Plant Identification for Wildlife Biologists
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Plants structure ecosystems and provide habitat and food for wildlife. As such, identifying and classifying plants are essential skills for wildlife biologists but are often underemphasized in wildlife curriculums or overlooked altogether. This course gives students a foundation in the practical skills needed to identify and classify plants in their location of interest (e.g., study area, forest, park, management unit). Students will learn how to define characteristics of plants, classify plants into major plant groups and common plant families, and use technical keys to identify plant species from their local areas. By the end, students will produce a digital plant collection for their location of interest. Credit from successful completion of this course can be used to earn professional certifications (e.g., The Wildlife Society’s Certified Wildlife Biologist®), and if taken for academic credit, can meet the minimum educational requirements for federal and state wildlife biology jobs that require formal education in botany and the related plant sciences.
PREREQUISITES
None
PRIMARY INSTRUCTOR
COURSE FORMAT, DATES, & PRICING
Students will take the course at their own pace with instructor support over a two-month period. The course is divided into discrete competency-based modules composed of pre-recorded lecture material and hands-on exercises which may require visiting your local wildlife habitat. Student interaction and instructor feedback will be provided in the form of online discussion forums and live Q&A. Each student will also have the opportunity to meet with the instructor via video consultation to discuss their individual projects from school or work. Participants interested in taking the course for an additional 1-2 credits will need to complete a independent project with the instructor’s approval.
Spring : May 28 - July 21, 2024 (with course access through August 18)
Regular rate: $550 professional / $450 student
Complete a final project for an additional 1-2 academic credits (from your home institution). A fee of $200/credit for students and $300/credit for professionals will apply. If interested, please reach out to info@centerforwildlifestudies.org.
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Major plant groups, from mosses to flowering plants
Structure and terminology of flowers, leaves, and stems
Identifying trees and shrubs
Identifying herbaceous plants
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After taking this course, students will be able to:
Collect, press, and photograph particular parts of a plant to help plant identification
Use plant keys to systematically identify plant specimens
Organize specimens in a digital plant collection for your study area
“As someone who has primarily worked with animals, I found it really valuable to learn foundational systematics and biology of a broad range of plant groups. The course had a simple yet effective structure of lectures, short quizzes, and hands-on exercises that encouraged me to go out into the field. The instructor was very responsive with her feedback, and it was useful to be able to see posts from other students as well. I now have a much stronger interest in plants and plant ecology, and I look forward to learning more!’
Max Falkenberg
Conservation Educator, Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx Zoo
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT
This course has been approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 CEUs in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training, and (2) The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all exercises to earn CEUs and receive a Certificate of Course Completion. See our continuing education credit page for details.
UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE CREDIT
This 1-semester credit equivalent course can be taken with pre-approval from an administrator at a student’s college or university. In addition to meeting the requirements for course completion, students must take a final assessment to earn academic credit (e.g., Pass/Fail, letter grade) for this course. For an additional fee, students also have the option to complete a final project for an additional 1-2 academic credits (earning up to 2-3 academic credits in total). See our academic credit page for details.
TWS CERTIFICATION & FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT
Credit from successful completion of this course (C- or better) can be used to certify as an Associated or Certified Wildlife Biologist® with The Wildlife Society. If taken for academic credit at your home institution or with one of our partners, the course can also be used to meet the minimum educational requirements for federal and state wildlife biology jobs that require formal education in botany and the related plant sciences.
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ESA CERTIFICATION
This course is approved by the Ecological Society of America for 1 semester hour of qualified coursework that can be used to meet the minimum education requirements in biological science (ecology). ESA requires a grade of B- or higher for this course to count towards the academic credit requirements associated with Certification.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Full scholarships are available to participants from countries designated as “lower income” and “lower middle income” in the World Bank List of Economies. Please see our CWS World Scholars Program page for details.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations 30 days or more before the start date are not subject to cancellation fees. Cancellations <30 days before the start date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds once the course begins.