Northwest Center for Sustainable Resources
Instructional and Educational Materials
All materials are available via download and are free-of-charge. Scroll down the page to see a complete list of available materials. Click on a subject's title for more information about that item. Click here for a PDF file listing all of our items with descriptions. The Download links are provided to easily access and share the materials with others. All materials include a PDF file which is the most complete file for the item. The MS PowerPoint files are provided to support presentations and can be modified to meet the needs of the course. The MS Word files are provided to facilitate the modifications of worksheets or handouts in adaptation of the curriculum to meet the needs of the course. NCSR gives permission for all materials to be copied and pasted into other formats for editing purposes to be adapted for use in the classroom. Click on Topic Search to access a menu of products by instructional units listed by topic. |
|
Courses | Instructional Manuals | Instructional Modules | Educator Guides Community-Based Secondary Education Guides | Curriculum Guides |
|
|
Courses Courses are an academic term length set of detailed lessons that include applications of scientific and technological themes, ecosystem management and laboratory and field-based activities. |
|
| A natural resources and fisheries course that introduces aquatic field and lab methods. 133 pages. 830 KB 6 Quarter hour credits: 3 hours lecture, 9 hours lab |
|
| A natural resources and fisheries capstone course featuring measurement techniques and a comprehensive field study of
local stream and lake ecosystems. 121 pages. 920 KB 6 Quarter hour credits: 3 hours lecture, 9 hours lab |
|
| A lecture-only course that uses current references to explore views on the humans/nature relationship. 61 pages. 5.8 MB 3 Quarter hour credits:3 hours lecture |
|
| Introduces the structure and function of ecosystems as a background for the coverage of environmental issues and
ecosystem management. 169 pages. 2.8 MB 4 Quarter hour credits: 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab |
|
| Focuses on environmental problems associated with biological resources, using ecosystem management as an underlying
theme. 125 pages. 2.8 MB 4 Quarter hour credits: 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab |
|
| Examines environmental problems and issues related to energy and environmental contamination. 175 pages. 2.5 MB 4 Quarter hour credits: 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab |
|
| Provides a lecture-only format suitable for introducing the use of GIS in a wide variety of disciplines. 232 pages. 4.6 MB 3 Quarter hour credits: 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab |
|
| Introduces the characteristics, evolution, classification, adaptations, ecology, and natural history of mammals. 107 pages. 2.3 MB 3 Quarter hour credits: 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab |
|
| A lecture-only course that uses current references to present concepts and practices of wildlife conservation. 59 pages. 3.7 MB 3 Quarter hour credits: 3 hours lecture |
|
| Instructional Manuals These materials contain classroom, laboratory or field-based applications of scientific and technological themes in ecosystem management. |
|
| Describes a cost-effective way to develop a "constructed wetlands" for field-based student applications including instructional modules that can be used in the lab. 79 pages. 3.9 MB | |
| Forest Surveying and Silviculture. Provides a compilation of forestry-related laboratory exercises and field activities selected from course materials in forest resource technology programs. 56 pages. 585 KB | |
| Watersheds, Soils and Ornithology. A compilation of natural resources exercises used to evaluate watershed ecosystems, soil characteristics and estimating bird populations. 115 pages. 1.4 MB | |
| Instructional Modules These materials contain classroom, laboratory or field-based applications of scientific and technological themes in ecosystem management. |
|
| This module presents activities to evaluate human impacts on the environment using several different approaches and resources. 36 pages. 36 MB | |
| This module introduces case studies in a "town meeting" format as a new teaching method for evaluation of a complex environmental issue. 18 pages. 300 KB | |
Forest Regeneration - An Evaluation of Seedling Mortality, Growth and Stand Development |
This module describes a field-based laboratory that evaluates tree seedling growth and mortality and stand development as part of a reforestation project. 51 pages. 2.5 MB |
| This module provides students with some skills and practice in evaluating claims made in written accounts of environmental issues. 21 pages. 315 KB | |
| This module provides information on conducting a multiple session classroom, laboratory, and field-based experience to determine the impact of non-point sources of pollution on watersheds. 49 pages. 950 KB | |
| This module provides materials that allow module students to examine various images and prepare a detailed analysis of land use changes in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. 35 pages. 22.6 MB | |
