Protected Areas?

Protected Areas? looks at the concept and reality of protected areas in the United States and internationally. The central focus of the class will develop a supported answer to the question: "Are these areas protected or not?" We will explore the question from a number of perspectives such as for whom, by whom, for what purposes, in what ways, for how long, and in the face of what threats and/or challenges. Other factors will include biodiversity, conservation biology, landscape ecology and planning, and indigenous rights. We will also discuss how science as well as laws, regulations, and policy influence the answer to the question. Issues will include protecting critical habitat, endangered and threatened species, the tension between providing access and protecting natural resources and areas, human-use patterns within and near protected areas, governance structures, and the roles of U.S. and international organizations and agencies that work with protected areas. We will look a both terrestrial and marine protected areas.

Upon completing the program students will have gained an introduction to a range of issues for U.S. and international protected areas. They will have learned how to find information about protected areas and related issues as well as which agencies and organizations are involved. Students will have shared their new knowledge through seminars, presentations, and research. At least 4 quarter hours credit will be upper division science.