Field Courses Offered by Warner College of Natural Resources

NR 382A Integrated Social-Ecological Field Methods in Kenya

Kenya

This three-week program consists of one, five-credit course that will provide students with a unique opportunity to study both ecological and social field methods. Through field-based and classroom settings, students will be introduced to rangeland ecological monitoring techniques and social science research methods in agrarian communities, gaining a depth of understanding that is rarely accessible to visitors.

NR 382B Integrated Social-Ecological Field Methods in Belize

Students will explore a wide variety of ecosystems within just a few weeks’ time, including the forests and Mesoamerican barrier reefs of Belize. Students will also be able to study social field methods by directly engaging with local people, exploring their livelihoods and examining the effects of resource management on the local and global community.

NRRT 321 Marine Ecotourism in The Bahamas

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Sail and snorkel the crystal clear waters of the Bahama Islands. While living aboard a 57-foot Sailing Vessel you will explore key issues in the sustainable development of marine ecotourism in the Abaco Islands near Marsh Harbor, Bahamas. Learn about coral reef ecology and local Bahamian cultures and their interactions with the sea, nature conservation and tourism development.

Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Semester in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico

This semester-long program will satisfy FWCB major course requirements along with providing students first-hand exposure to the beauty and ecological wonders of Baja California Sur.  Lectures will focus on topics related to the theory, methods, and techniques used to study fish and wildlife populations and the communities they inhabit.  Place-based experiential learning opportunities through field excursions will allow students to explore and learn about marine, island, shore, and desert ecosystems; places CSU students seldom encounter because of Fort Collin’s geographic location. The unique and accessible wildlife in Baja California Sur (e.g., whales, whale sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, reef fish, unique birds, and reptiles) also afford an excellent experiential learning opportunity for students.  Program completion will take place before spring break leaving time for students to participate in internship or job opportunities for the duration of the spring semester/summer term.

Coursework includes:

  • FW 370 – Design of Fish and Wildlife Projects
  • FW 382 – Travel Abroad: Wildlife Conservation
  • FW 471 – Wildlife Data Collection and Analysis
  • FW 472 – Issues in Animal Conservation and Management
  • FW 482 – Travel Abroad: Conservation of Desert and Marine Animals

FW 111 Basic Outdoor Skills in Fish, Wildlife & Conservation Biology

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Required field trips. Basic outdoor skills crucial for FWCB and outdoor novices. History of wildlife conservation and reasons for declining outdoor participation

F 230 Forestry Field Measurements

Develop field skills using maps, compasses, and aerial photos; photo interpretation; tree and stand measurements; stand volume and value estimates.

GEOL 436 Geology Summer Field Course

Geologic mapping, measuring sections, interpreting geologic history in Colorado. Required comprehensive reports, geologic maps, and cross sections.

NRRT 350 Wilderness Leadership

Practical and philosophical aspects of wilderness usage including safety, group dynamics, and backcountry skills.

NRRT 351 Wilderness Instructors

Preparation to safely lead and instruct groups in outdoor wilderness programs; further refine skills including judgment and leadership.

NR 220 Natural Resources Ecology and Measurements

Ecology of Rocky Mountain ecosystems. Basic measurements and integrated management of natural resources. CSU Mountain Campus.

NRRT 280 Nature Immersion and Well-Being

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Why do we feel so good when we spend time in nature? How can we use nature to build healthier communities? This course introduces students to the science behind the well-being benefits of nature immersion. From improving physical and mental health, to building a more sustainable society, to achieving social justice goals we’ll focus on how our connection to nature can be leveraged to address some of the biggest problems in society. And we’ll do all this learning immersed in nature at the CSU Mountain Campus. Open to all majors.

WR 406 Seasonal Snow Environments

Evaluation of the physical environment; characteristics of snow; methods of studying snow; snow safety.

RS 329 Rangeland Assessment

A week-long intensive field course to build field skills in identification and mapping land classification units (ecological sites), assessment of soil and vegetation relative to reference conditions for a particular site, and use of state and transition models to interpret current and potential conditions.

NR 477 Restoration Case Studies Field Tour

Analysis and evaluation of ecological restoration projects in the field.