Conservation Enforcement / Conservation-enforcement / Full-Time Programs / Academics /
Home

 Prepare to work in natural resource agencies as a conservation enforcement officer and in other related fields of enforcement and security throughout Canada.

In this program, you will take courses in topics such as conservation investigations, defensive driving and traffic control, national use of force framework, scenario/reality-based training, and professional patrol tactics. After completing on-the-job training, you will be prepared to work in natural resource agencies as a conservation enforcement officer and in other related fields of enforcement and security throughout Canada.

You will live in our Slemon Park residence for the duration of your program, except when you are away for on-the-job training.

  • August 2026

    Atlantic Police Academy

    Program Length

    18 Weeks

    Credential

    Certificate, Conservation Enforcement Officer

    Canadian Tuition

    View full breakdown

    Canadian Applicants

    Waiting list

    International Applicants with a Valid Study Permit

    Not Accepting Applications

    Other International Applicants

    Not Accepting Applications

  • Admissions Requirements

    • Proof of Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent resident status

    • Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level

    • Minimum one year of post-secondary education*

    • 19 years of age by program start date

    • Successful completion of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. The applicant is responsible for this cost. This test will be arranged by Holland College Admissions for those in the Maritime Provinces.The purpose of psychological testing is to assure the applicant's suitability to participate as a cadet at Holland College's Atlantic Police Academy. Although the process may be similar to screening for employment, that is not an objective nor the purpose of this testing.  Employers are encouraged to undertake further testing and background checks to ensure candidates' suitability for employment. Note: It is the responsibility of applicants who reside outside of the Maritime provinces to arrange for MMPI testing in their region. Testing for applicants who reside within the Maritime provinces takes place in P.E.I., and applicants are expected to be present for the date of their testing

    • Completion of an APA Medical Assessment Form (this is a PDF and opens in a new window)


    Applicants are required to submit:

    • a Criminal Record Check with no findings of guilt. The college recommends ISN/Forrest Green. You can select the link: ISN/Forrest Green and complete the application.
      Find out more about Criminal Record Checks.

    • Successful completion of a full background check. Please download and complete the Consent to Criminal Record and Background Check form. This form is a PDF and will open in a new window.

    • Valid Class 5 (cars and light trucks) driver’s license (students holding restricted or graduated licenses must abide by the conditions of the license)

    • Three letters of reference, not from family members

    • Completion of Immunization Verification Form (this is a PDF and will open in a new window) (required after acceptance)

    • Certification in swimming – “Swim to Survive” or equivalent

    • Standard First Aid,  CPR Level C  and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) must be valid for the duration of the program. View a list of providers here. This training must be taken in person, NOT online.

    • Pleasure Craft Operator Card

    • All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) safety training course from a certified trainer

    • Résumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program

    *Preference is given to candidates who are qualified Forestry, Wildlife, Fishery, or Environmental Technicians or graduates of a renewable resource program. Completion of a two-year diploma in one of these areas is a requirement for employment in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. If you do not have a two-year diploma in one of these areas, your employment options may be limited.

     

    Notes:
    • Not all provinces accept cadets for on-the-job training. If you want to request for a specific area outside of Atlantic Canada, it will be your responsibility to make the necessary arrangements for placement and you must notify the Admissions office of your intention prior to being confirmed in the program.
    • This program will involve intense physical training elements. Applicants must be physically fit to be successful. Accepted students will be required to meet a physical standard (Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation Test (PARE) to graduate.

     

    Don’t have the courses you need to get into this program? Visit our Academic Upgrading section to learn how to upgrade high school credits or get your high school equivalency credential (CAEC).

  • Degree Pathways

    This program has degree pathways, giving you the opportunity to receive credit for your Holland College diploma when you continue your education. For a complete list of agreements, visit the Degree Pathways page.

    Partner Institution Credential Details of Agreement
    Columbia Southern University Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Graduates receive 24 credits toward a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration degree.

  • Program courses

    Course Code

    Course Name & Description

    Credit Values

    SAFE-1005

    PEI Occupational Health and Safety

    An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act...

    0

    CONENF-1005

    Conservation Officer Firearms~Proficiency and Tactical Training

    This course consists of specialized firearms~safety, marksmanship and tactics. At the end of~this course students will be skilled in firearms~safety and will be prepared to use a variety of~firearms (9mm handgun and 12 GA. shotgun) in~various situations.

    4.00

    CONENF-1010

    Legislation and Regulation

    This course will examine various pieces of Federal~and Provincial Legislation and Regulation. This~examination will enable students to navigate~through Legislation and Regulation that relate to~the execution of their duties as a Conservation~Officer. Students will understand how to apply~the powers given to them under these Acts and will~become familiar with specific case law that~impacts Conservation Enforcement.

    2.00

    CONENF-1015

    Law: Criminal Code

    This course is an introduction to the Criminal~Code and prepares Conservation Officers to~effectively use the parts of the Criminal Code~that apply to their work. Students discuss and~explore legal topics that relate directly to their~work as Conservation Officers. The topics to be~covered include legal terminology, Powers of~Arrest, search and seizure, the Charter,~disclosure, case citation, warrants and~statements. Case law regarding these issues are~discussed. Through a mock course exercise,~students experience acting as a crown witness and~compelling a subject to appear in court.

    2.00

    CONENF-1020

    Conservation Investigations

    This course will prepare students to conduct~conservation enforcement investigations. Through~a variety of delivery methods students will learn~and practice sound investigative procedures.~Students will focus on effective note taking~practices, investigative report writing,~information/evidence gathering, and practical~skills applications.

