Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Fieldwork statement

Fieldwork is a professional competence in many areas of Environmental Studies. Standard field practices include measurements of abiotic and biotic components in a variety of environmental conditions and habitat types. Fieldwork includes use of all the senses to make observations in natural and built environments. Field training may include developing skills in site characterization, application of key terms and concepts, species identification, and measurement and data collection using appropriate equipment. Fieldwork may include inherent risks (uneven terrain, off-trail work with map & compass, variable weather, insects, environmental irritants, travel, stress, etc.).

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Describe the history, motivation and purposes of environmental restoration.

2. Identify the indirect and direct drivers, stressors, and ecological effects of environmental degradation in diverse ecosystems.

3. Describe the steps in the restoration/enhancement process (diagnosis, goal setting, planning, supporting, monitoring and evaluation) for a variety of case studies.

4. Analyze a variety of restoration approaches including modification of landforms, hydrology, soil and water quality, and establishment of native plant and animal communities.

5. Observe several local restoration projects and reflect upon challenges and successes associated with these projects.

6. Collect data and use the scientific literature to help inform restoration practices.

• Lectures

• Active learning activities such as creation of conceptual ecological models

• Student-led case study presentations and discussions

• Field trips to local restoration sites

• Talks from local restoration practitioners

• Data collection and analysis

• Engagement in restoration process (site assessment, site preparation, planting, and/or monitoring)

Outcome Assessment Strategies: 

• Quizzes and/or reflections on weekly field and laboratory experiences.

• Case study presentations and discussions.

• Exams with short answer and essay questions.

• Presentations and/or papers on scientific papers, restoration approaches, and/or plants

• Reflection on restoration projects

Concepts: 

• Describe the history and motivation for environmental restoration.

• Describe and observe the stages in restoration processes (site assessment, diagnosis, goal-setting, site-preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation)

• Use models to help understand and communicate complex social and ecological interactions in degraded and restored ecosystems.

• Describe some of the social and institutional structures supporting restoration work.

• Describe and observe various approaches to restoration including modification of disturbance regimes, hydrology, land forms, soil and water quality, and interactions within biological communities.

Skills: 

• Read and analyze scientific papers

• Collect and analyze data

• Interpret landscape planting plans

• Identify common native and invasive plants

• Analyze vegetation community types (wetland, upland, riparian, prairie)

• Apply basic wetland delineation approaches (hydrology, soil and plant communities)

• Collaborate with peers and work effectively in groups

• Communicate effectively using oral presentations, poster presentation and/or written assignments