Agr, Lndscp & Envir: Intro to Ecological Planning

Explores conservation planning and design strategies for restoring healthy ecosystems and building healthy livable communities. Through lectures, guest speakers, case studies, book discussions, field trips, and real-world class projects, students are given hands-on opportunities to learn about ecological planning in Vermont and beyond.

Open to degree and PACE students Instructor permission required

This course explores conservation and design strategies for restoring healthy ecosystems and building healthy liveable communities. Students will be introduced to opportunities within environmental and design fields to help design a more sustainable and more resilient future. The course covers a diversity of topics within sustainable landscape design including biodiversity conservation, green infrastructure, agroecological design, and the connections between humans and nature. Through lectures, guest speakers, case studies, book discussions, field trips, and real-world class projects, students are given hands-on opportunities to learn about living landscapes in Vermont and beyond. In the face of climate change and the ongoing loss of natural habitats, new strategies must be implemented to protect biodiversity and protect/restore healthy ecosystems. The next generation of architects, landscape designers, environmental planners, and conservationists will be challenged to preserve, restore, and create resilient and healthy ecosystems and communities. This course will help students prepare to take on these challenges. ALE 1370 is approved as a course that fulfills two of UVM’s General Education requirements, Sustainability (SU) and Natural Sciences (N1: non-lab).

After completing this course, the student will be able to: •Understand the benefits of vegetation and natural processes in sustainably managing the environment •Identify opportunities to make the built environment more resilient through sustainable landscape design •Understand the fundamentals of designing landscapes that maximize diversity and provide habitat for pollinators, beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife •Recognize the importance of nature in human well-being and the health of communities

Grades will be based on class attendance, participation in class activities, a series of module assignments, and a final group research/design project and presentation.