Course Description: Restoration Ecology is a 4-credit MES program elective. The field of restoration ecology is fairly young, relative to other scientific disciplines. However, ecological restoration has occurred throughout human history, as various cultures have initially disrupted and then attempted to recover vital ecosystem services provided by intact, functioning ecosystems. Identifying priority restoration targets for nearly any ecosystem is one of the largest challenges for the conservation community, as it requires a complex understanding of the historical, social, political and ecological influences on restoration success.

This 4-credit graduate level course will explore both the objective and the subjective facets of restoration ecology, including various cultural perspectives on the value of restoration, how economic and political realities influence restoration targets, and the integrated structural and functional components of ecosystems that contribute to the success or failure of any restoration project. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate small- to large-scale restoration projects, in the Pacific Northwest and around the world, as well as take part in active ecological restoration.

NOTE: One weekend field trip to the Elwha Dam (dates TBD but likely weekend of 2/11).