{"id":3098,"date":"2025-07-27T23:11:16","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T06:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/?page_id=3098"},"modified":"2025-08-29T13:37:36","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T20:37:36","slug":"conservation-integrated-field-school-cons-451","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/conservation-integrated-field-school-cons-451\/","title":{"rendered":"Conservation Integrated Field School (CONS 451)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:55px;font-style:normal;font-weight:900;text-transform:none\">Conservation Integrated Field School (CONS 451)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-larger-font-size\"><strong>Instructors involved in EaSEIL&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forestry.ubc.ca\/faculty-profile\/nolan-bett\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nolan Bett<\/a> (Course coordinator and co-instructor, since 2020-2021)<br><a href=\"https:\/\/forestry.ubc.ca\/faculty-profile\/warren-cardinal-mcteague\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Warren Cardinal McTeague<\/a> (Lead instructor Grasslands Module, as of 2023) <br><a href=\"https:\/\/forestry.ubc.ca\/faculty-profile\/suzie-lavallee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Suzie Lavallee<\/a> (Lead instructor Grasslands Module, through 2022)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-larger-font-size\"><strong>Context: Course Description&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-549e1f2d wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Level:<\/strong> 4<sup>th<\/sup> year Natural Resources Conservation Program&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Credits:<\/strong> 15<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-container-content-5e2576f9 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Term:<\/strong> WT1<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-container-content-5e2576f9 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Capacity:<\/strong> ~30-45 students&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Additional fees <\/strong>(2024-2025)<strong>:<\/strong> $ 2300 (transportation, meals, accommodation)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Instructional team: <\/strong>1 course coordinator, 1 lead instructor per module (x4), 4 teaching assistants (change by module)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-container-content-91e0b0f7 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>Additional instructional team members:<\/strong> Isla Myers-Smith, Tara Martin, Scott Hinch<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:29px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>Overarching Learning Goals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">This <strong>capstone course <\/strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/you.ubc.ca\/ubc_programs\/conservation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Natural Resources Conservation Program<\/a>) integrates natural and social sciences in the context of conservation and focuses on alpine, grassland and aquatic ecosystems within British Columbia, Canada. It is structured in 3 modules, each with a lead instructor, ~3 weeks in the classroom (seminars, workshops, day trips, individual and group work) and <strong>1-week field experience in different locations for each module:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list margingSpaceLeft\">\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Alpine Module (Sep., camping at <a href=\"https:\/\/bcparks.ca\/ec-manning-park\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Manning Park<\/a>, British Columbia, Canada)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Grasslands module (Oct., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eoas.ubc.ca\/education\/ubc\u2013teck-geological-field-station\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UBC-Teck Geological Field Station<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/syilx.org\/about-us\/\">Syilx Lands<\/a>, Oliver, British, Columbia, Canada)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Aquatic module (Nov., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mkrf.forestry.ubc.ca\/research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Malcom Knapp Research Forest<\/a>, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">There is a fourth 1-week mini module (seminar, lab activity, day field trip, assignment) focused on land use and planning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"515\" height=\"386\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/alpine_module.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3789\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:340px;height:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/alpine_module.jpeg 515w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/alpine_module-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 515px) 100vw, 515px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alpine Module<sup>1<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"404\" height=\"539\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/grasslands_module.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3790\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:340px;height:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/grasslands_module.jpeg 404w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/grasslands_module-225x300.jpeg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Grasslands Module<sup>1<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"657\" height=\"369\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/aquatic_module.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3791\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:340px;height:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/aquatic_module.jpeg 657w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/aquatic_module-300x168.