Course Syllabus

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2022 Syllabus – Click for a printable PDF version of the course syllabus.

Our Mission:

To cultivate awareness, understanding, and Stewardship of the Wenatchee River region by Developing an active corps of well-informed Community volunteers.

 After completing the course, you will be able to…

Goal I: Foundational Knowledge

  • … describe the role geology plays in the Wenatchee River watershed.
  • … locate rivers, mountain ranges, and lakes within the Wenatchee River watershed.
  • … identify the basic organization and components of a plant and be able to describe characteristics of 8 or more plant families.
  • … identify the parts of an insect and the basic structure of several insect orders.
  • … understand basic anatomy, physiology, and topography of birds.
  • … describe the characteristics of native mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
  • … describe the components of shrub-steppe, montane, and riparian ecosystems.
  • … identify 100 common plant and animal species by name, including trees, shrubs, wildflowers, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

 Goal II: Field ID Skills

  • … be comfortable using field guides and dichotomous keys to make identifications.
  • … identify conifers of the Eastside Cascade Mountains.
  • … identify common shrubs based on physical features.
  • … classify common wildflowers to the family level.
  • … identify common Washington birds by sight.
  • … identify common Washington mammals, reptiles, and amphibians by their physical features.
  • … identify common Washington insect orders.

Goal III: Field Journaling Skills

  • … maintain a record of observations in a field journal.
  • … use field sketching and note-taking to sharpen observation skills.

Goal III: Sense of Place Practices

  • … spend time in the close investigation of local field sites.
  • … volunteer with a local organization doing conservation work.
  • … connect the knowledge, skill, and experience gained to the local landscape.

Suggested orientation to prepare for the 12-week course

 

Heads up: you’ll be using a class websitehttps://www.wenatcheenaturalist.com/

For each week of class, the focus topic can be found under TOPICS/RESOURCES.  Each week’s topic contains resources to supplement the in-class presentations and activities.   Prior to each class, you will receive an email containing the syllabus’ suggested pre-work options, with clickable internet links.

Prior to our first class, review a few background resources included on the Wenatchee Naturalist website, TOPICS/RESOURCES Tab, specifically: 

Eastside Ecosystems Overview at https://www.wenatcheenaturalist.com/east-side-ecosystems/

Field Observation Skills at https://www.wenatcheenaturalist.com/east-side-ecosystems/field-observation-skills/

 

Suggested note-taking method:  You will be provided with a field journal at our first class

  • I suggest taking all class and field notes directly into your journal (provided at class), creating a portable reference you’ll have with you when you do your field observations.
  • An option is to bring your laptop or tablet to class and follow along electronically.

Select a field site to visit weekly for 30+ minutes. Try to visit this site before week 2.

Prepare to briefly “introduce” your potential field site to others at our first meeting.  A detailed field site selection instructions is  here.

 

Supplies to bring weekly to use in class and in the field: 

  • Writing pen and pencil
  • Drawing Pen: waterproof, fade proof, acid free, black, micro point (NOTE: pens will be “for sale” at class)
  • Loaned hand lens
  • Optional: colored pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolor paints.  You will see examples at Class #1
  • Digital camera, tablet, or smart phone

Logistics:

  1. How to find our classroom.  The room Click here for a campus map.  The actual classroom number will be provided to you upon registration.
  2. Food and drinks:  We will have a refreshments table in the hall with hot drinks and light snacks.  Feel free to bring a sack dinner.
  3. Parking. WVC parking lots are patrolled at night and tickets are issued if you don’t have a parking pass.  Free parallel street parking is available on 9th Street. Consider purchasing a fall evening parking pass ($15; or $5 if over 60 years), available on the main floor of Wenatchi Hall at the Registrar. Detailed information here.

