Parks Training and Education

Parks Training Manuals

These Parks and Open Spaces Training Manuals are free to the public:

• Aerating Handbook

• Aerial Pruning Handbook

• Blower and Argo Handbook

• Deficiencies Handbook

• Facilitator Guide

• Herbicide Application Handbook

• Ice Making Handbook

• Litter-Free Handbook

• Rototilling Handbook

• Sprayer Handbook

• String Trimming Handbook

• Tree and Shrub Bed Maintenance Handbook

• Tree Planting Handbook

• Tree Removal Handbook

• Turf Cutting Handbook

• Turf Restoration Handbook

• Wood Chipper Handbook 

Education and Training Opportunities

More education and training opportunities for parks professionals are available through the following organizations:

Saskatchewan Polytechnic - Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves 28,000 distinct students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.

Prairie Horticulture Certificate at the University of Saskatchewan - Online and distance education horticulture classes offered in three terms/year. Study at your own pace. Take one class or complete the entire certificate in less than 360 hours! Offering quality horticulture education since 1994.

Gardenline - University of Saskatchewan Horticulture Division This division offers sustainable horticulture information that is free of charge to the public with the support of the University of Saskatchewan Extension Division, the Department of Plant Sciences and the Provincial Government.

Olds College - School of Horticulture The Horticulture Programs at Olds College continue in a tradition of educational excellence in Ornamental and Production Horticulture. Related extension courses are also offered alongside the Horticulture programs.

University of Guelph Open Learning - Horticulture Science This open division offered through the University of Guelph allows for a variety of non-traditional learning opportunities related to horticulture and park management. Such offerings include: short courses, night courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, certificate programs, customized training packages, and degree-credit and non-credit distance education courses.

Western Canadian Cemetery Association (WCCA) The Western Canadian Cemetery Association is an organization of municipal, private, and religious cemeteries throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and includes affiliated memberships. The WCCA provides a forum for education and mutual exchange of ideas for its members.

The Saskatchewan Association of Landscape Architects (SALA) The Saskatchewan Association of Landscape Architects represents professional landscape architects in Saskatchewan. Its members qualify by years of education, training, and experience. They subscribe to a code of ethics to ensure professional practices and to protect the interest of clients and the public.

Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association (STA) Saskatchewan's Turfgrass Association, founded in 1979, is a non-profit organization. The STA was organized by a group of Turfgrass Professionals, which has grown to include people from Parks, Golf Courses, Sod Growers, Cities and Commercial Companies.

Saskatchewan Forestry Association (SFA) The Saskatchewan Forestry Association is a non-profit agency that delivers forest education materials and programming to both schools and the public at little or no cost to the end user. They provide a bias balanced component to programming ensuring to deliver objective information about the forest environment and current forestry issues.

Communities in Bloom (CiB) Communities in Bloom is dedicated to providing guidance on the sustainable management of municipal greenspaces. Through its programming and annual symposium on parks and grounds, best practices on turf maintenance, urban forestry, and horticulture are available. More information may be obtained by contacting the national program coordinator at programcoordinator@cib-cef.com or (514) 694-8871.

Saskatchewan Trails Association (STA) The Saskatchewan Trails Association aids communities and volunteer organizations in the development of recreational trail. Information on ways to build and fund trails development can be accessed through their staff and directors.

Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association (SRPA) The Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association acts as the major governing body of Regional Parks. Some of their objectives include: providing a forum to discuss common problems of park authorities and acting as a liaison with Government and Municipalities in questions of policy and administration.

Tree Canada Tree Canada is a charitable organization that partners with local volunteers to improve our quality of life by planting and caring for trees. In your neighborhoods, schoolyards, parks, and in the countryside, Tree Canada leaves a living, breathing legacy for generations to come.

For More Information

For information about how SPRA can assist you with training and professional development related to Parks and Open Spaces, contact:

Andrew Exelby
Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association
Consultant, Parks and Open Spaces
(306) 780-9262
aexelby@spra.sk.ca