Taught by

This class provides an introduction to 21st-century forest ecosystem management, the design of forest restoration treatments, and the role of fire in dry forests. A three-day field trip will emphasize the unique issues facing restoration management of fire prone landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. The course materials will explore the underlying science and practice of sustainable forestry, and the interface with societal and economic forces including adapting policies to address 100 years of fire suppression, and climate change. The overall course objective is to increase student literacy and effectiveness in addressing natural resources management issues.

Faculty Biography
Richard Bigley, Ph.D., is a forest ecologist who teaches sustainable forestry and on occasion a forest ecology class. His current work focuses on the restoration of riparian forests to older forest conditions in western Washington, and the ecology and management of headwater streams and wetlands. He works for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Over the last 21 years with DNR, he has served as the team leader for the Forest Ecology, Wildlife Science and the Habitat Conservation Plan Monitoring and Adaptive Management Teams. He also advises other organizations on the development of conservation plans. Before DNR, he worked as an ecologist for the Forest Service PNW Experiment Station and private industry. Richard earned a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology and Silviculture and a M.Sc. in Botany from the University of British Columbia. He has been an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, College of the Environment, School of Forestry since 1994. As member of the Northern Spotted owl “5-year review” panel in 2004, Richard was a contributor to the first comprehensive evaluation of the scientific information on the Northern Spotted owl since the time of its listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1990. After his family, his passions are the science of natural resources management and conservation, and boating.

Quarters

Fall Open

Location and Schedule

Campus Location

Olympia

Time Offered

Evening

Advertised Schedule