 

Sept. 21, 2022  Week  1:  Wenatchee River Watershed overview

5:30-6:00    Students gather, settle in, and review resource table

6:00-6:20:   Welcome and Introduction to the course format and logistics

6:20-6:30    In small groups, introduce one-another and share your idea for a field site

6:30-7:00    Geography of the Wenatchee watershed – rotation lab activity

7:00-7:10    Break

7:10-7:30    Introduction to Wenatchee Watershed Ecosystems

7:30-8:15    Lab using fresh samples: Common Shrubs and Deciduous Trees Part 1

8:15-8:30    Learn 10*  Species 11-20   Practice using the website’s LEARN 10 TAB

*Learn 10 – Each week, 10 images of native plants and animals will be shown in rapid progression as class members first write and then call out the species name. The website’s LEARN 10 TAB contains all 100 focus species for the class. Additional ways to practice at home include using an on-line flashcard games at Quizlet.

Field site journaling focus for the coming week: Hand-draw a map of your site placing North at the top of your page. Record the elevation of lowest and highest point (use Google maps). Label each habitat type and all water bodies. Draw your walking route and label any points where you plan to stop to make observations. Record the distance traveled. Include structures and roads.

Suggested Reading prior to class       if you only have time to look at one item, do BOLDED

Review Wenatchee Naturalist website TOPICS/RESOURCES : Deciduous Shrubs and Trees TAB Including:

  • Articles by Susan Ballinger about shrub identification &the importance of our shrubby canyons as habitat
  • Gestures of Stone and Water: A Natural History of the Wenatchee Watershed, by Tim McNulty. Pg. 31-36, Images of the Watershed (2002). (LOANED BOOK)
  • Cascade-Olympic Natural History: A Trailside Reference (2nd edition, 1999), by Daniel Mathews. Read Chapter 1, Chapter 16, and Appendix “Five-Kingdom Taxonomy.” (LOANED BOOK)
  • Washington Wildlife by Woodland Park Zoo (61 pages). Use this as general background reading throughout the course. Find this document both in hardcopy (LOANED BOOKLET) and linked on Wenatchee Naturalist website. (CLASS WEBSITE)
  • Field Guide: Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia and the Inland Northwest, edited by Roberta Parish, Ray Coupe, and Dennis Lloyd (1996). Skim introduction, focus on habitat descriptions. (LOANED BOOK)

Sept. 28, 2022 Week 2: Field Observation Skills Development       

Guest Wildlife Biologist and Artist:  Heather A. Wallis Murphy

5:30-6:00    Students gather and review resource table; journal-sharing with one-another and Susan

6:00-6:10    Featured conservation organization: TBA

6:15-7:15    Nature Journaling Drawing workshop

7:15-7:25    Break

7:25-8:20    Field Journaling Drawing workshop, continued

8:20-8:30    Learn 10! Species 1-10* The website’s LEARN 10 TAB

Your Field Site journaling focus for the coming week:  Observe, draw, and describe several plants or animals, practicing methods Heather Murphy introduces in her Field Observation Techniques booklet.

Sketch several shrub species leaves and add field notes to your drawing.

Suggested Reading prior to class:    If you only have time to look at one item, do BOLDED

Review Wenatchee Naturalist website TOPICS/RESOURCES : Riparian, Wetland, and Aquatic Ecosystems

An article about riparian habitats by Susan Ballinger, Neotropical Migrants Raising Their Young in Our Canyons

An article about the fun of exploring local river riparian habitats by Susan Ballinger,  Head to the River for Fun in the Mud!

 Loaner box suggested reading:

  • At Home with Wetlands: A Landowners Guide by WA Department of Ecology. An approachable and well-written overview of wetland types, values, and human issues. (LOANED BOOK)
  • Washington Wildlife by Woodland Park Zoo, Wetland Habitats (pg. 41-51). (LOANED BOOKLET & Website)
  • Cascade-Olympic Natural History: A Trailside Reference by Daniel Mathews. Skim Chapter 3 to see what a native fish identification field guide is like. (LOANED BOOK)

Oct. 5, 2022 Week 3:  Riparian & Aquatic Ecosystems 

5:30-6:00    Students gather and review resource table; journal-sharing with one-another and Susan

6:00-6:10    Featured conservation organization: Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, Elisa Lopez, Admin. Coordinator

6:10-6:15    Quick review of last week and overview of today’s class

6:15-7:00    Ecological tour of Stormy Preserve, our field trip destination

7:00-7:15    break and field trip carpool sign up

7:15-8:15    Lab using fresh samples: Common Shrubs and Deciduous Trees Part 2

8:15-8:30    Learn 10!  Species 1-30 Practice using the web site’s LEARN 10 TAB

Your Field Site journaling focus for the coming week: Observe, draw, and describe 2-3 deciduous trees or shrubs. Include details of each shrub’s habitat, oversize & shape and bark. Describe any evidence of disease or evidence of feeding by an animal.

