Course Objectives

Content-based objectives

• To provide students with an understanding of the influences of forest management activities on wildlife and the interactions among  stand development, natural and anthropogenic disturbances, and wildlife populations in forest ecosystems, with an emphasis on forests of the Pacific Northwest.

• To provide students with an understanding of the wildlife groups of management and conservation interest in forests of the Pacific Northwest.

• To provide students with a basic understanding of the influences of habitat characteristics at multiple spatial scales (including individual habitat component, stand, and landscape) on habitat suitability for wildlife in forest ecosystems.

• To provide students with an understanding of the key principles of population ecology, landscape ecology, and conservation biology that pertain to management and conservation of wildlife in forest ecosystems.

• To provide students with an overview of contemporary approaches to managing forest ecosystems with conservation objectives.

Learning-based objectives

• Students will be able to intelligently write about and discuss current issues related to forest management and wildlife conservation based on current scientific information.

• Students will be better able to critically evaluate  management plans and approaches, statements and claims by interest groups, and issues related to wildlife conservation in forest ecosystems.

• Students will be familiar with the ecology, conservation, and management of important wildlife species and groups in northwest forests.

• Students will leave the class with improved critical thinking skills, improved writing skills, improved library research skills, and a greater appreciation of the complexity of forest conservation issues. 

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