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ESRM 425 Ecosystem Management |
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Field Trips |
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Final version, September 4, 2007. This is as complete as it gets.
The entire course is a field trip. Background information is included below. Camping is required, and class participants must provide their own personal gear. If you do not have a particular item of gear, contact the Teaching Assistants or the Instructor well in advance, and we will try to make accommodations.
Health Issues This is a two week field trip, and we will be in the field the entire time. If you have any health issues, including allergy to bee stings, contact the teaching assistants prior to the class.
Food The class will be cooking communally. We will have available vegetarian and “with meat” food in proportions corresponding to people’s class survey responses. If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, contact the teaching assistants prior to class. Contact the teaching assistants with any food allergies. Note: While we will try to make accommodations, we cannot guarantee that we can meet every food preference in the context of a group camping trip.
Food to Bring Breakfast: foods that do not require cooking, or require only the addition of boiling water. We will be hitting the forest (or the road) early every morning, and class participants need to be able to eat their breakfast quickly and pack their gear. Individuals are responsible for all their own breakfast food.
Lunch: Most days we will not make an explicit stop for lunch. Therefore, lunches need to be portable: sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, dried fruit, etc. Individuals are responsible for their own lunch food.
We will stop several times to replenish food, but plan on maximizing food that does not need refrigeration. While we are in Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park, or Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, your food (and toiletries) must be well organized in a single food bag, and you are responsible for ensuring that your food bag goes into a bear canister when we stop.
Bring a minimal amount of electronic gear and be sure you have sufficient batteries. There will be few opportunities to charge batteries.
Do not bring climbing equipment. Although we will have a day off in Yosemite National Park, for safety reasons we ask that you do not climb.
General The most practical way to pack your gear for this trip is in a large duffel. A duffel is better than a large backpack because it fits in the van better and does not have straps and protrusions that tend to get caught on things. In addition to a large duffel, bring (1) a small daypack, and (2) a small but sturdy bag for all your individual food items, toiletries, medicines, or anything else that has an odor. When we are camping in “bear territory” (see required reading), it will be most convenient if you can toss your “food bag” into the bear box without having to root through your gear every day.
Required Individual Gear Sleeping Bag Sleeping Pad Flashlight or headlamp Waterproof parka or jacket Sturdy shoes or boots (no sandals except in camp) Warm layers (fleece, polypro) Extra socks (wool, polypro, etc) Note taking materials (Rite-in-the-rain notebook) Toiletries (those riding in my rig should plan on bringing deodorant) Bee sting kit (if you are allergic) An individual tent or a tent shared among participants: please begin to make arrangements with your classmates to share tents. Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (any or all): the Sierras can be baking hot in September, so bring sufficient sun protection Personal cooking and eating gear: cup, plate, knife, fork, spoon, etc. Small towel Cash
Optional Individual Gear Pillow Sandals (for camp use only) Camera Warm hat Field guides
Weather Weather in the Sierra Nevada in early September is usually superb, often verging on hot. However, rain is possible, and it does get chilly in the evenings and at nights at high elevation.
Course Fee The course fee mainly covers transportation. Should total expenses (e.g. food) exceed that covered by the course fee, students will be responsible for a pro rata share.
Rules No smoking in the UW vehicles No OSU students in the UW vehicles Absolutely no smoking in forests under any circumstances
Questions If you have any questions about these items, please contact the TAs well in advance |