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 657px) 100vw, 657px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&nbsp;Aquatic Module<sup>2<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-c3a6b952ddf1fa9832591dedd3fa1877 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#838591;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Photo Credits: Nolan Bett<sup>1<\/sup>, 2022; Yanlin Huang<sup>2<\/sup>, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#f7f7f7\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-color has-text-color has-link-color has-larger-font-size wp-elements-a674e222289ac9303fd130089f92acc1\"><strong>Typical Schedule and Activities<\/strong> <strong>(Overall Course)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><strong><strong>Orientation session and communications<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">In-person (streamed, recorded) meeting held in the Spring to share the course outline (field trip days, cost, required gear\/equipment) and about the overall experience (physical, cognitive, social, living). Students receive a follow-up email summarizing the meeting and the recording. Subsequent communications throughout the summer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><strong>Classroom component (per module)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">Seminar and workshops on subject matter; day trips (8 am to 4 pm); field and scientific methods: data collection\/sampling techniques, data analysis and interpretation, report writing, and discussion\/critical thinking activities. Students complete an intake survey (safety; academic\/field work\/subject strengths and weaknesses).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><strong>Field component <\/strong><strong>(per module)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">Visits to sites of interest and\/or guest lectures with local experts. Students do group field work (e.g., outlining the habitat, awareness of cultural, historical, and contemporary aspects of land-use and conservation, data collection) towards a research project. Students receive a comprehensive course manual detailing classroom and field trip components (i.e., schedule, background, readings, evaluation and assignments):<br>Students submit an individual scientific report and complete a field assessment (oral or written exam). Individual modules include specific activities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><strong><strong>Evaluation<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Modules: 94%. Different assignments per module (Alpine Module, 24%; Grasslands Module, 31%; Aquatic Module, 31%; Land Use Mini-Module, 8%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Individual final integrative essay (3%) to critically reflect on the development as a scientist and conservationist through the course<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Volunteer practicum (3%): 3 days of work (24 h total) outside of class for a conservation organization or researcher. To be completed during the term up until 2 weeks after the course has finished.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Optional assignments: TCPS 2 Core Certificate and UBC land acknowledgement module (bonus)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:58px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#f7f7f7\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-color has-text-color has-link-color has-larger-font-size wp-elements-909d8dd03c1671f4d4c91bbd45a0ad10\"><strong>Typical Schedule and Activities&nbsp;(Grasslands Module 2024-2025)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><strong><strong><strong>Prior to Field Component<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">4 lecture sessions on campus (9am-4 pm); 1 field orientation meeting (virtual tour of the field station); relationship building activities; optional engagement in <a href=\"https:\/\/news.ubc.ca\/advisory\/2024-intergenerational-march-to-commemorate-orange-shirt-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-accent-color\">UBC\u2019s Intergenerational March<\/mark><\/a> to commemorate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indigenousbc.com\/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation\/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=1332995498&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADcmdOVhcszNpe45KKx2PFRrrhYPh&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwyvfDBhDYARIsAItzbZE0gwepB67z9yd9j_ItYV-Y0aa1-GUXIgLfX3owGbUlWbOeFkvc0TsaAmfQEALw_wcB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-accent-color\">National Day for Truth and Reconciliation<\/mark><\/a>.<br><em>Assessment<\/em>: Individual critical thinking discussions and self-reflections: scientific report introduction section<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><strong>Field Component (1 week,<\/strong><br><strong>8.30 am \u2013 5 pm)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">Day trips including visits to Cultural\/Interpretive centres, 2 days of field work, guest lectures (few in the evening), individual and group work time. Place-based discussion activities. Optional activities (e.g., bird at dawn). <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/mini-library-indigenous-voices-collection\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/mini-library-indigenous-voices-collection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-accent-color\">Access to Mini-library: Indigenous voices Collection<\/mark><\/a>. Breakfast\/Dinner at field station, packed lunch.<br><em>Assessment<\/em>: Individual critical thinking discussions and self-reflections, bird ID exam, oral field exams, scientific report methods figures, field media journal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><strong><strong>After field Component<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">3 workshop sessions (1-2 hours each), 1 class session (9am- 4pm) and self-directed work on campus.