Geography: SL:Restoration Cultures

Social and cultural perspectives on human-environment interactions in the field of restoration ecology. Field-based course that engages students in place-based restoration work with community partners in natural areas. Draws on human geography, environmental history, natural history, environmental humanities, and restoration ecology. Prerequisite: NR 2300 or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: ENVS 2982.

Preq enforced by the system: NR 2300 or Instructor permission required. Contact: Cheryl Morse Crosslisted with ENVS 2982, total combined enrollment: 25 PACE students with permission and override Course fee: $15.00

What values, motivations, and world views shape restoration efforts? How do people who make their living from place-based engagements— in recreation, agriculture, and forestry fields—balance the needs for production with stewardship? How do communities and organizations negotiate multiple uses of, and goals for, public spaces like town forests, trails, historic buildings, and conserved farms? How are nature-based interventions in public spaces designed and put into place? What technical, social, and scientific skills are needed to do this work? Who participates in, and benefits from, these interventions and initiatives? This course considers the relationship between culture and human-environment interactions. We will meet people in the places where they work, steward land, and lead restoration efforts, and learn from their understanding of how humans can function as actors within ecological systems. Restoration Cultures is a field- and project-based course and is part of the Fellowship for Restoration Ecologies and Cultures; only those students who have completed Restoration Ecologies and Cultures may enroll. Instructor permission is required. Learning Goals: 1. Understand and reflect on the societal role restoration plays in addressing grand environmental challenges and human-nature interactions in the 21st century. 2. Gain understanding of human-environment interactions and cultural motivations through direct engagement with professionals in conservation, working landscapes, and restoration fields. 3. Develop deeper understanding of course themes by designing learning opportunities for fellow students through assembling appropriate materials and creating activities. 4. Integrate theoretical and experiential perspectives on the social and cultural aspects of restoration work, and express these in writing and practice. 5. Develop collaborative leadership skills in a team setting. 6. Design, revise, execute, and evaluate a restoration ecology intervention in a natural area. There is a new lab fee for this course (to cover part of the transportation fees). If this is a hardship, please contact Dr Seidl or Dr Morse.

Full participation in class meetings and labs is required. Students must be prepared to work and learn outdoors in winter and spring conditions. Readings and course materials will be provided to the students. These will include academic journal articles and book chapters, popular press articles, films, and reports. The course includes a required two-night group retreat.

Students will write critical reflections, take quizzes, take leadership roles in course design, participate in experiential learning activities, and complete a group restoration project.