Course Overview: Finding solutions to conservation problems is complicated because key stakeholder groups (e.g., private landowners, industry, environmental NGOs, animal rights groups, the public) have competing interests and may oppose conservation actions. Human dimensions (HD) of natural resources and wildlife conservation uses social sciences (e.g. sociology, social psychology, economics) methods to find practical solutions to conservation problems. In this course students learn:
human dimensions concepts and theories that will allow them to identify the underlying causes of human-wildlife conflicts and conservation problems
core principals of designing surveys to elicit human dimensions information that is needed to resolve conservation problems
how human dimensions can help inform conservation policy and programs
This course is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Credits: 3
Course Overview: The conservation of the environment, natural resources, fish, and wildlife often relies on the actions of the government, industry, and people. Market and political forces influence the use of resources. During this class we cover key theories from environmental and resource economics that explain why environmental and conservation issues arise, and how these issues can be resolved.
Course Objectives: On completion of this course, students should be able to:
Evaluate the roles markets, government, and the public play in generating environmental and conservation problems;
Explain how different market-based and regulatory tools can be used to resolve environmental and conservation problems;
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of different market-based and regulatory tools; and
Recommend the most appropriate solution to real world conservation problems.
Credits: 2