<br><em>Assessment<\/em>:&nbsp; Individual scientific report results section; scientific paper, critical thinking discussions and self-reflections; group herbarium plant collection. Student experience survey (bonus)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:58px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-larger-font-size wp-elements-91f08b8354b6e28a0a157e3a307430be\">Curricular Development<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1526ae4a9fc7003b3bc4b22cdc24f09d wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>Goals (G) and Motivation&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>G1: Re-design the grasslands module<\/strong> curriculum using <a href=\"https:\/\/udlguidelines.cast.org\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/udlguidelines.cast.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Universal Design for Learning<\/a> principles and <a href=\"https:\/\/guides.library.ualberta.ca\/indigenous-research\/indigenous-research-methods\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/guides.library.ualberta.ca\/indigenous-research\/indigenous-research-methods\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indigenous methodologies<\/a> to foster <strong>relationship building, critical thinking, co-construction of knowledge and meaningful place-based learning<\/strong> (2023-2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" style=\"font-size:20px;list-style-type:lower-alpha\" class=\"wp-block-list margingSpaceLeft\">\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Expanded learning objectives by including reflecting on positionality in field work and land.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Re-designed class activities and assignments to provide students with multiple ways to demonstrate mastery\/understanding and alternative modes of expressing and connecting to one another: critical thinking activities, discussions and self-reflections about daily topics\/guest lectures, field experience media journals (as of 2023-2024)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"509\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/inspiration.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3799\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:409px;height:455px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/inspiration.png 509w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/inspiration-275x300.png 275w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 509px) 100vw, 509px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-2e7f508c0e8972b14e348fabc0558a8f wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#838591;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Source: Warren Cardinal-McTeague, EaSEIL Community of Practice Meeting, Jan. 25, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>G2:<\/strong> <strong>Integrate Indigenous knowledges <\/strong>in the grasslands ecosystem module<strong> as a key aspect of meaningful place-based learning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-d05cb3ef wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"446\" height=\"335\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/visit_5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3802\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4782608695652173;object-fit:cover;width:340px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/visit_5.png 446w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/visit_5-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 446px) 100vw, 446px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"414\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/visit_6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3803\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:340px;height:230px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/visit_6.png 414w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/visit_6-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 414px) 100vw, 414px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-c7cdd1b20e250c66c2f6332d75281bb0 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#838591;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Visiting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nkmipdesert.com\/\">Nk\u2019Mip Desert Cultural Centre<\/a> to learn about Syilx culture and Science, from <em><u>their <\/u><\/em>voice<br>(Photo credits: Warren Cardinal-McTeague, 2023)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"513\" height=\"387\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/bob_gray.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3804\" style=\"object-fit:contain;width:450px;height:340px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/bob_gray.png 513w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/files\/2025\/08\/bob_gray-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 513px) 100vw, 513px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-21ddd9e9a5f35648b73942ef40764f51 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#838591;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Bob Gray \u2013guest speaker and place-based discussion about fire burns<br>(Photo credits: Warren Cardinal-McTeague, 2023)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>G3: Enhance student experience <\/strong>at the course level to<strong> reduce financial and physical accessibility barriers, <\/strong>and <strong>foster <\/strong>student <strong>wellbeing and relationship building<\/strong>\u202f<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular\" style=\"font-size:20px\">\n<table style=\"width:100%\">\n\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"has-accent-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Activities<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/th>\n<th class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has-larger-font-size\"><strong>2022-2023<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/th>\n\n<th class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has-larger-font-size\"><strong>2023-2024<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/th>\n\n<th class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has-larger-font-size\"><strong>2024-2025 (ongoing)*<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width:20%\" h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has-larger-font-size\" rowspan=\"4\"><strong>Prior to Field School<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td>\n\n<td colspan=\"3\">*G2: Reference to Indigenous communities local to field site, role in relation to conservation (in classroom component and field manual (expanded as of 2023-2024). Optional participation in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sncewips.