The people who shape the landscape around us are environmental planners. If they follow the principles of sustainable development, they will develop land-use plans that meet human needs while preserving a balance with nature. Environmental planners:

• Consult with the public, government employees, industry and interest groups to formulate land-use or community plans that consider both urban and environmental needs.
• Prepare regional land-use plans for wildlife preserves, national parks and provincial parks.
• Recommend zoning regulations to protect sensitive areas like river valleys or coastal shorelines.
• Plan public facilities such as transportation systems, urban renewal projects and recreational areas.

Where you could work:

• Municipal and regional governments and conservation agencies
• Provincial and federal ministries and departments.
• Landscape consulting firms and contractors.
• Be a self-employed consultant

Planners need solid skills in project management and policy analysis, both of which are fostered within the BES program. They also need to possess an understanding of land formations and how human settlements affect the natural environment. Several courses in the BES program prepare future planners by focusing on report research and writing. In addition, the BES program offers an opportunity to develop specialization in environmental landscape design (ELD). The ELD certificate program will develop your evaluative and problem-solving skills in order to create, visualize and evaluate alternative ways of design that improve the quality of life for people and protect the environment.