students will learn to recognize flora and what conditions they prefer to live in based on climate, soil conditions, habitat factors and more. They will also learn why some plants, like invasive species, aren’t always beneficial. Students will take action to reduce the impact of invasive species in nature or plant native plants to increase biodiversity and improve habitats in an urban greenspace or conservation area.
Wilderness Skills and Safety
Get ready for an adventure as you dive into hands-on outdoor survival skills, from building shelters to mastering health and safety tips for the wild! The program is all about learning the ropes of staying safe and thriving in different wilderness environments, preparing you for anything Mother Nature throws your way. Along the way, you’ll build leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills while tackling environmental challenges like invasive species control. These skills will serve you both in outdoor careers and everyday life!
Compass/Map/GPS
By the end of this course, students will learn how to use a compass and GPS to navigate confidently. Activities include the basics of map interpretation and navigation skills, an outdoor compass scavenger challenge and using a GPS to monitor stewardship projects. Students will take part in a stewardship project to understand how this technology is used by environmental professionals.
Animal Identification
CVC staff will lead an experiential learning activity and hands-on stewardship project at a local green space or conservation area to improve animal habitat.
Forestry 101
Can you see the forest for the trees? In this program, students will understand what it takes to manage individual trees and forest habitats. CVC staff will provide a tour of our nursery, learn how CVC manages forests and tap into technical and soft skills to assist with a habitat restoration project in an urban greenspace or conservation area.
CVC Certifications and Relevant SHSM Sector Links
| SHSM Sectors | Wilderness Skills and Safety | Plant Identification | Animal Identification | Forestry 101 | Compass/Map/GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | not included | not included | not included | ✔included | ✔included |
| Arts & Culture | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included |
| Aviation/Aerospace | not included | not included | not included | not included | ✔included |
| Business | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included |
| Construction | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included |
| Energy | not included | not included | not included | not included | ✔included |
| Environment | ✔included | ✔included | ✔included | ✔included | ✔included |
| Food Processing | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included |
| Forestry | ✔included | ✔included | ✔included | ✔included | ✔included |
| Health & Wellness | ✔included | not included | not included | not included | not included |
| Horticulture & Landscaping | not included | ✔included | ✔included | ✔included | ✔included |
| Hospitality & Tourism | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included |
| Justice, Community Service & Emergency Services | not included | not included | not included | ✔included | ✔included |
| Manufacturing | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included |
| Mining | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included |
| Non-profit | not included | not included | not included | ✔included | ✔included |
| Sports | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included |
| Transportation | not included | not included | not included | not included | ✔included |
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