Palomar College Dept. of Life Sciences, Field Studies in Natural History and Ecology

Spectacular Scenery!

Extraordinary Wildlife!

THE GREATER

YELLOWSTONE ECOSYSTEM

Earn College Credits in the World’s Most Beautiful Classroom

“The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem” is a field course conducted in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The instructors, Dan Sourbeer and Candi Francis, will spend ten days and nights exploring this spectacular place with a group of students. Days are spent traveling, hiking, canoeing, and rafting to observe as much wildlife, and learn as much about the ecosystem, as possible.

TENTATIVE AGENDA

Aug. 5 Meet in Colter Bay, afternoon activity, evening lectures-presentations.

Aug. 6 Cascade Canyon hike, evening lectures-presentations.

Aug. 7 Dawn Snake River float, Slide Lake, lectures-presentations.

Aug. 8 Canoe String and Leigh Lakes, lectures-presentations.

Aug. 9 Paintbrush Canyon Hike, lectures-presentations.

Aug. 10 Move to Yellowstone, evening wildlife viewing.

Aug. 11 Lamar Valley (wolves?) wildlife viewing and hike, lectures-presentations.

Aug. 12 Mt. Washburn Hike, wildlife viewing, lectures-presentations.

Aug. 13 “Seven Mile” Hike, wildlife-viewing, lectures-presentations.

Aug. 14 Pelican Valley and East entrance, evening wildlife viewing, last supper.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibilities vary with the course taken, but all students will research a topic of interest to them related to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and do a short paper on the subject. During the course, each student will give a “campfire chat” on their topic to the rest of the class. Students also keep a “Naturalist’s Journal” of their observations, activities, presentations, and wildlife observed.

ACCOMODATIONS We will be staying in cabins at Grand Teton (Colter Bay) and Yellowstone (Lake Yellowstone) National Parks. The cabins are very comfortable with two beds, a bathroom with shower, and daily maid service. Arrangements are two students per cabin. Students are responsible for their own transportation and meals (see below).

COST A fee of $720 covers accommodations; and costs related to rafting, canoeing, and other activities. This fee may be lower if family members choose to share a bed, for instance. The fee does not cover transportation costs or meals. Students typically form carpools for the journey to Wyoming, and cook their own meals on camp stoves (cooking is not permitted inside the cabins) to reduce costs. The first of two on-campus meetings is a good opportunity to meet other students and make travel/cooking arrangements. There are grocery stores, and restaurants at convenient locations within both parks. Students must also pay the $11 per unit registration fee (this fee may increase to $24 per unit).

ON-CAMPUS MEETINGS We will have pre-class meetings on June 21 and July 19 from 12PM-2PM, in room LS-24 at the main campus in San Marcos. Attendance is required.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONING Hikes will typically be between six and ten miles (round trip) at altitudes above 7,000 feet. We stop frequently, however, to observe, record, and discuss a variety of phenomena. We typically start early in the morning and finish in the mid to late afternoon. We will also be canoeing one day, and rafting one day. If you are uncomfortable with any activity you may choose to do something else.

FOOD AVAILABILITY We tend to start early before restaurants open, so students usually eat something that is fast and easy or can be eaten while driving for breakfast. Lunch is eaten in the field. We are usually back at the cabins for dinner. Most students cook on their own or meet at picnic areas to cook together. When time allows, dinner is an opportunity to eat in a restaurant.

REGISTRATION All students will be doing the same activities, but the students may emphasize specific interests, or meet different requirements base on the course in which they enroll, and the amount and quality of work that they do. Students may enroll in any one of the following courses.

Biology 195 or Zoology 195 (3 units) – These courses are transferable elective credit courses, but they will not satisfy the Natural Science laboratory requirement for UC/CSU.

Biology 45 (three units) – This course is designed for children under 15 years of age. Children must be accompanied by a parent, and the parent must be enrolled in Biology 195, Zoology 195, or Biology 114L.

Biology 114L (2 units) – This class will satisfy the Natural Science laboratory requirement for UC/CSU. To take this course you must have completed Biology 114 or Biology 101 (etv and telenet Biology 101 are being offered this summer, Biology 114 is not), and the requirements for this course are more stringent than for Biology 195.

Biology 295 (2 units) – This class will satisfy the Natural Science laboratory requirement for UC/CSU. To enroll in Biology 295 you must have completed a course in the Life Sciences Department and will need the permission of one of the instructors. The requirements for this course are more stringent than for Biology 195.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact Dan Sourbeer at (760) 744 -1150, extension 2775, email dsourbeer@palomar.edu or go to one of the following web pages: <http://daphne.palomar.edu/dsourbeer>, or <http://daphne.palomar.edu/cfrancis/yellowstone/yellowstone_2002.htm>.