Restoration ecology is the returning of damaged ecosystems or particular properties of a desired state of ecological health. For purposes of this course, this field can be divided into four topics: 1) remediation of damaged sites where no return to original conditions is possible (e.g. strip-mined sites), 2) restoration of missing natural processes (fire, flood cycles, etc.), 3) return of missing native species or protection of declining native species, and 4) elimination or management of damaging invasive species.

Introduction to the policies and politics of climate change adaptation with a focus on the response of human systems in both the developed and developing world context. Overview of climate projections and potential hazards to socio-ecological systems. Examination of adaptation strategies, policies directing responses, knowledge and factors that facilitate or stymie action, maladaptation. Discussion of debates on the role of international climate community; state and non-state actors; climate justice and how to reach the most vulnerable.

In this course we will cover aspects of arboricultural practice - including pruning, cabling, rigging, and tree risk assessment - in great depth. We will reference arboricultural standards, best management practices, and the primary scientific literature to gain a mechanical perspective. We will also introduce basic research methods related to investigating the mechanical aspects of arboricultural practice.

This course provides a professional opportunity to gain inventory experience. Students in interdisciplinary teams generate/analyze resource inventory data and provide a professional-grade report to a community or conservation organization.

Training in forest fire control principles and procedures including fire-line safety, fire weather, and fire behavior. Students may meet Federal Interagency Fire Qualification for "Firefighter."

Development of individualized curricula for the major's elective credits. University and program graduation requirements, second majors, minors, and curriculum plans discussed.

What makes the landscape? How do you know it? Many processes operate on wildly different scales that inform the way the surface of our planet looks. At the largest scale, we will talk about Earth's active geology, major continental features such as mountain ranges and volcanoes. Landscapes eroded and changed by wind, water, ice (and humans!) each have a distinctive signature. We'll also look at water and energy factors affecting the formation of deserts, grasslands, and forests.

The goals of this course are to teach you basic GIS concepts such as spatial data sources and structures, projections and coordinate systems, geospatial analysis, cartographic modeling, and the integration of remote sensing and GIS. By the end of the course, students will be proficient in ESRI ArcGIS software.

This course provides the evolutionary basis for understanding biological problems in conservation. Evolutionary thinking provides more comprehensive approaches to conservation biology and future conservation practitioners must be equipped with the ability to think about conservation from an evolutionary perspective. Major topics will include: (1) a survey of evolutionary theory; (2) the application of evolutionary thinking to case studies and problems in conservation biology.

Interdisciplinary course combines reading and group discussions, a winter camping trip with a Cree family in northern Quebec, and an individual term project to explore Cree culture, natural resources, and issues of sustainability, stewardship of the environment, and social justice.