2 minute read
Wetlands 101
by Tara Holmwood
How much do you know about the slough in your canola field? Or the bog at your favourite conservation site? Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd. has developed Wetlands 101, a free online course for anyone curious about this multifaceted natural resource we take for granted.
Jay White, principal and senior biologist at Aquality, originally developed the course as an overview of wetland classifications and policies in Alberta for his clients—to educate them about the importance of this ecosystem. “I send clients [to the course] almost daily,” said White. “I needed it as a tool to inform them. It’s what I’ve been teaching for the past ten years.”
White assembled the information, which was not easily available, going through several avenues and from various organizations with differing angles, and created an accessible course with a focused learning user experience. It is a series of 11 five-minute video modules, each ending with a summary and quiz. The student receives a completion certificate with a passing grade of 80 percent.
Passionate about educating anyone interested in learning about wetlands, White was determined to offer the timeless course for free—and the public has shown its gratitude! Since its launch in 2020, Wetlands 101 has had tremendous uptake with over 1,000 Albertans completing the course.With supportive funding from the ACA Conservation, Community, and Education Grant (CCEG), White used the funds to create an original and smooth experience for Aquality’s clients. “I am super grateful for the money and hope I used it well,” said White. He invested the funds into six months of developing all original material for the course—script, imagery, voiceover, and even the musical score.
White is not finished yet. He plans to develop even more courses—Watershed 101 and Lakes 101, to name a few.
North Fawcett Conservation Site
photo: Alberta Conservation Association
Interested in taking the course? Enrol for FREE at www. albertawetlands.ca
For more information on Aquality Environmental, please visit www.aquality.ca
Wetlands – Nature’s Solution
If the Earth was a human, wetlands would be its kidneys. Their primary function is to store and filter large amounts of carbon and pollution. This remarkable ecosystem also protects us from the impacts of natural disasters such as floods and droughts; provides water for irrigation and fisheries; and helps maintain biodiversity.
