Course Highlights

  • Developed by Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada), an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, in collaboration with Sault College

  • Learn at your own pace using a computer, tablet, or smartphone

  • Take up to 90 days to complete this course

  • Earn a certificate of course completion and digital badge upon successfully completing the course that can be shared on social media such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook; downloaded as a PDF; or even embedded in an email signature!

  • Discounted rate available for PLT Canada Green Jobs Youth, SFI-Certified organizations, and Sault College NEOS students

Course Information

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Recognize how key principles related to the ownership, control, access, and possession (OCAP®) of Indigenous knowledge apply to every phase of the sustainable forest management process.


To achieve this objective, the course explores topic such as: 

  • Principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®) and related considerations
  • Navigating the use and integration of traditional forest-related knowledge into forest planning, projects, and operations


This course is designed for individuals who work Indigenous Peoples, or who would like to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Communities in their professional roles in the forest sector.  This includes:

  • Indigenous and Community Relations Personnel and Managers
  • Executive and Senior Leadership in the Forest Sector
  • Members of Forest Sector Boards
  • Forest Sector ESG and Certification Leads
  • Communications & Public Relations
  • Forest Managers & Technicians
  • Business & Economic Developers
  • Field-Based Operators & Supervisors
  • Community Development Practitioners
  • Forestry & Green Jobs Students
  • Environmental Educators


The course may also be of interest to those working outside of the forest sector as the information is broadly applicable to other sectors.

Learners will receive the following Example Digital Badge and Certificate of Course Completion.

Content Contributors & Partners

Project Learning Tree Canada

Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada) is a bilingual charity committed to fostering inclusive environmental education and growing a diverse and resilient Green Jobs workforce, using trees and forests as windows on the world. Our environmental education and professional development services, which include high-value work experiences and an industry-leading mentorship program, support youth across Canada on their green career pathways, including those in rural, Indigenous and urban communities. PLT Canada is an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).