New bursaries available in coastal communities for carbon management

New bursaries are available for community members interested in a flexible UBC online Forest Carbon Management program.

While carbon is a part of our everyday lives and carbon projects are becoming increasingly commonplace in the natural resources sector, it remains a mystery to many. What is forest carbon? How is it stored, transformed, measured, monitored and sold in a growing market?

The online micro-certificate Forest Carbon Management (FCM) offered by UBC will teach students about carbon accounting, carbon data, carbon projects and the carbon market.

There is a surge of demand for working professionals who understand and know how to assess and monitor forest carbon, administer carbon projects and navigate the evolving landscapes of relevant markets. The FCM program aims to offer science-based, practical, hands-on training for professionals, including those currently working or those seeking to gain additional skills.

According to UBC Forestry’s course description, the program is applicable to a wide range of potential applicants who “are working in or will go on to work in natural resource management positions in government, non-government organizations, the private sector, and industry.” Applications are open to a broad range of natural resource professionals who want to learn “how to assess and monitor forest carbon, establish and administer carbon projects, and navigate the evolving landscape of relevant markets.”

The FCM program, comprising four courses, each taking two weeks of study time, includes about 60 hours of instruction. The courses may be completed in different sessions, over a two-year time period.

Dustin Edgars from Masset, Haida Gwaii, and Dave Gummeson of Bailey Environmental Consulting fix a test tube they’ll send to the depths of the ocean to sample sediment for blue carbon. Photo by Emilee Gilpin.

Four bursaries available

The FCM program will be offered in two sessions each year, one in the Fall (October – December) and one in the Winter/Spring (February/April). Students can register and complete all of the courses in one session, or spread out the courses over two years. A basic knowledge of ecology and natural resource-based management is encouraged as a program prerequisite.

The Great Bear Carbon Credit Limited Partnership and the Nanwakolas Offset Limited Partnership is offering four bursaries for the program to support member Nations of Coastal First Nations and the Nanwakolas Council Society. If successful, the bursary will cover the full cost of the FCM program for the student.

To apply for one of the bursaries, applicants must submit an application form, a personal statement (one page explaining motivation for seeking entrance to the program/how FCM program will contribute to future career) and one letter of reference from someone that will support your interest and motivations for this program. Deadline for bursary applications is Monday, September 12, 2022.

Learn more about the Forest Carbon Management Micro-Certificate (pdf)
Download the FCM Micro-Certificate Application Form (pdf)

If interested applicants have any questions, please reach out to David Oxley, CFN Business Corporations Manager, at doxley@coastalfirstnations.ca