Forestry and Wildlife Methods

What are common methods in forestry and wildlife ecology in Pacific Northwest Forests? How do environmental scientists measure forest density, forest structure, wildlife abundance, bird and small animal diversity? This program will focus on methods in ecological field science, with a focus on wildlife and forestry. The program is designed to build essential field skills for students in Plant Biology, Zoology, or Environmental Science areas of study. Topics will include measurement techniques in forest structure, forestry, plant diversity ecological restoration, riparian ecology, plant community abundance and monitoring, wildlife survey methods, acoustic monitoring, insect sampling, butterfly monitoring, and habitat surveys. Students will learn methods in forestry and wildlife monitoring and then apply their learning in forests, prairies, and one remote site in eastern Washington. Along the way, we will visit, explore, and learn about field measurements in South Puget Sound lowlands, National Forests, National Parks, State Forests, and other relevant natural settings.

Through a series of short, intensive field exercises, students will learn common techniques and then follow up on processing data from field exercises in weekly labs. Students will also participate in a 6-day field trip to a remote site in the Pacific Northwest (the Sinlahekin Valley, WA). Finally, students will write reports for surveys of their choice where they apply their learning in unique study locations. We will emphasize identification of original field measurements in forest, wetland, shrub steppe, and prairie habitats. At the end of the quarter our work will culminate in a poster session showcasing student work.