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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
ESCID021.
Course Title (CB02)
Practices of Environmental Stewardship
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
A focus on the California Floristic Province, emphasizing the ways California's biodiversity is sampled and studied. Includes hands-on fieldwork surveying vegetation and animal populations, discussion of societal impacts of biodiversity loss and conservation, and the importance of biodiversity conservation today.<br /> <br /> (Off-campus field trips may be required.)
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is transferable to UC and CSU. It belongs on the Wildlife Science Technician AA degree. It provides students with the opportunity to strengthen environmental knowledge through project-based civic engagement.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
5.0
Maximum Credit Units
5.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
84.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Laboratory experience which involve students in formal exercises of data collection and analysis

Laboratory discussion sessions and quizzes that evaluate the proceedings weekly laboratory exercises

Assignments

  1. Completion of laboratory and field exercises
  2. Collaborative project revealing comprehension of course content with a communication deliverable component.
  3. Small group discussion, presentations and facilitation
  4. Written field and lab projects including a field journal documenting observations.
  5. Final project requiring recommendations of ecological management for a designated open/garden space.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Evaluation of assigned laboratory and field exercises such as the boundaries of the California Floristic Province and a survey of native flora and fauna based on student comprehension.
  2. Midterm assessment evaluating applications of field sampling techniques, conservation issues associated with the California Floristic Province, and problem-solving using environmental case studies.
  3. Small group oral presentation on selected topics that will require students to demonstrate comprehension of established criteria
  4. Completion of individual, written lab/field project reflecting on participatory exercises, including research and recommendations for environmental solutions based on student comprehension.
  5. Final examination on the principles and concepts of the biodiversity of California including the relationship between preservation of California's native flora and fauna and the benefits to human systems

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Meffe, G., L. Nielsen, R. Knight, and D. Schenborn. 2002. Ecosystem Management: Adaptive, Community-Based Conservation. Island Press, Washington

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Gallagher, D. R. (2012). Environmental Leadership: A Reference Handbook. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Uy, N., & Shaw, R. (2012). Ecosystem-based adaptation. Bingley, U.K: Emerald.
Keller, A. C. (2009). Science in Environmental Policy : The Politics of Objective Advice. Cambridge, Mass: The MIT Press.
In Hastings, A., & In Gross, L. J. (2012). Encyclopedia of theoretical ecology.
Zedler, J. B., Palmer, M. A., Falk, D. A., & Society for Ecological Restoration, I. (2006). Foundations of Restoration Ecology. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Determine the characteristics, boundaries and biological significance of the California Floristic Province
  • Assess local plant and animal species by using dichotomous keys and other identification tools
  • Survey the ecological roles of plant and animal species in their respective natural communities
  • Recognize exotic invasive species and their effects on native plant associations
  • Practice and appraise standard field sampling and work techniques and used to survey plant and animal populations and implement ecological restoration and land management strategies.
  • Utilize agency and academic databases in researching the status, distribution and management of native species
  • Analyze local species' status categories (vulnerable, threatened, endangered) and their conservation requirements
  • Identify current issues of concern related to biodiversity, both local and international

CSLOs

  • Synthesize solutions to threats to biodiversity.

  • Design management plans for open/garden spaces considering stakeholder perspectives.

Outline

  1. Determine the characteristics, boundaries and biological significance of the California Floristic Province
    1. Examine the species in the CFP as displayed in the Cheeseman Environmental Studies area.
    2. Appraise the relationship of topography and species in the natural plant community distribution.
    3. Analyze the impacts of the changing climate on the plant communities, threats to the existence of the plant communities.
  2. Assess local plant and animal species by using dichotomous keys and other identification tools
    1. Design and utilize dichotomous keys, databases, digital apps, and other beneficial tools used in the ecology and environmental sciences.
    2. Identify native plant species in the field and assist with the identification and management of the identification system within the Cheeseman Environmental Studies Area.
    3. Appraise DNA analysis as an identification and conservation tool
  3. Survey the ecological roles of plant and animal species in their respective natural communities
    1. Determine major producers, consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores) in selected local communities
    2. Examine local keystone species, as well as the effects of their loss on community structure and stability
  4. Recognize exotic invasive species and their effects on native plant associations
    1. Examine invasive species such as yellow star thistle, Himalayan blackberry, eucalyptus, mitten crab etc.
    2. Assess effects of invasive species on native species
  5. Practice and appraise standard field sampling and work techniques and used to survey plant and animal populations and implement ecological restoration and land management strategies.
    1. Utilize such sampling techniques as transects, quadrats, toe-point surveys to analyze vegetation
    2. Assess arthropod diversity in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats
    3. Explore techniques methods of ecological restoration and management.
  6. Utilize agency and academic databases in researching the status, distribution and management of native species
    1. Assess both governmental and non-governmental databases such as the California Department of Fish & Game (CDFG) Biodiversity Database and the California Native Plant Society resources
    2. Assess the local habitat assessment plans including Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) and Natural Communities Conservation Planning (NCCP)
  7. Analyze local species' status categories (vulnerable, threatened, endangered) and their conservation requirements
    1. Examine such local case studies such as the burrowing owl, checkerspot butterfly, Santa Clara County Dudleya, Pacific pond turtle, and the steelhead trout from scientific and social stakeholder perspectives.
    2. Discuss habitat preferences, distribution, management plans of such species
  8. Identify current issues of concern related to biodiversity, both local and international
    1. Assess selected case studies such as CA marine fisheries, forest management controversies, illegal harvest of shellfish and black bears, etc
    2. Loss of connectivity (wildlife corridors) and habitat fragmentation
    3. Discuss the potential impacts of climate change, while considering opposing human ideologies, on life on earth, .

Lab Topics

  1. Scientific method protocol
  2. Microscope technique and observation and lab protocol
  3. Ecological restoration and open space management
  4. California Floristic Province overview
  5. Field etiquette and protocol
  6. Field observation and survey techniques
  7. Field identification of wildlife and other environmental aspects of ecosystems
  8. Problem solving and scientific inquiry on local, state and global issues related to biodiversity
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