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Sncewips Heritage Museum <\/a> Virtual Tour.<br>\nG3: Community building activities through group projects\n&nbsp;<\/td>\n\n<\/tr>\n\n\n\n\n<tr>\n<td class=\"bgTable\"><\/td>\n\n\n<td colspan=\"2\">*G2: Optional participation in <a href=\"https:\/\/news.ubc.ca\/advisory\/2024-intergenerational-march-to-commemorate-orange-shirt-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Intergenerational March<\/a> to enhance awareness about Indigenous history; centering Indigenous perspectives and knowledges through critical thinking\/discussion activities about Indigenous sovereignty, decolonization; optional engagement with UBC Land acknowledgement course. <br>\nG3: Optional engagement in an Indigenous-authored board game night event (hosted by EaSEIL and Xwi7xwa Library, Sept. 2024)\n&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr>\n<td class=\"bgTable\"><\/td>\n\n<td colspan=\"2\">*G3: <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/virtual-tour-of-teck-geo-station\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virtual tour of field station <\/a>to prepare students for living experience, incorporated relationship building activities (shared in orientation meeting, link on Canvas);\nCourse level: used <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/safety-practices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EaSEIL Safety practices <\/a> tool to update safety protocols&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td>\n\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr>\n<td class=\"bgTable\"><\/td>\n<td class=\"bgTable\"><\/td>\n<td>G3 (course level): Reduced course fees, maintained accessible locations and offered alternative engagement in activities (e.g., full\/partial steep hikes); gear on loan (based on student feedback in 2023-2024 survey)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n\n<tr>\n\n<td h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has-larger-font-size\" rowspan=\"3\"><strong>During Field School<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td>\n\n<td colspan=\"3\">*G2: Visit to Indigenous (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nkmipdesert.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nk\u2019Mip Cultural Desert Centre<\/a>). Embedded in course activities as a first day activity to learn directly from Syilx members about their land and history (as of 2023-2024).&nbsp;<\/td>\n\n<\/tr><tr>\n\n<td class=\"bgTable\"><\/td>\n\n<td colspan=\"2\">*G2: Centering indigenous perspectives and knowledges through small group place-based discussion activities (some with Indigenous focus), media journaling; access to <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/mini-library-indigenous-voices-collection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mini Library: Indigenous Voices Collection<\/a>; and guest speakers. Continued efforts to build relationships with local communities&nbsp;<\/td>\n\n<\/tr>\n\n\n<tr>\n<td class=\"bgTable\"><\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">*G3: Relationship building activities (e.g., optional birding at dawn, hike, winery visit). \nCourse level: provided comprehensive \u201cwhat to expect resources\u201d to reduce novelty space &nbsp;<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">*Grasslands Module<br><em>More about curricular development on the instructor\u2019s voices<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">Bett, N. &amp; Cardinal-McTeague, W. (March 20, 2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/learning.media.ubc.ca\/media\/Accessibility+in+Field-Based+Learning+and+Indigenous+Course+RevisionA+Lessons+from+a+Capstone+Course+in+Natural+Resources+Conservation\/0_pr3avp72\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>\u201cAccessibility in Field-Based Learning and Indigenous Course Revision: Lessons from a Capstone Course in Natural Resources Conservation\u201d<\/em><\/a><em> <\/em>[Talk].Webinar co-hosted by EaSEIL and National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) Pacific Northwest Section.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-larger-font-size\">Impact&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-2e723642dffa3c50d357692ec17b90e5 wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Students<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">Total <strong>number of students enrolled 2022-2025<\/strong> (three course offerings): <strong>121 undergraduate<\/strong> students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Ten students participated om the optional virtual tour of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wfn.ca\/sncewips-heritage-museum.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scnewips Heritage Museum<\/a> (2022-2023)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">In the 2023-2024 course offering, the instructors gathered student perspectives about their experience in the course through surveys and focus groups as part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/sap.ubc.ca\/funded-projects\/co-developing-an-accessible-and-inclusive-field-based-course-a-student-driven-approach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UBC\u2019s Students as Partners Grant<\/a>. For a summary of findings you may watch this <a href=\"https:\/\/learning.media.ubc.ca\/media\/Accessibility+in+Field-Based+Learning+and+Indigenous+Course+RevisionA+Lessons+from+a+Capstone+Course+in+Natural+Resources+Conservation\/0_pr3avp72\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">webinar<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">At the end of the 2024-2025 course offering, the instructors surveyed students (anonymously) about accessibility, wellbeing experience and some resources offered in the field school components of the course. More details in forthcoming publications\/presentations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#f7f7f7\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-5a2a48f7635c67167b9078f72d23d962\">Instructors&#8217; Reflections&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.34%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">\u201cThe <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/virtual-tour-of-teck-geo-station\/\">virtual field tour<\/a><strong> <\/strong><strong>is an excellent resource<\/strong> for sharing with students. This was used by all the students in my course and <strong>nearly all found it helpful as it let them know what to expect <\/strong>prior to the field trip [Instructor Value and feedback Survey, 2025] \u2026 <strong>allows them to focus more on prepping for the material<\/strong>.