    2.00

    CONENF-1030

    Conservation Enforcement Compliance~Patrol

    This course examines the different types of~conservation enforcement compliance patrols and~the factors that must be considered when choosing~the appropriate patrol type. Students learn to~utilize information to plan an efficient and~effective compliance patrol. This course also~enables the student to effectively use the mobile~communication system.

    2.00

    CONENF-1035

    Social Psychology

    In this course, students examine communication,~including types, barriers, as well as skills and~strategies for effective communication and~de-escalation. Students gain an awareness of~mental disorders and cultural diversity, and their~potential impact on human relations.

    2.00

    CONENF-1040

    Conservation Officer Physical Abilities~Development

    This course is designed to prepare students for~the rigors of the Conservation Officer profession~and the various physical tests that conservation~departments require of their officers and~applicants. This course encourages and challenges~students to improve their fitness level through~fitness programming and nutrition.

    1.00

    CONENF-1046

    Defensive Driving and Traffic Control

    This course provides the student with enhanced~driving skills to assist them in their work and~everyday driving. Students complete the driving~course which covers defensive driving skills,~controlled responses, skid control techniques, and~emergency stopping techniques. Additionally,~students learn to secure and maneuver trailers~safely and efficiently. Students are also shown~the prescribed method for directing traffic~(vehicle and pedestrian), and performing vehicle~stops. Students practice these skills on the~driving track to industry standards.

    2.00

    CONENF-1053

    Professional Patrol and Control Tactics

    This course introduces students to the~professional tactics and intervention measures~used to control situations encountered by~conservation officers, with an emphasis on officer~and public safety. Conservation officers are~expected to both verbally and physically intervene~and control the outcome of a variety of~situations. In this course, students demonstrate~proficiency in the application of their~intervention, defusing, and situation control~skills by implementing various aspects of a~current use of force model. Students practice~using the appropriate verbal requests, directions,~commands, techniques, equipment, and weapons~during the various interventions.

    6.00

    CONENF-1055

    Judgmental Scenario Training

    This course is designed to increase officer~safety as well as the ability of an officer to~respond appropriately to specific threats,~including lethal force. This course helps to~develop decision-making skills along with the~ability to effectively respond to threats,~including those that are likely to cause bodily~harm or death to those involved.

    1.00

    CONENF-1060

    Conservation Enforcement OJT

    On the Job Training provides the opportunity for~the student to be involved in all aspects of the~conservation enforcement field. The student~officer works under the supervision of a training~officer and is involved in regular duties with~that officer. As the training officer observes~the student's performance in a variety of real~world situations, observed competencies are~measured and evaluated.

    6.00

    CRES-1000

    Crisis Intervention and De-escalation

    Participants learn to use the Crisis Intervention~and De-escalation (CID) Model and apply~techniques to effectively de-escalate crisis~situations, specifically those incidents~involving intervention in a mental health crisis.~ This blended course consists of online learning~activities through the Canadian Police Knowledge~Network (CPKN), classroom training, as well as~scenario based training.

    1.00

    NCPR-1002

    Workplace Hazardous Materials~Information Systems

    Students complete Workplace Hazardous Materials~Information System (WHMIS) training and~certification.

    0.00

    PROF-1050

    Professional Ethics and Deportment

    The purpose of this course is to examine and~practice ethical and professional behaviors to~prepare students for making ethical choices during~their time at the academy and in their~professional public safety careers. Students are~required to produce and follow a personal code of~ethics, work as a team, and to exhibit behaviors~and values that are consistent with the~expectations of the profession and the public.

    1.00

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate ethical and professional deportment.
  • Apply the elements of the federal and provincial Criminal Justice systems, including legislation, authorities, and policies as they pertain to the role of a Conservation Enforcement Officer.
  • Explain the duties, roles, and responsibilities of a Conservation Enforcement Officer, including checking hunting and fishing parties for licenses, bag limits, and compliance with safety regulations, planning and executing compliance patrol plans, conducting conservation investigations relating to non-compliance, and promoting safety and conservation of resources with stakeholders.
  • Apply critical thinking skills to make decisions and solve problems in a timely and effective manner.
  • Apply written communication skills in the completion of forms, reports, and other documentation as required including files for court briefings, continuity of evidence, and consultations with the Crown Prosecutor.
  • Demonstrate effective verbal communication skills in all interactions, as well as verbal intervention and de-escalation skills and techniques in situations involving conflict and / or crisis.
  • Demonstrate physical fitness and explain the importance of wellness strategies to deal with occupational stress.
  • Demonstrate defensive driving and traffic control, as well as techniques for performing various types of vehicle stops in a safe and effective manner.
  • Apply use of force tactics and procedures, including the use of firearms, using the National Use of Force Framework to select and articulate an appropriate response. 10. Identify the importance of ongoing personal and professional development, that will lead to enhanced work performance and career opportunities, and to keep pace with industry changes.

You must be a Canadian citizen or have Canadian permanent resident status to apply for this program.

Conservation Enforcement students are required to live in residence for the duration of their training, except when they are in on-the-job training.

Are you physically ready for this program?
In this video, Coach Corey Arsenault tells you what to expect and how to prepare before you get here!

English version / Version française

 Provincial and federal conservation wildlife and parks enforcement authorities.

Did you know? Students are sworn in as armed provincial conservation officers for six weeks during the fall hunting season.

Related Programs

Wildlife Conservation Technology

Start your career as a Wildlife Technician! Learn to collect samples, conduct experiments, & prepare reports in the Wildlife Conservation Technology Program.
Police Science (Cadet)

Study Police Science at The Atlantic Police Academy and learn the academic and tactical skills required to work as a Police Officer in Canada.
Student Support
Student Awards
Student Housing