Sat. Oct. 8, 2022    Field Trip 1:  Entiat River Riparian Exploration                   

Logistics letter provided in class, via email, and on website

Guest scientist leader: Jen Herdmann, Fisheries Biologist

Featured organizations:  Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center, Cascade Fisheries

Suggested Reading prior to class:    If you only have time to look at one item, do BOLDED

Review Wenatchee Naturalist website TOPICS/RESOURCES : Conifers

  • Cascade-Olympic Natural History: A Trailside Reference by Daniel Mathews. Skim Chapter 3 to see what a native conifer identification field guide is like. (LOANED BOOK)
  • View locally-produced DVD  “The Dry Forest: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest” (LOANED DVD)
  • View locally-produced DVD  “Fire Lookouts-A National Treasure” (LOANED DVD)
  • How A Tree Grows, USFS FS-32 an illustrated guide to tree structures & functions. (LOANED BOOKLET)

Oct. 12, 2022 Week 4: Conifers                   

5:30-6:00    Students gather and review resource table; journal-sharing with one-another and Susan

6:00-6:10    Featured conservation organization:  TBA

6:10-6:15    Quick review of last week and overview of today’s class

6:15-7:00    Eastside Cascade Conifers – Presentation Susan Ballinger.

7:00-8:20    Learn 10 conifers:  a lab using cones, needles, bark, photos, field guides and a key, including 2-minute journal skills practice.

8:20-8:30    Learn 10! Species 1-20 Practice using the website’s LEARN 10 TAB

Your Field Site journaling focus for the coming week: Observe, draw, and describe 2-3 conifer trees.  Include details of each tree’s habitat, oversize & shape and bark. Describe any evidence of disease or evidence of feeding by an animal, or of injury from wildfire.

Suggested Reading prior to class:    If you only have time to look at one item, do BOLDED

Review Wenatchee Naturalist website TOPICS/RESOURCES : INSECTS: Terrestrial and Aquatic , including:

  • Cascade-Olympic Natural History: A Trailside Reference by Daniel Mathews. Skim Chapter 13 to see an example of what insect field identification guides are like. (LOANED BOOK)

 

Oct. 19, 2022 Week 5: Terrestrial Insects                

Guest Entomologist, Dr. Robert Orpet , WSU Post-Doc Researcher

5:30-6:00    Students gather and review resource table; journal-sharing with one-another and Susan

6:00-6:10    Featured conservation organization: Xerces Society

6:10-6:15    Quick review of last week and overview of today’s class

6:15-7:00    Introduction to Shrub-steppe Insect Biodiversity PowerPoint by James Hepler

7:00-7:10    Break

7:10-8:20    Insect lab journaling activity- ok to bring your camera.  Will include 2-minute journal skills            practice.  Discussion about current  insect conservation issues with James Hepler.

8:20-8:30    Learn 10! Species 1-40   Practice using the website’s LEARN 10 TAB

Your Field Site journaling focus for the coming week:  For 1-3 insects, observe, draw, and record observed behavior, habitat, and population levels. Attempt to classify into an insect Order, using class notes. It is ok to take a collecting container to your site and to temporarily capture an insect in order to better observe it in the field, and then release it on site. NOTE: we’ll be doing this together as part of the Oct. 22nd field trip.

