Interpreting Wildlife Areas and Refuges

Oregon’s wildlife refuges strive to protect its fish and wildlife for present and future generations.  The Wildlife Area helps the public learn that its flora and fauna teaches us many things, such as biomimicry, the study of nature’s sustainable design strategies that will help our world.  (Example: Sunflower leaves turns to face the sun: Can we design solar cells that do the same?)

In this capstone, students help interpret the nature of Sauvie Island Wildlife Area for a public audience. Students will learn about the Wildlife Area’s history and operations and explore the plants and animals that live within its boundaries. Students will interact with and interview people who use this beautiful place.

Students will study the island’s plants’ and animals’ adaptations applying them to biomimicry.  Working with Sauvie Island Academy’s middle school, capstone students will create a Biomimicry Nature Trail for the ODFW’s Wildlife Area.  We will meet two times a week: one day at PSU and the other day will travel via car pool to Sauvie Island, exploring the Wildlife Area and working with the island’s middle school students creating a Biomimicry Nature Trail. 

During Spring Term 2016, this class will meet every Tuesday on Campus from 900 to 1050 and every Thursday at Sauvie Island from 900 to 1300.