Time Schedule:
Thomas M Hinckley
ENVIR 496
Seattle Campus
Environmental Studies course taken through an approved study abroad program for which there are no direct UW equivalents. Credit does not apply to major requirements without approval.
Class description
Forest, Streams and Climate Change: An exploration of issues surrounding the Okanagan/Okanogan River of the United States and Canada.
Three major environmental issues face land managers in the US and Canada: Fires, Insects (specifically the mountain pine beetle) and salmon recovery. These issues have often arisen from very similar historical land management decisions and the overwhelming and borderless impact of climate change; however, the perception and solutions to these problems are likely very different depending upon country, province vs. state and land ownership and its management. We will have an opportunity to see these problems first hand and to talk with stakeholders from federal, state/provincial, local, NGO, private and Native American/First Nations.
Course begins September 16 and ends September 24, 2007
Students will need either a passport or an enhanced Washington State driver’s license.
Major Issues to Examine
1. Background a. Climate Change b. Salmon and Salmon Recovery c. Disturbance regimes (focus on fire and insects) i. Historical ii. Current iii. Proposed d. Land ownership Canada vs. US e. Endangered Species Act vs. Species at Risk Act f. Aboriginal Peoples i. First Nations ii. Native Americans 2. Climate change a. Water i. Power (Seattle City Light and the Ross, Diablo Dams) (Columbia River System) ii. Irrigation iii. Salmon iv. Monitoring (North Cascades and Glaciers, river systems, USGS, Climate Impacts Group) b. Impact on biological systems i. Salmon ii. Trees, Forests iii. Insects (specific focus on mountain pine beetle) 3. Perceptions and responses of stakeholders a. Federal level b. State/provincial level c. County/Municipal d. Private e. NGO f. Aboriginal 4. Synthesis (Contrast and Compare)
Sources Okanogan River
Okanogan County, Washington (http://www.okanogancounty.org/water/watersheds;%20okanogan.htm)
Federal Agencies: Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Serice, USGS State Agencies: Department of Natural Resources, Department of Ecology, Department of Fish and Game, Department of State Parks
County
NGO (Conservation NW)
Tribal: Confederated Tribes of the Colville.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