Sat. Oct. 22, 2022  Field Trip 2:  White River riparian exploration

Logistics letter provided in class, via email, and on website

Guest scientist/artist field trip leader:  Heather A. Wallis Murphy

Featured organizations: Tall Timber’s Conservation Easement with CDLT

Community Science Projects:  Upper Basin Birders & eBird

Suggested Reading prior to class:    If you only have time to look at one item, do BOLDED

Review Wenatchee Naturalist website TOPICS/RESOURCESMammals

 Cascade-Olympic Natural History: A Trailside Reference by Daniel Mathews. Skim Chapter 8 to see what a native mammal identification field guide is like. (LOANED BOOK)

Cascade-Olympic Natural History: A Trailside Reference by Daniel Mathews. Skim Chpt. 2. (LOANED BOOK)

Woodland Park Zoo Teacher Resources  PowerPoint Mammal Diversity   Overview of mammal characteristics.

 

Oct. 26, 2022 Week 6:  Mammals  Meet in Wenatchi Hall, 3rd floor, room 2305

Guest Speaker, Emily Jeffeys, WDFW District Wildlife Biologist- Wenatchee      

5:30-6:00    Students gather and review resource table;  journal-sharing  with one-another and Susan

NOTE:  no food or drink allowed in the study skin lab.

6:00-6:05    Quick review of last week and overview of today’s class

6:05-7:00    Introduction of Chelan County mammals.  Explore 20 of the “Learn 10” mammals and create your own field guide notes by exploring the skulls, study skins, and illustrated lab guides. Guided questions provided.

7:00-7:15    Break

7:15-8:00    Overview of Mammals of Wenatchee Watershed by Emily Jefferies

8:00-8:20    Continue Exploring 20 of the “Learn 10” mammals and create your own field guide notes by exploring the skulls, study skins, and illustrated lab guides. Guided questions provided.

8:20-8:30    Learn 10!   Species 1-50 Practice using the website’s LEARN 10 TAB

Your field site journaling focus for the coming week:  Seek out and describe signs of mammal presence. Can include evidence of herbivory or predation, tracks, scat, habitat for cover, or presence of food resources.

Suggested Reading prior to class:    If you only have time to look at one item, do BOLDED    

Review Wenatchee Naturalist website TOPICS/RESOURCES: Geology  and  Shrub-steppe Ecosystems

2-minute geologyhttp://hugefloods.com/2-Minute-Geology.html  CWU geology professor, Nick Zinter, has created a 12-part series of in-the-field 2-minute geology videos. Start with the “Wenatchee Valley” and view them all!

Article by Susan Ballinger, Shrub-steppe Plant Adaptations,

Article by Susan Ballinger, Wildfires Affect on Local Landscape.

Article by Susan Ballinger, In Appreciation of Sagebrush

Article by Susan Ballinger:  The Amazing Tale of Sagebrush galls.

 Loaner Box suggested reading:

ü  Washington Watchable Wildflowers:  A Columbia Basin Guide by B.L.M. (pg. 5-14). (LOANED BOOK, also PDF on CLASS WEBSITE)

·    Cascade-Olympic Natural History: A Trailside Reference by Daniel Mathews. Skim Chapter 15 to see what a geology field guide is like. (LOANED BOOK)

·    Washington Wildlife by Woodland Park Zoo, Steppe Habitats (pg. 3-8). Use this as general background reading, providing a big picture overview. (LOANDED BOOKLET and WEBSITE)

·    NOXIOUS WEEDS booklet & WEED INVASION!  USFS Newspaper (LOANED ) Colorful introductions to our local noxious weeds

 

Nov. 2, 2022 Week 7:  Geology and Shrub-steppe

Guest Geologist: Brent Cunderla

5:30-6:00    Students gather and review resource table;  journal-sharing  with one-another and Susan

6:00-6:10    Featured conservation organization: Ice Age Floods Institute, Erratics Chapter

6:10-7:00    Overview of Geology of the Wenatchee Watershed presentation

7:00-7:10    Break

7:10-8:00    Introduction to shrub-steppe ecosystems presentation

8:00-8:20    Hands-on activity: Meet our common shrub-steppe shrubs using Herbarium sheets

8:20-8:30    Learn 10!   Species 1-60 Practice using the website’s LEARN 10 TAB

Your Field Site journaling focus for the coming week:  Draw a geologic feature visible at your site.  Describe the soil texture, color, and depth.  Describe three dominant plants at your site, and sketch their growth forms.

