This course introduces students to the major conservation challenges and opportunities facing the Pacific Northwest. Through an interdisciplinary exploration of regional ecosystems, students will examine issues such as invasive species, legacy forest management, wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, climate change impacts, water resources, and biodiversity protection. Students will engage with conservation practitioners through frequent guest presentations from nonprofit organizations, state agencies, tribal natural resource programs, and federal land management and conservation agencies.
Students will complete substantial readings that provide scientific, historical, and policy perspectives on contemporary conservation issues. Active participation in class discussions and engagement with guest speakers are expected. Throughout the quarter, students will develop critical thinking and communication skills through reflective writing assignments that connect course content to real-world conservation practice. The course culminates in a substantial research paper in which students investigate a Pacific Northwest conservation issue of their choice, drawing on scholarly literature and professional perspectives to propose informed solutions or management approaches.
By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of the ecological, social, and policy dimensions of conservation in the Pacific Northwest and the diverse organizations and professionals working to steward the region’s natural resources.

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:

4 - Conservation in the Pacific Northwest