Group project
Overview
Students will work in self-selected teams to examine a contemporary social/management issue having relevance to wildlife in forests. After choosing an appropriate issue, students will identify the key conceptual and theoretical elements related to their issue, will evaluate the consequences of application of the management approach in relation to those key conceptual and theoretical elements, and will make recommendations based on the group’s findings. Groups may consist of three to five students, depending on interest and the scope of the topic. A final report will be presented orally and in written format.
Topics
Students will generate ideas for topics early in the quarter. Examples of potential topics include:
Post-fire salvage harvest on the Biscuit Fire
Snag management on private forest lands
Wildlife implication of a ban on clearcutting in Oregon
50-50 proposal for Tillamook State Forest
Oregon Forest Practice standards for dead wood
Oregon Forest Practice standards for riparian areas
Implementation of salmon anchor habitat on ODF lands
Students are encouraged to consider international topics and issues for their project as well. Examples of potential international topics include:
Use of forest certification to achieve wildlife goals in tropical forests
Management of native tropical forests for wood products
Extractive reserves
Project goals
The goals of this project include:
To increase student understanding of the conceptual and theoretical foundations underlying forest wildlife issues.
To develop student understanding of the interactions between those conceptual and theoretical foundations and real world management issues.
To facilitate development of oral and written communication skills.
To facilitate development of teamwork skills.
Project grade
The group project is worth 50% of the total class grade. The 50% will be subdivided as:
Issue overview presentation: 5%
Concepts and theory presentation: 5%
Final presentation: 15%
Final report: 25%
The final grade for the group project will be modified if appropriate based on evaluations of contributions made by group members.