Sat. Nov. 5, 2022 Field Trip 3: Wenatchee River Valley exploration                

Logistics letter provided in class, via email, and on website

Guest geologist field trip leader:  Brent Cunderla

Featured Organizations:  Wenatchee River Institute

Community Science Projects:  CDLT ebird routes

Suggested Reading prior to class:    If you only have time to look at one item, do BOLDED                          Review Wenatchee Naturalist website TOPICS/RESOURCES :  Reptiles & Amphibians, including:

Loaner Box suggested readings:

  • Washington Wildlife by Woodland Park Zoo, Amphibians & Reptiles (pg. 9, 19-20, 48-49). Use this as general background reading, providing a big picture overview. (LOANED BOOKLET &link on WEBSITE)
  • Cascade-Olympic Natural History: A Trailside Reference by Daniel Mathews. Skim Chapters 10-11 to see what a native reptiles and amphibian identification field guide is like. (LOANED BOOK)

Nov. 9, 2022 Week 8:   Reptiles & Amphibians  Meet in Wenatchi Hall, 3rd floor, room 2305  

Guest Herpetologist, Toe Watkins

5:30-6:00    Students gather and review resource table;  journal-sharing  with one-another and Susan

6:00-6:10    Featured conservation organization:  TBA

6:10-6:15    Quick review of last week and overview of today’s class

6:15-7:05    Reptile and Amphibians of the Eastside Cascade Mountains: biodiversity and conservation concerns- guest herpetologist and Wenatchee High School student, Toe Watkins.

7:05-7:10    break

7:10-7:30    Lab activity: Field Journaling Drawing Techniques applied practice

7:30-8:10    Using a key and field guides to identify reptiles & amphibians. Rotation stations set up with specimens, photos, field guides, a species list, and guiding questions. Will include 2-minute skills practice activity.

8:10-8:20    Small group sharing: personal field site visit reports

8:20-8:30    Learn 10!  Species 1-70 Practice using the website’s LEARN 10 TAB

Your field site journaling focus for the coming week: Seek out and describe a potential habitat and possible food item for either a reptile or an amphibian.

Suggested Reading prior to class:    If you only have time to look at one item, do BOLDED

Review Wenatchee Naturalist website TOPICS/RESOURCES : Wildflowers & Grasses

  • Articles by Susan Ballinger presenting wildflower identification tools, books and local learning resources, Wildflower Identificationand Wildflower Resources.
  • A great easy-to-use approach to learning the key characteristics for 8 common wildflower plant families: mustard, mint, parsley, pea, lily, mallow, and aster. We’ll use these playing cards in class Learning to Identify Plants by Family  text and illustrations, or a 45-minute video tutorial to the Patterns Method with the Botany in a Day author Thomas Elpel (INTERNET)
  • Cascade-Olympic Natural History: A Trailside Reference by Daniel Mathews. Skim Chapter 4 to see what a native wildflower identification field guide is like. (LOANED BOOK)
  • A Botanical Primer: A Systematic Introduction to Vascular Plant Identification by Joseph Arnett.  Read pages 2-12 and 21-23. (LOANED BOOK)
  • Field Guide: Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia and the Inland Northwest , edited by Roberta Parish, Ray Coupe, and Dennis Lloyd (1996). (LOANED  BOOK)
  • A Key to the Common Flowering Plant Families of the Methow by Dana Visalli. (CLASS WEBSITE)   
  • Woodland Park Zoo Teacher Resources PowerPoint Plant Basics. http://www.zoo.org/page.aspx?pid=1798.  Prepared for adult learners. Overview of plant  structures and functions. (INTERNET)

 

Nov. 16, 2019 Week 9:  Wildflowers 

Guest botanist, Chelan County Noxious Weed Control Board Coordinator                                         

5:30-6:00    Students gather and review resource table; journal-sharing with one-another and Susan

6:00-6:05    Quick review of last week and overview of today’s class

6:05-6:25    Why care about weeds?  Presentation

6:25-7:00    Introduction Lecture & Lab:  Characteristics of a flower with dissections, common plant families and methods of species identification.

