Science and Our Place on the Planet: Winter Natural History

Don’t let the cold temperatures and long nights fool you—our Pacific Northwest environment is full of life even in winter. In this course we examine firsthand how the plants, animals, and other biodiversity of our region persists and thrives during the winter months. Our approach to learning will center on natural history: the observation and study of living organisms in nature, their evolutionary and ecological relationships, and the environments they inhabit. Our field explorations will take us from seashores to snowfields as we investigate the diverse ecological communities and habitats present during winter in western Washington. Among other things, we will learn how plants and animals in the North Cascades handle one of the world’s largest annual snowpacks; why the Skagit Delta is a mecca for wintering migratory birds; and how it is possible to grow and harvest a Northwest vegetable garden all year long. We also will draw on our natural history studies to assess key environmental issues facing our region, including the conservation of biological diversity, climate change, the restoration of healthy ecosystems, and the sustainable management of natural resources.