In this program, students learn how to use Hitchcock and Cronquist's Flora of the Pacific Northwest, a technical key for identifying unknown plants. In the field and laboratory, they will hone their ability to recognize diagnostic characters of plant families. Students will also learn how to collect, prepare, and curate herbarium specimens. These skills will be applied to a collaborative research project. Through field trips, lectures, and readings, students will learn about Pacific Northwest plant communities, including prairies, oak woodlands, coniferous forests, sagebrush steppe, and wetlands. Students can expect to dedicate a significant amount of time to maintaining a detailed field journal, which will be used to assess their field skills.

Another significant focus of the quarter is botanical illustration. Students will create a portfolio of artwork and participate in the curation of a show. In lectures, readings and critiques, participants will study the cultural history of botanical illustration. In workshops, students can expect to develop skills in pen and ink, scratchboard, and watercolor techniques. Students will practice these skills in the execution of a portfolio of illustrations. They will also learn to digitally reproduce and manipulate their images for publication. A five-day field trip to Sun Lakes State Park is critical to the work of this program. Participation in this and other field trips is required.