Introduction to Forestry & Natural Resources Course Description Forests and other natural resources play an important role in our world, from providing lumber and paper products to providing habitat for birds and animals. In the Introduction to Forestry and Natural Resources course, you’ll learn more about forest ecology, management, and conservation. You’ll explore topics such as environmental policy, land use, water resources, and wildlife management. Finally, you’ll learn more about forestry related careers and important issues facing forestry professionals today.
Unit 1: What is Forestry? Learning Objectives ∙ Describe the historical and economic significance of forestry ∙ Illustrate anatomy and tree growth ∙ Identify forest and woodland soils ∙ Describe photosynthesis and respiration
Unit 2: All about Ecosystems Learning Objectives ∙ Define ecosystems ∙ Describe watershed management ∙ Explain basic silvicultural systems used on forest management ∙ Apply principles of multiuse to forests and other lands
Unit 3: Measuring and Monitoring Learning Objectives ∙ Calculate tree volume ∙ Estimate timber growth and yield ∙ Measure tress and forest volume ∙ Calculate quality and volume by scaling logs
Unit 4: Forest Management Basics Learning Objectives ∙ Identify forest managed options ∙ Apply the principles of basic nursery operation ∙ Research sources of forestry management assistance ∙ Demonstrate control of destructive agents, such as fire, insects, and disease
Unit 5: Working with Wood
Learning Objectives ∙ Identify technological advances in the industry ∙ Compare timber manufacturing processes and products ∙ Describe timber marketing procedures and techniques ∙ Identify research and development issues in forestry and wood technology
Unit 6: Mapping and Monitoring Learning Objectives ∙ Describe different types of maps ∙ Interpret map scale and actual distance ∙ Use a geographic information system to interface geospacial data ∙ Distinguish elevations ad terrain features from topographic maps
Unit 7: Ethics, Ecology, and Safety Learning Objectives ∙ Identify and evaluate ethical guidelines ∙ Apply environmental principles to the agricultural industry ∙ Evaluate how advances in science and technology have raised concerns about ethical issues ∙ Identify a national organization that seeks to promote ethical behavior, and analyze is success and impact
Unit 8: Professional Skills in Forestry Learning Objectives ∙ Demonstrate agribusiness, employability, and human relations skills ∙ Identify career development and entrepreneurship opportunities in forestry and woodland ecosystems ∙ Demonstrate knowledge of personal and occupational safety practices in the workplace ∙ Identify employers’ expectations, including appropriate work habits, ethical conduct, legal responsibilities, and good citizenship skills
