How do we conserve endangered animals? These are complex species, often with specific habitat needs. They interact in elaborate ways with members of their species, other species, and with the landscape as a whole.  A detailed understanding of what kinds of habitats species need, and how these habitats are distributed across landscapes, is crucial to managing landscapes to ensure future survival of particular species.

This upper-division program will focus on examining and analyzing the habitat needs of endangered species. Students will learn, develop and apply an intricate interdisciplinary suite of knowledge and techniques that include spatial analysis; ecological modeling; integration of scientific, legal and political information; and computer tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to develop habitat conservation plans for threatened and endangered species as listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. Students will apply a rigorous approach to collecting and analyzing biological, ecological, and habitat data, using GIS to develop habitat suitability models and cost surface maps. Students will learn the importance of developing spatial analyses that communicate ecological information for decision making and planning. They will integrate information into species habitat conservation plans (HCPs), learning to effectively communicate goals, objectives, actions and options while following federal guidelines.

Habitat analysis will be conducted at the landscape scale, integrating the disciplines of landscape ecology with wildlife habitat analysis, wildlife biology, and habitat conservation planning. As a final project, students will develop and present a formal HCP for a threatened or endangered Pacific Northwest species. Students will be required to understand and apply legal concepts associated with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and develop an understanding of stakeholders’ concerns and related issues surrounding resource users that may or may not come into conflict with the conservation of their selected species.

Lectures will cover the areas of landscape ecology, island biogeography and meta-population theory, landscape-scale conservation and ecosystem management,  spatial analysis, GIS, wildlife habitat analysis, and habitat conservation planning. Guest speakers will present recent case studies and approaches to conservation planning. Field trips to locations where wildlife management and conservation are occurring will expose students to methods of habitat assessment, conservation and restoration.  A ten-day field trip to Yellowstone National Park fall quarter will allow students to query wildlife managers and conservationists and to experience firsthand one of the most wildlife-intensive areas of North America. There will be a similar trip to the Olympic Peninsula winter quarter.