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Graduate and Teacher Training Opportunities
at the Audubon Center
2008
Spring & Summer Courses
Registration Information
Winter Ecology
SCED 7670-35020
At the Audubon Center of the North Woods:
Feb 1st – 3rd, 2008..........2 Credits..........$490
Understand the unique winter environment of the north country, where all life is judged by its ability to adapt to cold, snow, and limited sunlight.
Prepare with readings online. Then strap on the snowshoes and take off into the winter world. Look at tracks, plants, birds, landscapes, rivers, ice, and all the unique properties of the Minnesota winter.
NOTE: Lodging & meals included.
Target audience: educators, naturalists, environmental educators.
Course schedule Medical form (required)
Participant General Info Suggested packing list
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Phenology: the observation of natural phenomena
SCED 6149-35016
ONLINE:
March 15th – May 15th, 2008..........2 Credits..........$440
Observe and understand the relationship between a periodic biological phenomenon and climatic conditions.
Phenology is the study of how the sequences in nature (such as migration, blooming and reproduction) synchronize with the weather and rhythms of local climate. Study this process by recording your observations of first arrivals, first songs, first flowers and other natural phenomena while tracking weather both at your site and along the migratory routes. Then correlate weather and events with one another, and compare observations with historical data found on Minnesota's weather calendar. Teachers are encouraged to involve their classrooms, and naturalists to include their staff and clients.
NOTE: Please register one week prior to course start date to ensure receipt of any information that may be sent. Online course and login information at www.hamline.edu/gseonline.
Target audience: educators, naturalists, environmental educators.
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Minnesota Forest Ecology
SCED 7671-35021
At the Audubon Center of the North Woods
Mar 14-16, 2008..........2 Credits..........$490
Minnesota is known for its forests, and with good reason: it is the confluence of two major forest biomes, the deciduous and coniferous.
Learn what makes a tree, how to identify different species, the natural and human history of Minnesota's diverse forest communities, forest management, and animal and human forest use. The forests we see today are the results of many decisions - by humans and other animals, whether to cut, whether to eat. One goal of the course is to understand what we see, based on the history of diverse actions and plan our management on the basis of many options. Our field days will coincide with maple syruping season at the Audubon Center; learn about the process and participate in the selection and tapping of trees and collecting and cooking sap (nature willing). Practice tree identification skills and view actual forest management.
NOTE: Lodging & meals included.
Target audience: educators, interpreters K-12.
Weekend schedule
Medical form (required) Participant General Info Suggested packing list
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Reading the Landscape
SCED 7679-35022
At the Audubon Center of the North Woods
April 11th – 13th, 2008..........2 Credits..........$490
Become a better observer and interpreter as you tell the story of the land.
If you've read Sherlock Holmes, you know that a master detective picks up the subtle clue as well as the obvious to solve, or rather interpret, a crime. Learn to weave the clues of the landscape into coherent stories. See how these skills can be applied universally, and how to impart them to your students.
NOTE: Lodging & meals included.
Target audience: educators, naturalists, environmental educators.
Medical form (required) Participant General Info Suggested packing list
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Spring Flora
SCED 7685-35023
At the Audubon Center of the North Woods
May 16th -18th, 2008..........2 Credits..........$490
After a white or brown, cold and dark winter period, we all crave the beautiful color of spring flowers.
Wander to a variety of plant communities, identify species, look at adaptations, and explore the diversity of plants and natural communities. Look closely at each bloom, and learn how to identify the flowers in your area. In this hands-on course, witness the birds singing in the trees, flowers blooming on the ground, and be enriched by life around us.
NOTE: Lodging and meals included.
Target audience: educators, naturalists, environmental educators.
Medical form (required) Participant General Info
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Birds & Habitat: Birding festival
SCED 7602-51197
At the Audubon Center of the North Woods
June 6-8, 2008..........2 credits..........$510
Enrollment limit: 25.
Birding at its best at the Audubon Center of the North Woods.
Birds and Habitat is a course held in conjunction with the Audubon Center’s annual birding festival. During the weekend students explore the varied habitats of Pine County with expert birders, listen to lectures by some of the most prominent researchers and authors in birding, and immerse in an exploration of avian diversity. Pine County is the convergence of the deciduous, coniferous, and prairie biomes and the varied natural communities lead to wonderful variations in breeding birds. Hear songs, see nesting territories, and learn to identify territory and habitat.
Note: Cost includes meals and lodging.
Instructor: Mike Link.
Target audience: educators K–12.
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Mammals of the Badlands
SCED 7027-51210
June 22-28, 2008..........3 credits..........$1,290
Enrollment limit: 12.
Bison, prairie dogs, tall grass prairies and a multicolored landscape—what a setting for learning!
Spend five days exploring the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Learn to use a variety of sampling methods, ethograms, mapping, prediction and observation while studying bison, prairie dogs, and other mammals. Participate in breeding bird and vegetation surveys and learn about the geology of the area. Build skills in research and inquiry that will enhance your natural history knowledge.
NOTE: Lodging and most meals included. Meet at the Badlands, or contact Audubon Center of the North Woods, 888-404-7743 for transportation at an additional fee.
Instructor: Mike Link, founding director of the Audubon Center of the
North Woods, has taught field courses since 1974. He is author of an environmental education textbook and 20 books on travel and natural history.
Target audience: teachers K–12, naturalists, environmental educators.
Medical form (required) Participant General Info
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Boundary Waters Field Studies
SCED 7023-51264
July 21-25, 2008..........3 credits...........$1,100
Enrollment limit: 7. Location TBA.
Sample Minnesota’s great wilderness firsthand.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is unique. It is also one of the most important wilderness areas in the world.Canoe, portage, and camp in the wilderness and examine geology, wildlife, and plant communities. Interpret maps, study fire ecology, and learn of the battles, initiatives, and challenges of creating and managing the BWCA wilderness.
Note: Cost includes lodging and most meals.
Instructor: Audubon Center naturalists Jaime Souza & Bryan Wood.
Target audience: educators K–12, naturalists, environmental educators.
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Ecological Systems: Biomes
NSEE 8200-51064
July 28-Aug 1, 2008..........3 credits...........
Enrollment limit: 25. Location off-site.
The concept of systems is essential to understanding ecological principles; nothing demonstrates this better than the biomes of Minnesota.
Each of Minnesota's biomes (prairie, deciduous forest, boreal forest) is an interplay of large geologic, biologic, cultural, and meteorological systems. Within each broad system is a subset of systems recognized as plant communities. Experience hands-on, wet-feet camping, sampling, identifying, and observing, travel and reflection, story-sharing, and science knowledge. Discover applications for your own classroom.
NOTE: This is a core course of the MAEd:NSEE. Students not admitted to a Hamline degree program may take this course following application for Adult Special status through Graduate Admissions, providing space is available. For information, call 651-523-2900 or visit www.hamline.edu/graduate/index.html. Please register one week prior to course start date. Target audience: educators, naturalists, environmental educators.
Cost: Tuition plus $382 for lodging and meals.
Instructor: Mike Link, Larry Weber and Wayne Pikal
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