A panoramic view of ecosystems, current topics, primary organizations and professions in modern natural resources management. Lectures, discussions and extensive field activities survey this diverse industry. Use career assessment and planning tools, such as educational portfolio development, to create a strategy for your professional future.
Course Learning Outcomes
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Describe and apply concepts of ecology, conservation, and management for timber, fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
Problem SolvingQuantitative Reasoning -
Describe biotic and abiotic processes, including human impacts that influence ecosystems and contribute to ecological change.
Problem SolvingQualitative ReasoningCommunicationWritten Expression
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Objectively predict, assess, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate perspectives of diverse stakeholders regarding natural resource problems and issues.
Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingQuantitative Reasoning -
Recognize the role of cultural diversity in resource management and describe the impact of the global distribution of people and wealth on resource use and valuation.
InquiryResearch
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Select and apply appropriate field techniques to sample, measure, and monitor timber, fish, and wildlife species and their habitat(s).
Problem SolvingCritical Thinking -
Demonstrate the ability to locate opportunities and prepare application materials for state and federal jobs in natural resources.
CommunicationOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionInquiryInformation Literacy
Core Topics
- Natural resources management.
- Natural resources organizations.
- Land ownerships and the role of federal, state, and local governance.
- Natural resources management philosophies/paradigms.
- Ecosystem types, components, functions, and processes.
- Renewable and non-renewable resources.
- Solid waste and the methods of reuse and disposal.
- Outdoor recreation and land-use planning.
- Careers in Natural Resource Management.
- Role of data reporting in natural resources decision making.
- Development of portfolio to guide students' choices of educational experiences while enrolled at WVC and beyond, including identification of career goals, compilation of existing relevant work experience, identification of what educational and other activities are needed to reach the desired individual and natural resources program outcomes.
Optional topics (may not be covered every quarter)
- Soil & Water Conservation
- Forest & Rangeland Practices
- Fish & Wildlife Management
- Outdoor Recreation & Public Lands
- Solid Waste & Waste Water Management
- Wetlands, Watersheds & Water Supplies
- Air & Water Quality Standards
- Alternative Energy & Mineral Resources
- Land-use Planning Models