NATRS 182 - Aerial Photos, GIS and Forest Navigation

Credits: 8
Teaches the use of compass and chain/tape, mapping, map reading, topography, orientation, area determination, triangulation, the U.S. survey system, note keeping, field reporting, GPS (Global Positioning Systems), pacing and Studies and uses aerial photographs to interpret vegetation and land forms, measure distance and direction, and to navigate. Uses extensive field exercises in individual, team, and group situations. Students conduct basic tree measurements as well as open and closed traverses of roads, trails, and areas. Students apply previously learned mathematical concepts and field skills.

Prerequisite: NATRS 180 with a grade of 2.0 or higher; and instructor’s permission.

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Demonstrate basic tree measurement skills, Map reading and drawing.
Demonstrate field use of aerial photography and GIS using remote sensing and mapping systems commonly used in natural resources management (GIS/GPS).
Demonstrate skills and knowledge learned in Forest Introduction, Tree and Shrub Identification, and Forest Navigation.
Demonstrate competencies in distance measurements, direction measurements, note-keeping, public land survey system, map interpretation, acreage determinations, map making, surveying, exhibit competency operating a handheld GPS machine collecting data.
Demonstrate components of leadership: knowledge of the job, supervision, planning, training, teamwork, work within the organization and work independently within a group.
Demonstrate aesthetic awareness: opportunities to appreciate aesthetic awareness first-hand. Students will interpret, map, draw, and write about aesthetic components found in natural resources environments.

Program Outcomes

Attain a job in the Natural Resources field.
Manage Forestland and Resources to attain positive outcomes.
Demonstrate effective written and verbal communications between industry partners and cooperators.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.