Natural Sciences 191CNS10 - FYS - Headwaters to Oceans

Water is a critical resource for humanity, required for life itself. But our uses of water go far beyond a liquid to drink. In this seminar we will follow the Connecticut River from its headwaters to the ocean discussing the uses, impacts and challenges from an ecosystem perspective. We will look at how humans use the watershed, and how those uses have changed the river, how the fish that use the river have been affected and what we are trying to do to improve the situation. The seminar will touch on floods, water control structures, hydropower, energy, fish passage, federal regulations and ocean uses such as offshore wind and fisheries. Local examples will be featured to understand the way human activities shape watersheds and the organisms that live in them, highlighting issues in sustainability. We will use the Tan Brook watershed, which includes the Campus pond, and the various needs of the University infrastructure to introduce students to campus resources.

Open to Natural Sciences Freshman with a declared major or on the Natural Sciences Exploratory Track.