Natural Resources

This course focuses on New Hampshire’s natural resources and the relationship between healthy ecosystems and healthy communities. Specialists from the field will engage students to focus on particular aspects of NH’s natural resources and history. The course emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning in both outdoor and classroom settings and offers techniques for applying scientific and horticultural skills in real-world service-learning projects. Students will gain an understanding of stewardship from awareness to activism, across topics that include native plant identification, ecological landscaping, sustainable living, NH’s wildlife and their habitats. They will also acquire skills in presentation, public outreach and local government access.

This course emphasizes the importance of comprehending the current global food system as a way to make a positive impact on our local food production here in New Hampshire. Students will learn the fundamentals of organic, sustainable agriculture techniques while contrasting them with large-scale conventional farming practices. Classroom discussions in small groups, student-initiated research projects and presentations will occur weekly. Field trips to local farms will be conducted later in the season.

This course explores the impacts of technology and human activity on our environment and natural resources. Key conservation issues are used as examples of past and present biological, social, and environmental conflicts. Each week we will explore a range of themes that help you analyze and interpret the work of local leaders and their organizations. The ultimate goal of the course experience is to help you explore your own leadership style and chart out a professional course for your future work academic and professional. Students will work collaboratively on a current environmental problem. Tasks will include characterizing the problem, analyzing possible solutions and publicly presenting the results.