7:00-7:10    10-minute break

7:10-8:20    Lecture & Lab Exploring plant parts and features of 8 plant families, including 2-minute journal skills practice activity.  We’ll be using playing cards!

8:20-8:30    Learn 10!  Species 1- 100 practice for final game next week using the website’s LEARN 10 TAB

Your field site journaling focus for the coming week:  Become a forensic botanist, looking for dead parts of wildflowers and grasses, and try and determine what plant it might be.  Seek out evidence of long-lived perennials, currently dormant above ground, at your site.

No Class during Thanksgiving Week!

Suggested Reading prior to class:    If you only have time to look at one item, do BOLDED                        

  • Birds of Yakima River Canyon, Wenatchee Resource Area, BLM as an introduction to the diversity of birds found in the Wenatchee Watershed. (LOANED BOOK)

 

Nov. 30, 2022 Week 10:  Birds Part 1     

5:30-6:00    Students gather and review resource table; journal-sharing  with one-another and Susan

6:00-6:10    Featured conservation organization:  Wenatchee Valley Chapter, WA Native Plant Society

6:10-6:15    Quick review of last week and overview of today’s class

6:15-7:00    Combined lecture and activities- Introduction to Bird Identification

7:00-7:10    break

7:10-8:20    Rotation lab:  Practice apply skills using field guides and life-sized model birds

8:20-8:30    Learn 10!  Species 1-80 Practice using the website’s LEARN 10 TAB   

Your field site journaling focus for the coming week: Observe and describe 1-3 birds using your field site.  Describe the behavior, location, and physical features of each bird. Use a drawing technique to sketch one bird.

Sat. Dec. 3. 2022  Half-day Field Trip 4: Winter birding along the Columbia River 

Featured Organizations:  NCWAS

Community Science ProjectsNCWAS Community Science Projects

 

 

Suggested Reading prior to class:    If you only have time to look at one item, do BOLDED

Review Wenatchee Naturalist website TOPICS/RESOURCES : Birds

  • Read the Introduction in Sibley’s Field Guide to Western Birds or the Introduction in Birds of the Inland Northwest (LOANED BOOK)
  • Download free from Apple and Android app store- Merlin Bird ID app http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
  • Washington Wildlife by Woodland Park Zoo, Birds (pg. 10-11; 20, 34-35, 49-50). Use this as general background reading, providing a big picture overview. (Website and Loaner Box)

Dec. 7, 2022 Week 11:  Birds Part 2   Meet in Wenatchi Hall, 3rd floor, room 2305  

5:30-6:00    Students gather and review resource table; journal-sharing with one-another and Susan

6:00-6:10    Featured conservation organization:   North Central Washington Audubon Society

6:10-6:15    Quick review of last week and overview of today’s class

6:15-6:30    Introduction to bird biology Presentation

6:30-7:00    Bird study skin rotation lab, focusing on our 20 “Learn 10” species, using specimens, notes, and handouts. Guiding questions at each lab station invite students to make measurements and take notes. At each station, pairs of study skins and an accompanying key ID tip sheet will guide student inquiry.

7:00-7:15    5-minute small group field site journal share, then break.

7:15-8:20    Continued:  Field Journaling Drawing Techniques applied practice Study skin rotation lab with guided field notes.

8:20-8:30    Learn 10! Species 1-90 Practice using the website’s LEARN 10 TAB

Your Field Site journaling focus for the coming week:  Quickly draw 1-3 birds, using the blind contour drawing technique.  Take descriptive notes on body shape, color pattern, beak and head shape, behavior, and use of habitat elements.

Your Field Site journaling focus for the coming week: Prepare your presentation!

Dec. 14, 2022 Week 12: Next steps: Being a Wenatchee Naturalist

Meeting location- to be announced

5:30-6:00    Return checked-out materials and complete course evaluations.

6:00-6:10    Set-up potluck and field journal display.

6:10-6:40    Potluck Dinner and journal viewing.

6:40-7:00    Grand finale Learn 10- All 100 species game with prizes and dessert.

7:00-8:30    Student presentations.  Learn about future opportunities for Wenatchee Naturalists