Ecological Problem Solving Field Study Program
This is an intensive 3-week course that will involve traveling across the state of Georgia. Each day will be a different, consisting of some combination of field excursions, lectures and discussions. Many of the speakers with whom you will interact will be leaders in the fields of ecology, environmental policy, and sustainability.
Course Objectives:
- Become familiar with physiographic regions of Georgia and their associated biodiversity and endemic species
- Understand the impact of human activities on environmental quality in a regional context and the major environmental challenges faced by each region (focusing on water quality and availability, loss of biodiversity, energy sustainability, climate change)
- Learn sustainability practices and environmental problem-solving strategies, including laws and policies, implemented by innovators in the corporate, governmental, and NGO sectors and understand what motivated these actions
- Explore career opportunities in sustainability and natural resource management
Program Location
Southface Energy Institute, Georgia Office of Resilience, Southern Environmental Law Center, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Truly Living Well Urban Farm, Clayton Wetlands, Athens Land Trust, Jones Center for Ecological Research, Albany State University Water Planning and Policy Center, UGA Stripling Irrigation Research Park, Little Ocmulgee State Park, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Sapelo Island, Tybee Island, Oconee River Land Trust, Fort Mountain State Park, Cloudland Canyon State Park
Program Director and Course Leaders
Jasmine Crumsey Forde, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Program Coordinator & Lecturer
Odum School of Ecology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
jcrumsey@uga.edu
Amanda Rugenski
Odum School of Ecology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
atrugenski@uga.edu
Carrie Keogh
Odum School of Ecology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
ckeogh@emory.edu
Academic Program
ECOL 3300: Field Course in Environmental Problem Solving (4 credit hours)
Format: This is an intensive 3-week course that will involve traveling across the state of Georgia. Each day will be a different, consisting of some combination of field excursions, lectures and discussions. Many of the speakers with whom you will interact will be leaders in the fields of ecology, environmental policy, and sustainability.
Assignments and readings will be due at various times throughout the class. Student teams will be in charge of giving periodic re-caps of important topics covered during guest lectures and field excursions. Discussions, field activities, and lectures may also take place during evenings and early mornings.
Housing and Meals
Accommodations: Emory Conference Center Hotel, UGA Marine Institute, Fort Mountain State Parks, Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge, Local Hotels. Breakfast included in accommodations where possible. Most other meals are the responsibility of the student. Time will be made for grocery shopping in the course schedule.
Program Itinerary
Week 1:
- Southface Energy Institute, Office of Resilience, Southern Environmental Law Center, Emory University, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Truly Living Well Urban Farm, Clayton Wetlands
- Introductory lectures: welcome, GA ecosystems, environmental policy, course project topics discussion, field lectures, guest lectures, service activities
Week 2:
- Athens Land Trust, Jones Center for Ecological Research, Albany State University Water Planning and Policy Center, UGA Stripling Irrigation Research Park, Little Ocmulgee State Park,Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Sapelo Island, Tybee Island
- Guest lectures, field visits, group reflections, Graphical abstract science communication project, peer review, group discussions and projects
Week 3:
- Oconee River Land Trust, Fort Mountain State Park, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Odum School of Ecology
- Lectures, site visits, group presentations, course wrap-up
