Introduction to Natural History of the Pacific Northwest

Understanding natural history is an important part of being an ecologist in the 21st century. This program provides opportunities for students to gain foundational natural history skills and knowledge through seminars, lectures, labs, and extensive fieldwork. Fall in the Pacific Northwest is a great time to get outside and observe the natural world. Students will learn about the plants, fungi, and animals inhabiting ecosystems within ~250 kilometers of Olympia. The diversity of organisms in our area is very great, ranging from marine algae and tide pool animals to montane forest birds, fungi, and plants. On-campus field days will include exercises to learn about forest and estuarine biodiversity. Identification labs will serve as a foundation for learning to identify common species using field guides and keys. One-day field trips to observe organisms in different Pacific Northwest habitats and a multi-day camping trip to the Olympic Peninsula will further the diversity of our field experiences. Students will detail their work in field notebooks and through photographic entries in the online biodiversity citizen science app, iNaturalist. Students will expand upon their observations in natural history journals. Students will receive instruction in the fundamental skills of camping, hiking, and outdoor activities needed to carryout field studies in remote areas with uneven terrain. Program participants will learn classic techniques of specimen collection and modern digital archiving methods. In seminar, we will explore modern and classic readings in natural history.

This program is coordinated with Greener Foundations for first-year students. Greener Foundations is Evergreen’s in-person introductory student success course, which provides first-year students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive at Evergreen. Students expected to take Greener Foundations should use CRN 10012 to register for a 2-credit Greener Foundations course in addition to this 14-credit program. When using this CRN students will take additional steps to complete their registration, more information can be found at the Greener Foundations Registration Help Wiki.

First-year students who are not expected to take Greener Foundations or have been granted an exemption should use CRN 10011 to register for this program. Find more details about who isn't expected to take Greener Foundations on the Greener Foundations website.  

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies

3 - Introductory Botany

3 - Introductory Zoology

5 - Pacific Northwest Biodiversity

3 - Natural History Seminar