Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice: Application to Land Management

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Note: This is NOT a UMass course offering; it is offered privately by Dr. McGarigal

This shortcourse is offered privately by Dr. McGarigal; it provides an introduction to the field of landscape ecology with an emphasis on its application to land management. The shortcourse combines lectures on the key principles of landscape ecology with computer lab projects to designed provide hands-on practical experience using state-of-the-art landscape analysis tools. This shortcourse is designed specially for professional land managers (e.g., US Forest Service, US Bureau of Land Management, and US Bureau of Indian Affairs) and is offered once or twice each year contingent upon enrollment.

All shortcourses are being offered and administered by Landeco Consulting, Dr. Kevin McGarigal sole propeitor (and professor, University of Massachusetts), in collaboration with Dr. Sam Cushman (Research Scientist, US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station) and a host of other instructors. Previous regular instructors have included the following:

• Dr. Kimberly With, Kansa Statue University, Manhattan, KS
• Dr. Eric Gustafson, US Forest Service, North Central Research Station, Rhinelander, WI
• Dr. Robert Keane, US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT
• Dr. Jerremy Littell, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
• Dr. Michael Schwartz, US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula MT
• Dr. Richard Hofstetter, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
• Dr. Mark Finney, US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT
  

To learn more about the shortcourse content, including a tentative class schedule, click on the following link [learn more]

The shortcourse is held at Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Flagstaff, Arizona, in the Forest Science Complex(see NAU campus map).

When is the next shortcourse offering?

The next scheduled shortcourses are as follows:

• NASP course --This shortcourse is restricted to persons enrolled in the National Advanced Silviculture Program. The next offering is:
  • Shortcourse dates: January 7-15, 2013
• Open course -- This shortcourse is open to everyone and is contingent upon a minimum enrollment of 20 individuals; it is offered every other year. The next offering is:
  • Shortcourse dates: May 13-24, 2013
  • Pre-registration due: February 28, 2013

Registration is required before the due dates listed above. Shortcourse enrollment is limited to 35, with a minimum enrollment of 20. In the event that the minimum enrollment is not achieved before the due dates listed above, the shortcourse will be cancelled and all received funds will be returned.

To register for an upcoming shortcourse, click on the appropriate link below:

• NASP course registration -- this shortcourse is restricted to persons enrolled in the National Advanced Silviculture Program.
• Open course registration -- this shortcourse is open to everyone and is contingent upon a minimum enrollment of 20 individuals.

Travel to and from the shortcourse

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. If you are flying, all of the major hotels, including the those with block reservations (see below), offer a free airport shuttle service. Check with your hotel to arrange for a shuttle from the airport. If you are driving, directions to Northern Arizona University Campus are available at the following links:

• NAU driving directions to campus
• Google Map directions to campus

Food and lodging during the shortcourse

Particpants are responsible for making their own arrangements for lodging and food during the shortcourse; however, snacks and drinks (including coffee, tea, juice, and soda) will be provided during all morning and afternoon sessions. There are many options for lodging in Flagstaff in close proximity to Northern Arizona University. For convenience, a block of rooms has been reserved at the following modest hotel within a short walking distance (< 1 mile) from the teaching facility, at the discounted rate of $69.95/night for the period of the course:

• Comfort Inn I-17 & I-40

Important, to reserve a room at the discounted rate, reference the group name "Landscape Ecology" followed by the corresponding month. For example, the upcoming May shortcourse would be under the group name "Landscape Ecology May".

Note, the block of rooms is being held up until 2 weeks prior to the shortcourse. After that time, there is no guarantee of a room being available at these hotels or at the discounted price.

Walking directions to the NAU Forest Science Complex -- From either of the hotels above, turn right (south) on South Beulah Blvd; take the first left (east) on McConnell Drive; pass under the highway and take first right on Pine Knoll Drive; follow up the hill past one minor intersection and a bend in the road (approximately 1/4 mile), the Forest Science Complex is the large building on the left. The total distance is approximately 1/2 mile.

There are numerous restaurants within a short walk of the hotels and teaching facility.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Kevin McGarigal
Department of Environmental Conservation
University of Massachusetts
304 Holdsworth Natural Resources Center
Box 34210, Amherst, MA 01003
Fax: (413) 545-4358; Phone: (413) 577-0655
Email: mcgarigalk@eco.umass.edu