Salmon Ecology, Policy, and Management

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Salmon play an essential role in the Pacific Northwest economy, ecosystems, and cultures. Salmon have been on the landscape for millions of years and have shaped the lives of people in this region for millennia. This course will explore the management of salmon and other aquatic and marine species through the lens of science, policy, and history. Specific themes will include salmon biology and ecology, conservation and management, environmental law, tribes and treaty rights, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and the science-policy interface in the context of conservation issues such as habitat loss, water availability, dams, pollution, and climate change. The course will also occasionally highlight conservation issues being covered in the news as a way to augment class discussions and illustrate current challenges.

Erik Neatherlin is the director of the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office which coordinates salmon and Southern Resident orca recovery for Washington. Erik has a background in conservation science in various capacities with government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Erik previously served as fisheries science director and policy lead for salmon recovery with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and has represented the state on several national and international boards and commissions. Erik has a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University and a Master of Science from the University of Washington.

Course Structure and Assignments: The course will explore topics through lectures, guest speakers, and seminars, and will include one mandatory field trip, to be scheduled later. The work for the course will include: weekly reading and writing (short 1-2 paragraphs) assignments, seminar discussions, co-leading one seminar, and a final individual PowerPoint presentation to the class.

In-person Class Format: This course is offered fully in-person. Students should expect to attend in-person for all class periods. We cannot promise to offer remote attendance options due to illness or other absences. Students should strategize methods for getting notes from class when attendance is not possible.

Class Schedule: Wednesday nights, 6pm-10pm