\u201d [Instructor reflective interview, May 2024]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.34%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">&nbsp;\u201cIn the end of year evaluations there were several comments from students about enjoying the <strong>grasslands module in particular, as they felt it had a strong community-building component<\/strong>\u201d [Instructor personal communication, May 22, 2024]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">\u201cI see very notable <strong>differences in terms of the interactions<\/strong> [students who take CONS 451] have [compared to students not in the field school]; <strong>how close they are to one another<\/strong> and certainly, even though [other students] are spending lots of time with each other in the classroom, it is not as much time as the field students do. They don&#8217;t <strong>form the relationships to the degree that they do in field school<\/strong>.\u201d (Instructor reflective interview, Feb. 2023; edited for clarity)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right verticalLineRight wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">&#8220;[Comments about the grasslands module] have been really positive, [students] <strong>appreciate the discussions<\/strong>. I think [students] seem to <strong>enjoy not just hearing about it from somebody else, but also speaking with one another about it too<\/strong>. I think that&#8217;s been really effective. And being able to do that and <strong>have these discussions when we&#8217;re at the field site <\/strong>\u2026 there&#8217;s certainly the general atmosphere that&#8217;s created when we&#8217;re at a site that has experienced recent prescribed burns, and they are hearing from somebody who&#8217;s talking about their experiences with cultural burns and then the students are discussing and they&#8217;re in this location. It adds an element that <strong>makes it hit a little bit harder and engages them a little bit more strongly<\/strong>.\u201d [Instructor reflective interview, May 2025]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left verticalLineLeft wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:20px\">\u201cMy participation in EaSEIL <strong>encouraged me to consider issues relating to accessibility and inclusion in field courses<\/strong>, which led to some projects exploring this topic in my field course. We have integrated changes in the course that stemmed from this work, and the feedback from the students has been positive. <strong>The virtual tour of the Teck Field Station has also been a valuable tool for the students, as were the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/mini-library-indigenous-voices-collection\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/mini-library-indigenous-voices-collection\/\">Indigenous Library and board games<\/a>.\u201d [Instructor Value and Feedback Survey, 2025]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-color has-text-color has-link-color has-larger-font-size wp-elements-3764c7552b21519a216d0940cc3510d0\">Key Lessons Learned&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:20px\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities local to field sites take time and effort. You may get started by <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/ubc-teck-geological-field-station\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/ubc-teck-geological-field-station\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visiting Indigenous Cultural centres<\/a>&nbsp;or exploring other existing resources.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Consider financial, socio-emotional and physical barriers when designing a field course. Focusing on enhancing inclusion and accessibility in field courses by preparing students to learn in the field and designing activities with multiple access points, is highly beneficial for instructors (fewer on-site surprises) and students (increased wellbeing and more positive experiences).<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:20px\">Activities grounded on listening, discussing, and relationship building enhance student sense of belonging and foster Indigenous methodologies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Conservation Integrated Field School (CONS 451) Instructors involved in EaSEIL&nbsp;&nbsp; Nolan Bett (Course coordinator and co-instructor, since 2020-2021)Warren Cardinal McTeague (Lead instructor Grasslands Module, as of 2023) Suzie Lavallee (Lead instructor Grasslands Module, through 2022) Context: Course Description&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Level: 4th year Natural Resources Conservation Program&nbsp;&nbsp; Credits: 15 Term: WT1 Capacity: ~30-45 students&nbsp; Additional fees (2024-2025): [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101869,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3098","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3098"}],"version-history":[{"count":91,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3098\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4932,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3098\/revisions\/4932"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/easeil\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}