FOR 285 Sustainable Forest Certification

3 credits

Fall 2004  Wednesdays 1:25-5 pm        

(Note: Catalog says 1:25-3:20 which are our classroom hours. 

Field trips, which occur most weeks, will run until 5 pm.
We will also have one full day field trip on a Saturday during October.)

Professors:  Cecilia Danks and Bill Keeton,
Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources

The Sustainable Forest Certification seminar will address international, national, and regional efforts to develop a system for producing and marketing forest products in an environmentally, economically, and social responsible manner.  We will explore the forest certification movement in its entirety: from the relevant organizations and institutions, to on-the-ground examples of sustainable forest management practices and research, to marketing and construction using certified materials.   We will emphasize both the ecological and socioeconomic issues raised in certification efforts.  The course will be rich with field trips and guest lectures by speakers representing a diversity of perspectives.  Students will be encouraged to actively engage the instructors and guest speakers in discussion and debate. 

Assignments:   Students will produce three, two- page essays evaluating material presented by speakers and in readings. Students will also complete an individual or group project addressing either a current topic in forest certification or a project related to certification scoping for the UVM Jericho Research Forest.   Class attendance, completion of readings, and participation in discussions also are required.

Note:  This course will be offered every other fall semester.  Both graduate students and advanced undergraduates are encouraged to participate.