Some basic information about the course appears below - we will be adding further details as they become available. Please feel free to email course leader Chris Morgan at courses@insightwildlife.com 

If you are interested in joining us for an experience that may change your life, see the links on this page for more information.  
 

• A four-credit (quarter system) field course offered by Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA.
• Open to students seeking credit or non-students seeking an unforgettable experience!
• 300 level course.
• 2 week field/class activities.
• Main topic: conservation and management of large carnivores (especially bears) in North America.
• Real research.
• Real biologists.
• WHEN?   To be announced. 
• WHERE?  The North Cascades of Washington State.

THE COURSE
Join bear specialist and Huxley College of Environmental Science Faculty member Chris Morgan in the majestic North Cascades this summer. The course enjoyed great success in 2000, 2001 and 2002.The course offers an exciting opportunity for individuals to assist with wildlife research in the North Cascades of Washington. The two week field course is implemented by Chris Morgan (IWM) and offers students and non-students the opportunity to gain valuable real world research experience in the field while hiking amid some of the state’s most magnificent scenery. 

While focusing on grizzly bear research, conservation and management, students will also learn from experts about countless additional species – especially the Pacific Northwest’s other large carnivores including cougars, black bears, wolves, lynx and the role that they play as umbrella species for landscape-level conservation initiatives. Combined field classes and field data collection days will be spent learning directly from a wide array of specialists representing wildlife agencies and NGOs. This is a wonderful opportunity to join real ecologists in the field and class for a unique glimpse of Washington’s wilderness and those who make a living there. More course information.

Students seeking accreditation for this course will receive 4 x 300 level Environmental Science quarter system credits. 

Note: This course is subject to enrollment.  Field conditions are physically demanding.  Pre-course orientation meeting will be held on date to be announced. 

SOME COMMENTS FROM CHRIS MORGAN'S
FORMER FIELD STUDENTS:

"This was the best course of my academic career and was the springboard for my current career in wildlife conservation. As a learning environment, the outside classroom is incomparable. It offers both an inexhaustible source of academic investigation and the opportunity for personal growth and inspiration. The framework of the course provides the chance to get to know your peers well, to learn from their experience, and to share your own. Also, having access to a well-qualified, interesting, and enthusiastic instructor made a huge difference. Because the natural world is unpredictable, it is necessary for all the group participants to make the best of any given situation to make the course successful. Because of this, the course was both challenging and fun, and the lessons long-lasting."
 Isaiah Hirschfield
 San Francisco State University
Glacier National Park Grizzly Bear Field Course, 1999.

"Although all of my instructors were wonderful, I think that Chris was perhaps my favorite. He possessed a great camaraderie with the group and was extremely knowledgeable about the material. He is patient, thoughtful, level-headed, funny, intelligent, kind, a superb teacher and an excellent person in general. His enthusiasm toward the project, group and subject matter was refreshing and inspiring and I would recommend him to anyone as a fabulous instructor. In addition, he really made a great effort (and very much succeeded) in getting to know the students on a more personal level and was quite encouraging and helpful with giving advice, information and contacts."
Student
Glacier National Park Grizzly Bear Field Course, 1999.

"In September and October of 1999, I spent a few weeks on a field course taught by Chris Morgan. The course involved rigorous field activity in Glacier National Park and it also involved multi-day classroom participation. Chris has an unbelievable talent for combining separate aspects of an intensive course. The classroom course was insightful, challenging and creative. Chris has contagious energy which created an exciting learning atmosphere. Chris also gave perspicuous lectures concerning ecology, conservation and bear management, all of which nicely supplemented our fieldwork. In the field Chris was very knowledgeable. he maintained a very affable, yet professional attitude through sometimes demanding field conditions. Once again, his enthusiasm carried into the outdoors, and he made data collection a terrific learning experience. Without a doubt, I would recommend anyone to take a course with Chris."
Tyler Coleman
Student
Glacier National Park Grizzly Bear Field Course, 1999.

"Chris Morgan is not only an exceptional, knowledgeable and prudent instructor, but also a delightful person and a personal friend. He is intensely excited and involved in his work, as well as accommodating, good spirited, hard working and kind. I give him my utmost recommendation and respect and would strongly encourage anyone to participate in one of his field projects. Last year I had the pleasure of working with Chris in Glacier National Park as a student on his wildlands studies program. The experience was easily one of the best of my life, and a large part of that had to do with his wonderful teaching skills and his very company."
Katie Yale
Student
Glacier National Park Grizzly Bear Field Course, 1999.
 

THE COST (estimations provided were for 2002 course - intended as a guide only)
We have provided the following cost outline as a guide only. Expenses marked* may fluctuate slightly.

WWU Enrollment fee: $50 (WA resident); $100 (non-WA resident). Miscellaneous fees may also be incurred by those students taking more than 6 summer credits.
WWU Tuition fee: $392 ($98 per credit).
WWU Lab/material fee: $150.
Expenses: (Accommodation, Car pooling, Food, laundry, free time): $350*

Example grand total cost: $942 (non-residents add $50)

For general enrollment information: 
Western Washington University (quote course # ENVR 397a): 
Tel: (360) 650 3757
Fax: (360) 650 3761
web site: www.wwu.edu/~summer

Some more information about the course content:
The North Cascades Wilderness Field Course follows a multi-disciplinary approach consisting of field-based research days (two thirds) and classroom-based course days (one third - conducted near the study site). The central study species are the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), the black bear (Ursus americanus) and other native carnivores. 

The program focuses upon the research and management of bears and their roles as umbrella species for landscape-level protection and resource management. More specifically, these umbrella species provide a perfect platform from which to develop field and classroom-based activities and lessons in the areas of ecology, fieldwork skills, data analysis, land management, human-wildlife conflicts, wildlife protection policy and environmental education. 

The North Cascades Ecosystem is recognized as one of the six remaining recovery zones for the threatened grizzly bear in the lower 48. Promotion of grizzly bear recovery in this region should be given priority as a means to facilitate effective wider ecosystem protection and restoration. The field course helps to serve this promotion whilst providing a unique opportunity for students to gain invaluable experience in the field, and to meet many professionals working in the realm of wildlife management and conservation.

Class time (approximately 5 of the 14 course days) includes a wide range of inspirational guest speakers representing a variety of government and non-government agencies, organizations and individuals (e.g. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, National Park Service, non-government organizations, various institutes, native interest groups etc.). This is your chance to meet and discuss many wildlife issues with the experts, and to find out about life as a wildlife professional. Opportunities such as this are irreplaceable.

The course encourages team members to consider post-graduate studies and careers in wildlife management and emphasizes the need for the biologist to be armed with a diversity of work skills as we enter a new century of human/wildlife dilemmas. The course accentuates the need for a combination of theoretical and practical dexterity and therefore places equal importance on the classroom and field-based activities. The course also draws parallels with similar efforts in other countries, stressing bear research and conservation efforts in regions such as Europe and South America.

Please note: participants will be responsible for the provision of their own equipment (although items such as tents, stoves, etc. can be shared among groups). The pre-course orientation session will be a great opportunity to ask questions and make sure that you are prepared for your time in the field. Excitement and adventure awaits us! In the meantime, please feel free to email Chris Morgan (courses@insightwildlife.com) if you have any questions to ask. He will be happy to help you out.

We will be placing more information here soon. Be sure to bookmark this page!