Natural Resources and Forest Technology

Diploma
TYPE:
  • Full Time
LENGTH: 2 year
CAMPUS: Prince George
FEES: Estimated at $12,637
START DATE: Fall 2025
DELIVERY:
  • In Class
Applications for Fall 2024 are now closed
  • Overview
  • Courses
  • Location & Dates
  • Entry Requirements
  • Fees

Overview

PornÑо¿Ëùputs you in Technology – Naturally 

Enjoy a mix of classroom and in-field learning with skilled instructors and personalized instruction. The Natural Resource Forest Technology Program prepares you for an exciting and fulfilling career in the natural resources sector.  

The NRFT Program is well suited for students who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle and excel in technology and science.

Why NRFT? 

  • Challenge current environmental issues 

  • Spend your days outdoors 

  • Make a difference in how human activities impact natural resources 

  • Expand technological applications in land use and land stewardship 

What you will learn

In the NRFT program, you'll gain valuable theoretical knowledge of forest technology while focusing on First Nations communities and contributions, outdoor recreation and tourism, and Earth science. You'll develop a fundamental understanding of ecology, plant biology, soils, math, English, digital mapping, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  

Combining classroom and laboratory work with field exercises and team projects provides our students with enhanced problem solving and critical thinking skills valued by employers. 

Research Forest 

Acquire real-life experience as you participate in economically and environmentally sustainable projects in the PornÑо¿Ëùresearch forest.  

View photos and learn more

Travel and International Opportunities

Extended field activities may take you outside of Prince George to further your practical knowledge. Previous students have conducted research around BC including in the Robson and Fraser Valleys.  

Immerse yourself in new cultures and geography while comparing global land management approaches with that of BC with CNC’s International Field School. Previous destinations have included China, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. 

Study Abroad

 

Careers

Combining the practical and technical aspects of the program with leadership skills, teamwork, creativity and innovation – NRFT graduates can be found in: 
  • Forestry and Forest Management
  • BC Wildfire Services
  • Environmental management for mine operations
  • Parks, Recreation and Tourism
  • Land Management and Conservation
  • Policy and Planning
  • Road Building
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Mapping

Other Related Links

Natural Resources and Forest Technology Courses

In this nationally accredited program students study a core of forest technology courses enhanced by studies of wildlife and fish habitats, bird identification, indigenous plants, First Nations issues, outdoor recreation/tourism, and Earth sciences. The core of traditional, forestbased courses includes technical skills such as measurements, forest protection/health, forest operations and silviculture. All of these studies build on a fundamental understanding of ecology, plant biology, soils, math, English, digital mapping, and GIS. As well, you will learn writing and presentation skills, including conducting research, completing data analysis, writing and presenting scientific reports. Students may also take the opportunity to travel for a three-week field school (past destinations have included China, Costa Rica and Ecuador) where students compare approaches to land management with that of BC.

NRFT Courses

    
COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE CREDITS LENGTH
MATH-195 Mathematics for Technologies 3 15 weeks
NRFT-101 Indigenous Plants 3 15 weeks
NRFT-103 Introduction to Forest Soils 3 15 weeks
NRFT-105 Ornithology and Mammology 3 15 weeks
NRFT-108 Map and Spatial Data 2 15 weeks
NRFT-109L Introduction to Computers 1 15 weeks
NRFT-111 Forest Measurements I 3 15 weeks
ENGL-103 Composition & Style 3 15 weeks
ABST-100 Yinka Dene Worldview 3 15 weeks
NRFT-121 Silvics and Dendrology 3 15 weeks
NRFT-123 Fire Management 3 15 weeks
NRFT-125 Introduction to Earth Science 3 15 weeks
NRFT-128 Geomatics and Cartography 2 15 weeks
NRFT-131 Forest Measurements II 3 15 weeks
NRFT-202 Forest Ecology 3 15 weeks
ENGL-229 Prof Bus and Tech Commun 3 15 weeks
ENGL-252 Tech Writing & Communications 3 15 weeks
NRFT-291 Nat Res Field School Cult Exch 3 3 weeks
NRFT-201 Nat Res Policy and Practice 3 15 weeks
NRFT-203L Supervisor Skills for Nat Res 2 15 weeks
NRFT-205 Habitat Management 3 15 weeks
NRFT-207 Silviculture I 3 15 weeks
NRFT-210 Natural Resources Seminar I 2 15 weeks
NRFT-211 Forest Measurements III 2 15 weeks
NRFT-213 Forest Engineering I 3 15 weeks
NRFT-221 Natural Resource Finance 3 15 weeks
NRFT-223 Forest Health 3 15 weeks
NRFT-225 Geographic Information Systems 2 15 weeks
NRFT-227 Silviculture II 3 15 weeks
NRFT-230 Natural Resources Seminar II 2 15 weeks
NRFT-233 Forest Engineering II 3 15 weeks
NRFT-251L Applied Research Project 1 15 weeks
NRFT-261 Extended Nat Res Field Studies 1 1 weeks

