Environmental Science Policy and Management

Theory and practice of translating ecological knowledge, environmental issues, and values into educational forms for all age levels and all facets of society, including schools. Concentrated experience in participatory education

Seminar in which students consider how modern biotechnological approaches, including recombinant DNA methods, can be used to recognize and solve problems in the area of conservation, habitat and endangered species preservation, agriculture and environmental pollution. Students will also develop and present case studies of environmental problems solving using modern molecular methods.

The American forest will be examined in terms of its ecology, history, and representations in paintings, photographs, and literary essays. This examination seeks to understand the American forest in its scientific and economic parameters, as well as the historic, social, and ideological dimensions which have contributed to the evolution of our present attitudes toward the forest

Interdisciplinary study of issues for advanced students. Designed to develop skills in critical analysis of specific issues. Different topics will be available each semester reflecting faculty and student interest. Major research project required

A capstone workshop with faculty and outside professionals for students planning to enter the field of professional forestry. The workshop develops and examines current issues in forestry to advance critical capacities about real-world dynamics and how professional performance fits with them. Student projects and oral presentations are integral to the course.

Seminar format with presentation and discussion by each student, with long term paper requirement. Examination in depth of current issues in wildlife management.

Begins with the evolution and domestication of grazing animals, continues through ranching and rangeland stewardship practices, and explores new institutional arrangements for conservation and restoration. Woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands provide biodiversity, wildlife habitat, watershed, recreation, open space, and forage. Human practices and ecosystem dynamics meet in rangeland management. Methods for changing, predicting, or assessing the results.

Concepts and applications of silviculture for the establishment, growth, composition, and quality of forest trees and stands. Silviculture is presented as a tool to meet multiple resource and ecosystem management objectives related to wildlife habitat, watershed resources, forest health, or timber production. Three Saturday field trips will be scheduled in lieu of several laboratories.

Agroforestry principles and systems in use worldwide are examined, with emphasis on contemporary temperate agroforestry system design and management. Economic, biologic, social, and political conditions for successful agroforestry systems are analyzed. Some laboratory sessions will be field trips that will extend beyond the scheduled lab time.

Planning and management of forestlands to meet multiple objectives of land owners and the society. Processing and organization of land data and forest ecosystem dynamics for quantitative analysis with GIS. Fundamentals of land-use planning, valuation, multiple goal decision analysis, and forest management scheduling. Quantitative, analytical, and communication skills are emphasized. Oral presentation required.