Ecological Restoration
NRE 589
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Senior or Graduate Standing.

The Society for Ecological Restoration defines ecological restoration as "the process of renewing and maintaining ecosystem health (or integrity)." This course is designed to provide a practical overview of various facets of ecological restoration, particularly as related to restoring and managing the kinds of habitats found in Southeastern Michigan and the upper Midwest. Through a combination of lectures, readings, field trips, and project work, we will examine background theory and issues relating to ecological restoration and attempt to develop approaches for solving specific problems associated with local habitats. While most of the examples we will study will be local, the principles and processes will have applications world-wide. The sequence of class lectures/readings/discussions is intended to provide basic information and philosophies on ecological restoration/natural areas management and the field trips are intended to provide first hand exposure to local ecosystems and the challenge of putting restoration ideas into practice. Class work will include discussions, labs/short exercises, group projects, and one individual term paper/project. There will also be a final examination.