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Environmental Conservation

The HFM CTE Environmental Conservation program prepares students for achieving future career goals. Within this program, students can specialize in Forestry & Lumber Production or Heavy Equipment Operation.

Students can receive NYS Game of Logging credentialing, First Aid/CPR, OSHA certifications, and DEC erosion and sediment control training. Students learn how to operate HFM’s fleet of bulldozers, excavators, loaders and other forestry equipment.

Additional Training:

• Hand Tools and Power Tools
• Welding and Cutting Tools
• Surveying Equipment
• Saw Mill Operation and Management
• Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Operation
• Chainsaw and Pole Saws
• Dump Truck and Trailer Operations

HFM CTE’s extensive facilities include nature trails, ponds, an indoor aquaculture facility, lumber production area and more.

Students are expected to develop employability skills necessary for success in each career path. Students must have exceptional attendance and dress appropriately for working with power tools as well as working outdoors in all weather conditions. Professionalism with their peers, instructors, and during internships is imperative for student success.

Forestry and Lumber Production

Students operate chain saws to fell trees, buck up lumber and limb trees. They learn and operate the band saw mill and edger to produce graded lumber that is used primarily on campus. They will spend time in the woods studying silviculture, wildlife and fauna. Highly qualified completers may take the NY State Game of Logging exam and may receive a technical endorsement on their high school diploma.

Heavy Equipment Operation

Students learn to operate a variety of heavy equipment, learn “green” site management techniques, and may complete the first two classroom years of the four-year apprenticeship program required to become a journeyman operator. Students may receive NCCER accreditation and high achieving students may receive a technical endorsement on their high school diploma.

Renewable Resources

Students participate in a variety of classroom and lab studies focused on renewable resources including, but not limited to, aquaculture, hydroponics, aquaponics, PV and wind power generation, and biodiesel production. HFM BOCES has extensive lab facilities for these studies in the building, on our nature trail, and around pond areas.

Program Objectives:
  • Prepare students for employment by developing work ethic, problem solving and leadership skills
  • Provide foundation and transition for related college studies.
  • Instill the importance of safety while utilizing equipment and working with others.
  • Develop broadly educated individuals in the environmental construction fields.
  • Promote education, curiosity, and creativity in science.
  • Maintain an atmosphere of student-centered environmental education that enhances the learning and success of all students.
  • All students receive core training by NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) including: safety, rigging, blueprint reading, power and hand tools and mathematics.
  • All students receive the OSHA 10 hour safety course certification.
  • All students receive First Aid and CPR certification
  • The NYS Logger certification is an option for students choosing the forestry concentration in their senior year.
  • Heavy equipment operation students complete Level 1 Heavy Equipment operation/NCEER curriculum
Elements of Course Content:
  • Basic Tool Use
  • Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance
  • Surveying
  • Chain Saw Operation
  • Wildlife Identification and Habitat
  • Plant Identification and uses
  • Introductory Welding
  • Soil Conservation
  • Sawmill Operation
  • Introduction to Aquaculture and Hydroponics
High School credits earned:

The Environmental Conservation program includes integrated mathematics, providing students an opportunity to earn a mathematics credit toward graduation.

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