The Nature of Eugene

Above is a close-up of morning dew on the foliage of streamside lupine (Lupinus rivularis) in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

From the hills that embrace it to the Willamette River that flows through it, students learn what make Eugene's natural landscape unique and what efforts are being made to preserve and sustain it. Topics include flora, fauna, geography, climate, and human history. An active and fun elective for outdoor-oriented students who want to better understand their surroundings

More than half the class time is spent outdoors.

Course has no pre-requisites and is designed for non-majors.

At the completion of the course, students should be able to go anywhere in Eugene—from residential areas to forested parks and wetlands—and understand that site's natural history.

(See the attached poster and syllabus for more information.)

(This page updated 29 September 2023.)