Environmental Science

The Land. The Water. The Future of Both.

Environmental Science at YSA teaches students to understand the ecosystems that agriculture depends on — and equips them with the science and skills to farm in ways that sustain and restore them.

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Program Overview

Producing more food from finite natural resources — and reducing the footprint of doing so.

Modern agriculture faces one of its defining challenges: producing more food from finite natural resources while reducing its environmental footprint. The students who will solve this challenge need rigorous scientific training in ecology, soil science, hydrology, and conservation biology — applied to real land.

YSA’s 76-acre campus is a living laboratory for environmental science. Students monitor soil health, map riparian areas, collect water quality data, and design conservation practices — all on working agricultural land. The connection between environmental science and agricultural decision-making is immediate and real.

This program is ideal for students considering careers in environmental consulting, government conservation services, sustainable agriculture, land reclamation, or post-secondary programs in environmental science, ecology, or natural resources management.

What You’ll Learn

The full toolkit of an environmental scientist working on agricultural land.

Soil science: structure, biology, carbon cycling, and conservation

Water systems: watersheds, wetlands, riparian zones, and groundwater

Ecology: ecosystems, biodiversity, and food web dynamics

Conservation biology: habitat assessment, threatened species, and land restoration

Agricultural environmental impact: nutrient runoff, pesticide management, GHG emissions

Climate science basics: climate change mechanisms and agricultural adaptation

Environmental monitoring: field sampling, data collection, and lab analysis

Environmental regulations: Alberta Environmental Protection Act basics

Sustainable agriculture practices: cover cropping, no-till, buffer zones

GIS basics: mapping and spatial analysis for land management

Course Pathway

A three-year progression from foundation to mastery.

Year 1 · Grade 10

Foundation

Introduction to Agriculture I
Environmental Science I (Ecosystems & Soil)
Water Systems & Riparian Ecology
Ag Safety & Effective Communications I
Field Monitoring Practicum I

Year 2 · Grade 11

Specialization

Environmental Science II (Conservation & Biodiversity)
Agricultural Environmental Management
Climate Adaptation in Agriculture
SAE Project Development — Environmental Monitoring Project
GIS Mapping & Spatial Analysis Basics

Year 3 · Grade 12

Mastery

Advanced Environmental Science (Impact Assessment & Restoration)
Land Stewardship & Conservation Planning Capstone
Environmental Compliance & Regulatory Basics
SAE Project Completion & Presentation
Post-Secondary Transition: Environmental Science & Natural Resources Programs

Certifications & Credentials

Graduates leave with industry credentials that travel.

ASET pathway eligibility (Association of Science & Engineering Technology)

Alberta Farm Safety Certificate

Water Quality Monitoring certification (Alberta Environment)

Pesticide Applicator Certificate (Environment & Land Management category)

First Aid & Wilderness Safety Certificate

Career Pathways

Where this program leads.

Environmental Consultant

Assess environmental impacts for land development and agricultural operations.

Conservation Officer

Enforce Alberta’s environmental protection regulations in rural areas.

Land Reclamation Specialist

Restore disturbed lands for oil and gas, mining, or agricultural operations.

Agrologist (Environmental Focus)

Provide soil and environmental management advice to agricultural clients.

Wetland Scientist

Assess and restore wetland ecosystems, often for government or land trusts.

Environmental Monitoring Technician

Collect and analyze environmental data for government or consulting firms.

Sustainable Agriculture Advisor

Help farmers implement conservation practices and environmental programs.

Watershed Planner

Develop water resource management plans for municipal or agricultural contexts.

Industry Connections

Built with the conservation, government, and research partners working on Alberta’s land.

Environmental Science at YSA is shaped by environmental consultants, government conservation services, and post-secondary partners across Alberta — mentors who help design the curriculum and open doors to placements.

Become an Industry Partner

Cypress County Agricultural Service Board — conservation and environmental programs connection
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas — guest speaker and field program connections
Ducks Unlimited Canada — wetland conservation program connections
YSA Advisory Council environmental science representatives — curriculum guidance
University of Lethbridge and University of Alberta environmental science programs — post-secondary pathway

SAE Opportunities

Real projects. Real outcomes.

Every YSA student designs and runs a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project. Here are five starting points for Environmental Science students:

Design and implement a soil health monitoring system for a section of the YSA farm.

Conduct a riparian area assessment on YSA land and recommend restoration actions.

Build a weather monitoring station and track micro-climate data across the campus.

Map land cover types on the YSA farm using drone imagery and GIS software.

Design a conservation cropping trial comparing no-till vs. conventional tillage impact on soil biology.

Apply Now

Ready to build a career in Environmental Science?

Applications for Fall 2027 are open. Get in touch — or jump straight in.

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