Ecology of Grazing and Grasslands in the Pacific Northwest

Spring 2013 quarter

Faculty

Michael Paros veterinary medicine

Fields of Study

agriculture, biology and ecology

Preparatory for studies or careers in

animal agriculture, ecology, conservation, rangeland management, animal physiology and behavior.

Description

This academically rigorous field-based course will provide students with the fundamental tools to manage livestock and grasslands by exploring the ecological relationships between ruminants and the land. We will begin the quarter learning about the physiology of grasses and their response to grazing and fire. Practical forage identification, morphology and production will be taught. Ruminant nutrition, foraging behavior, and digestive physiology will be covered as a precursor to learning about the practical aspects of establishing, assessing and managing livestock rotational grazing operations. We will divide our time equally between intensive grazing and extensive rangeland systems. Classroom lectures, workshops and guest speakers will be paired with weekly field trips to dairy, beef, sheep and goat grazing farms. There will be an overnight trip to Eastern Washington where students can practice their skills in rangeland monitoring. Other special topics that will be covered in the program include: co-evolutionary relationships between ruminants and grasses, targeted and multi-species grazing, prairie ecology and restoration, controversies in public land grazing, and perennial grain development.

Location

Olympia

Online Learning

Hybrid Online Learning < 25% Delivered Online

Books

Greener Store

Required Fees

$250 for field trips.

Upper Division Science Credit

Students seeking to earn upper division credit must contact the faculty to discuss options prior to the start of the quarter

Offered During

Day