Ecological design field school
Dates: May 8 - 16, 2025
Ecological design is “the art and science by which we would remake the human presence on Earth” (David Orr), a partial antidote to the meta-crisis.
In this field course, students will learn and apply a breadth of skills and knowledge drawing from climate impacts, resilience theory, community mapping, terrestrial, aquatic, and landscape ecology, hydrology, design thinking, and sustainability science. We will learn from community partners and Indigenous Elders in respectfully and contextually designing in “right relationship” with the Earth.
Activities include: land-based learning of designing with ecologies, learning from micro- and mesocosms, understanding ways of knowing/experiencing/relating with natural, social, cultural, and spiritual capital, multi-scale local and externalized impacts from the backyard to the landscape.
Course description
Course is worth 1.5 credits.
Geography 491 A01 – Ecological Design for Climate Resilient Communities
Instructor: Kristian Dubrawski
Students will create an arts-based design of an ecological system that qualitatively illustrates stocks and flows of resources (e.g., water, energy), ecosystem services, and/or relationship dynamic. The course deliverable by the students will be an arts-based design of an ecological system that qualitatively illustrates stocks and flows of resources (e.g., water, energy), ecosystem services, and/or relationship dynamics.
Eligibility
There will be 20 positions available for this course. Accordingly, we list the following eligibility information:
- Students may have second-fourth year standing, no prerequisites needed. The field school consists of both classroom and outdoor field-based activities.
- At times this course may be physically demanding. Applicants must mention if they have any accessibility needs that may impact their ability to participate in these activities.
- Must be a UVic student. Non-geography students are invited to apply.
How to apply
Applications for the 2025 field school are now open!
2025 Application Form
Application Deadline : April 17th, 2025 (Extended)
Contact geography@uvic.ca or kdubrawski@uvic.ca if you have any questions.
Info Session
There will be an info session held on March 14th, 2025 at 1pm
The Zoom link can be found here :
Fees
Students pay regular UVic tuition plus field school fees. Field school fees can be paid by cheque, money order or cash only. Cheques and money orders should be made payable to the University of Victoria.
Payment can be dropped off at the geography main office (David Turpin B203) or mailed (cheques and money orders only; do not mail cash).
Field school fees
- $50 deposit due with application
- $100 due by XX
Field school fees include:
- Transportation outside of Victoria
- Workshop fees
- Knowledge holder fees
Field school fees do not include:
- Tuition
- Transportation within Victoria
- Lunches
The field school fees have been subsidized by the Faculty of Social Sciences. There may be additional funding through scholarships and financial aid or the International Centre for Students.