Five programs in Sault College's School of Natural Environment have received national accreditation.
Accreditation was awarded by the Environmental Careers Organization of Canada (ECO Canada) following an 18-month process.
The newly accredited programs include natural environment technician – conservation and management, forestry technician – conservation, adventure recreation and parks technician, fish and wildlife conservation technician, and natural resource/environmental law – inspection and enforcement.
Each of the programs will be accredited for seven years.
“The Canadian Environmental Accreditation Commission and the site reviewers were very impressed with the quality of the accredited Sault College programs and the dedication of the faculty and staff,” said Saskia Schälicke, associate registrar of postsecondary programs accreditation at ECO Canada, in a news release.
Accreditation means that the programs meet or exceed national standards for learning. The process looks at various aspects of the student experience, from program policies and practices to student support and facilities.
“We are very proud of this accreditation as it highlights our commitment to quality programming and the holistic education of our students," said Sherri Smith, the school's vice-president of academics, innovation and student services, in the release.
"For our current and future students, this accreditation highlights that Sault College provides an education that meets rigorous national standards preparing them to make significant contributions to these fields.”
The college said additional programs — environmental sustainability analysis, climate change mitigation and urban ecosystem technician hold qualified candidate status with ECO Canada and are now completing the accreditation process.
