Nature   

This course will consist of two outings—to Pompadour Bluff and Oredson-Todd Woods—during which participants will engage in such tasks as trail grading, cleaning out bird boxes, removal of blackberry vines, and other activities as needed to help maintain these scenic areas. Participants will perform physical labor, learn why some invasive plants should be removed, hike to the top of Pompadour Bluff, enjoy the beauty of the Oredson-Todd Woods, and learn some of the history of the bluff and the woods. Each of the two outings will last three hours. Part of that time will be taken up with walking to and from the work sites and instruction before the work begins. This course will take place in the field, not at the SOU campus. Participants will receive instructions on how to get to Pompadour Bluff, the Oredson-Todd Woods, and where to park.

NOTE: Participants should be prepared to do physical work and take a moderate hike at each outing. Note that each outing is scheduled for three hours. Participants will be required to sign a waiver before taking part.

The Oregon Natural Areas Program was established by the 1979 Oregon Legislature to help protect natural areas in Oregon. This course will look at the conservation of natural resources in Oregon with a focus on Research Natural Areas (RNAs) and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). We will briefly survey Federal Natural Areas as well as those lands protected by The Nature Conservancy and the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy. The major ecosystems found in Oregon and the specific habitats included in the Natural Areas Programs will be reviewed. Students will be asked to browse The Oregon Natural Areas 2020 Report (available online) before the first class session. Lectures, multi-media presentations, guest speakers, and discussion will be included.

The quote, “Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting over” has been attributed to Mark Twain and frames the controversy over western water policies. Learn the history of how development of the western states led to water being moved from its source to distant mines, farms, and cities. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue, as both parties have a history of supporting water projects. The course will begin with John Wesley Powell’s call for state boundaries to be based on watersheds, which went unheeded. Learn about the underhanded way in which Los Angeles absconded with water from a distant valley or how a dam in a national park was a catalyst for modern environmentalism. The class will conclude with contemporary issues such as the pending removal of Klamath River dams for salmon restoration. Classes will include lectures, slides, videos, and plenty of time for discussions.

Wilderness—what does that term mean to you? Is it your unmown backyard? Is it an area large enough for a two-week backpack trip without seeing a road, building, or other symbol of modern society? Does the word even have meaning to the indigenous peoples that stewarded North America prior to Euro-American conquest? In 1964, America made the decision through federal legislation not to develop every acre of our country—but instead to create a system of preserves where natural processes are allowed to function. This course looks at the development and history of wilderness as a simple descriptive, yet highly subjective, notion. Included are the visionaries that pushed for setting aside some of our wildlands. Managing wilderness (an oxymoron?) is not an easy task with climate change, fires and overuse. Does the wilderness system have the political support that it once enjoyed? How much is enough? Classes will include lectures, slides, videos, guest speakers, and time for discussions.

Wilderness—what does that term mean to you? Is it your unmown backyard? Is it an area large enough for a two-week backpack trip without seeing a road, building, or other symbol of modern society? Does the word even have meaning to the indigenous peoples that stewarded North America prior to Euro-American conquest? In 1964, America made the decision through federal legislation not to develop every acre of our country—but instead to create a system of preserves where natural processes are allowed to function. This course looks at the development and history of wilderness as a simple descriptive, yet highly subjective, notion. Included are the visionaries that pushed for setting aside some of our wildlands. Managing wilderness (an oxymoron?) is not an easy task with climate change, fires and overuse. Does the wilderness system have the political support that it once enjoyed? How much is enough? Classes will include lectures, slides, videos, guest speakers, and time for discussions.