More About the Class

The Natural Resource Communications course is designed to provide students with the concepts and techniques for successful communication in natural resource organizations. The course is targeted for individuals who will work in or with natural resource agencies, private industry, or environmental organizations. Concepts and techniques include the following:

• Psychology of communication
• Teamwork and group dynamics
• Meeting skills
• Public relations and the media
• Interpretation and public education
• Operating in the public arena
• Creating Video Presentations

The Video Project

Students work in pairs to produce a 3-5 minute narrated video on a natural resource topic of their choice. Each team submits a written project design plan early in the term. Videos are shown during the last week of class and critiqued by all class members. Additionally, students are required to attend a video equipment orientation session during the first two weeks of the term. Students are expected to invest the time required to learn proper operation of the video and editing equipment.

Presentations should focus on natural resource topics of relevance to the student audience. Student groups typically develop unique topics, but some possibilities include the following:

• Old growth preservation
• Salmon recovery
• Wildfire and forest communities
• Urban/forest interface issues
• Coastline preservation v. development
• Threatened and endangered species
• Challenges of wilderness management
• Wildlife management issues for Oregonians
• Unique interpretive sites

Course Schedule

More Information?

Department of Forest Resources

College of Forestry

Oregon State University