Locations & Dates

PornÑо¿Ëùprograms have varying lengths and start dates to meet your needs, and are offered across multiple campuses where possible. Don’t see the campus you’re looking for? Check back with us soon as this page is updated throughout the school year.  

START DATE CAMPUS DELIVERY LENGTH
Fall 2025 Prince George In Class 2 years

Entry Requirements

  1. Successful completion of Grade 12 or equivalent

  1. A minimum standing of “C” grade in the following courses: English Studies 12, or English First Peoples 12, or ENGL 050 or ENGL 051; or equivalent AND Pre-calculus 11 or MATH 045; or Foundations of Math 11 or MATH 043; or equivalent

  1. One of the courses listed below or equivalent: Chemistry 11; Life Sciences 11; Physics 11 

 

Need help meeting these requirements? Check out our Academic Upgrading options. 

Note 1: An NRFT diploma will allow you to be eligible to register with Forest Professionals BC and/or the College of Applied Biology. 

Note 2: Courses must be completed in no more than 10 years prior to the date of graduation in order to count toward the Natural Resources and Forest Technology Diploma. This policy applies to PornÑо¿Ëùcourses and to all courses transferred from other post-secondary institutions for credit at CNC. For the complete policy, see Ten Year Timeline for Program Completion Policy #E-1.37 available on the PornÑо¿ËùPolicy web page. 

Note 3: Students who have completed PreCalculus 12, MATH 050, MATH 100, or a higher-level math course with a minimum “C” grade may take MATH 195 or substitute it with any 3.0 credit UT course. 

Note 4: Students who have extensive wildfire training and experience may consider applying for credit for NRFT 123 through a College prior learning assessment process. 

Additional Information

1. Students must be prepared for and able to participate in strenuous physical activity in all types of terrain and weather. 

2. NRFT 291 “Study Abroad” is an optional course for NRFT students and qualifying UT students.  

Limited admission

A program with a limited number of seats per intake and is on a “first qualified, first admitted” basis. 

Acceptance process

If there’s room in the program, you’ll be accepted once you’ve met all admission requirements. This is called “first qualified, first accepted.” If you qualify after the program is full, you’ll be put on a waitlist. 

Transferability 

The two-year NRFT diploma is recognized by programs at universities such as Thompson Rivers University, UNBC, UBC and the University of Alberta, where students can continue their studies in forestry, fish and wildlife, and natural resource sciences. Graduates can even go on to complete a post-diploma in Geographic Information Systems either at Selkirk College, BCIT or other institutions. Specific transfer agreements vary by institution. Contact a PornÑо¿Ëùadvisor for further information. 

 

 

 

 

Invest in your future

The estimated cost for this program is $12,637. 

These costs are an estimate. Student fees vary by campus. Check the fee schedule for more details. 

Books for this program can be purchased from the . 

Paying for college

To ease the financial burden of attending CNC, more than $15,000 in direct scholarships are available to first and second year NRFT students. 

Visit Financial Aid  to learn about and apply for scholarships, bursaries, and awards.  

Student Awards & Financial Assistance

To ease the financial burden of attending CNC, more than $15,000 in direct scholarships is available to first and second-year NRFT students. However, students who get summer jobs in related NRFT fields in between their first and second year of study can earn between $10,000 - $15,000 in four months.

Salaries and employment

Looking for a job? Check the  

Students who obtain summer jobs in related NRFT fields in between their first and second year of study can earn between $10,000 - $15,000 in four months.