RNG 341: Principles of Rangeland Ecology and Management (3 credits)

Describes the ecology and management of North American rangelands with an emphasis on a holistic understanding of rangelands as social-ecological systems. Examines ecosystem goods and services, ecosystem function, disturbance ecology, and management frameworks and principles. Analyzes contemporary issues that threaten the health of rangelands including those that cause conflicts among stakeholders

RNG 441/541: Vegetation Monitoring and Analysis (4 credits)

Describe techniques and methods used to measure, monitor, and analyze vegetation attributes and natural resource data in shrubland, grassland, and forest ecosystems. Topics include sampling principles and design; protocol development; inventory and monitoring; field methods; analysis, evaluation and interpretation of resource data. Field-oriented course, emphasizing both theory and practice

FW 391: Ridge to Reef: Sustainable Management in Palau (4 credits)

How do small islands address issues of natural resource management, food security, and sustainability? What role do communities, governments, and non-profits play in addressing these issues? Can traditional ecological knowledge help solve these challenges? What about climate change on small Islands? The Republic of Palau will be our classroom. Students will work with and learn from fishers, farmers, community leaders, traditional chiefs, terrestrial and marine biologists, and policy makers. Key topics include food security/production, climate change adaptation, protected area management, biocultural conservation, sustainable forest management, watershed management, sustainable development, coral reef and fisheries management, biodiversity measurement methods and ecosystem restoration.

RNG 599/699: Applied Research Design for Ecology and Natural Resources (in development)

Explores principles, strategies, and methods for designing and implementing applied research that addresses current and emerging ecological and resource management issues. Emphasizes the research process, focusing on problem formulation, hypothesis development, study design, research scope, inference space, methodologies, knowledge co-production and collaboration with diverse partners (e.g., private, state, federal, tribal, non-governmental), ethics, and effectively communicating results.

Past Courses

Introduction to Forestry (FOR 111)

Ecology of Shrubland Ecosystems (RNG 352)

Wildland Plant Identification (RNG 353)

Watershed Management (RNG 355)

Wildland Restoration & Ecology (RNG 421)