Foundations of Professional Forestry

Foundations of Professional Forestry modules focus on a forest professional’s duty to protect the public interest through the application of four foundations: conduct, competence, independence, and accountability.

These foundations, along with the other standards in the Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC) Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct, ensure the public and environment are protected from present or future harm.

This course is broken into two modules and four lessons.

Module 2a explores the regulatory framework governing the practice of professional forestry, with a focus on the Professional Governance Act (PGA) and the Forest Professionals Regulation (FPR). It also examines key concepts such as regulated and reserved practice, public interest, forest stewardship, and the challenges involved in upholding and protecting the public interest.

As well, Module 2a introduces the four foundations of professional forestry: conduct, competence, independence, and accountability. The first foundation of professional forestry, conduct, is examined in detail.

Module 2b examines the other three foundations of professional forestry: competence, independence, and accountability.

Each module includes examples and scenarios demonstrating the application of the four foundations and the Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct to real-world situations that trainees and forest professionals will encounter. These modules support Forest Professionals BC (FPBC) registrants in their adherence to professional practice standards enabling them to keep their ethical and legal duties to act in the public interest.

Estimated completion time: 2.5 hours, per module.

Note: A certificate is automatically generated upon completion of this course. Download the certificate on your LearnDash account page.

Compatible devices: PC, laptops, mobile devices

Learning Outcomes

After completing these modules, you will be able to:

1. Recall why professional forestry is always practiced in the public interest.
2. Describe the public interest.
3. Describe how the four foundations of professional practice — competence, conduct, independence, and accountability — uphold the public interest.
4. Describe the protective purposes of a forest professional’s advice and/or service.
5. Explain how the public interest may not align with other stakeholders or special interest groups.
6. Explain how authority, competence, and experience are necessary for engaging in the reserved practice of professional forestry.
7. Apply the Foundations of Professional Forestry and the Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct to your daily practice.

Lesson Outline: Module 2a — Part 1

• Introduction
• Lesson 1: The Regulatory Context
• Lesson 2: The Public Interest
• Lesson 3: Introduction to the Four Foundations
• Lesson 4: Wrap Up

Lesson Outline: Module 2a — Part 2

• Introduction
• Lesson 1: Conduct Defined and Described
• Lesson 2: Scenario
• Lesson 3: Scenario
• Lesson 4: Wrap Up

Lesson Outline: Module 2b — Part 1

• Introduction
• Lesson 1 – Foundation Two: Competence
• Lesson 2 – Foundation Three: Independence
• Lesson 3-Wrap Up

Lesson Outline: Module 2b — Part 2

• Introduction
• Lesson 1 – Foundation Four: Accountability
• Lesson 2 – Going Over and Above
• Lesson 3-Wrap Up