| This module examines the production of genetically modified organisms as an environmental issue. Potential environmental impacts of genetically modified crops are emphasized, although human health concerns are also addressed. 29 pages. 316 KB | |
| This module introduces the idea of interconnectedness among ecosystems components and describes a number of scenarios that illustrate the concept. 41 pages. 3.4 MB | |
| NCSR Fire Ecology and Management Series | |
| A lecture-based module intended for use in courses such as Environmental Science, General Biology and Introduction to Natural Resources and presents the current understanding of the role of wildfire. 46 pages. 9.9 MB | |
Historical Fire Regimes and Their Application to Forest Management |
This module introduces the concept of historical fire regimes and describes how they are applied to modern forest management. 49 pages. 24.4 MB |
| A case study module that presents an examination of the B&B Complex Fire in central Oregon. The module introduces the basics of wildfire behavior in the context of historical fire regimes. 42 pages. 22.6 MB | |
| This lecture-based module provides an introduction to the issue and uses case studies in California and Oregon to illustrate the main points. 61 pages. 24.4 MB | |
| This module examines the contentious wildfire issues of whether or not to remove trees after a wildfire based on our current state of knowledge on salvage logging. 48 pages. 14.4 MB | |
| A classroom exercise designed to develop student objectivity in evaluating articles published about wildfire-related issues such as salvage logging, wildfire impacts and thinning as a tool for reducing the probability of catastrophic wildfire. 38 pages. 6.3 MB | |
| NCSR Marine Fisheries Series | |
| A lecture-based module presenting an overview of issues related to marine fisheries resources. It covers causes for declines of marine fish stocks, the implications of fishery declines for marine communities and ecosystems, and, fishery management practices. 73 pages. 16.9 MB | |
| A lecture-based module presenting a detailed examination of the nature of marine fisheries and their status as natural resources. 76 pages. 12.1 MB | |
| A lecture-based module presenting a detailed examination of the causes for the decline of marine fisheries and the community- and ecosystem-level impacts of these declines. 84 pages. 10.1 MB | |
| A lecture-based module presenting a detailed examination of traditional, market-based and ecosystem-based approaches to marine fisheries management. 105 pages. 10.0 MB | |
Declining Expectations - The Phenomenon of Shifting Baselines |
An instructional guide designed to provide instructors with lecture support on the concept of shifting baselines and its application to marine fisheries. Shifting baselines are defined and their contribution to fishery declines discussed. Various methods that are used to establish historical baselines are described and illustrated with case studies. 38 pages. 5.8 MB |
The Role of Marine Reserves in Ecosystem-based Fishery Management |
A lecture-based module presenting the role of marine reserves including the implementation of marine reserve networks in ecosystem-based fishery management. 59 pages. 8.3 MB |
| This module provides materials for a comprehensive examination of the decline of the Atlantic cod and brief descriptions of other fisheries for developing case studies. 87 pages. 11.6 MB | |
| An activity designed to evaluate the sustainability of locally available seafood. 42 pages. 5.3 MB | |
| An evaluation of the environmental and social impacts of shrimp aquaculture. 20 pages. 3.6 MB | |
This document provides detailed summaries for six videos that examine various aspects of the marine fisheries issue, a comprehensive glossary of terms commonly used in marine fisheries and a complete set of citations of web, print and additional video resources. 77 pages. 230 KB |
|
| NCSR Wetlands Ecology and Management Series | |
| This module characterizes the wetlands resource and introduces students to wetlands as ecosystems and to the rationale for wetlands management. Wetland functions and values are also described. 87 pages. 20.8 MB | |
| This module describes the current status of wetlands and compares that to their place in history. Wetland types, classification schemes and causes for wetland loss and degradation are also discussed. 98 pages. 27.8 MB | |
Wetlands Management I - Determination and Delineation Download PDF; Download PPT; Download MS Word I; Download MS Word II |
This module introduces wetlands management and describes wetland determination and delineation as first steps in wetland management projects. A field activity is included that engages students in the essential elements of wetland determination and delineation. 95 pages. 22.6 MB |
| This module introduces the concept of compensatory mitigation and evaluates its effectiveness as a strategy for managing the wetland resource. A wetland mitigation field activity is included that describes how instructors can identify appropriate local wetland mitigation sites and how to organize a mitigation tour. 95 pages. 13.6 MB | |
| This module describes the complex relationship between wetlands and climate change. 47 pages. 7.8 MB | |
| This module examines the impact of hurricanes on wetlands as well as the role of wetlands in the protection of coastal areas. 68 pages. 15 MB | |
| This module uses restoration efforts in south Florida as a case study of wetland restoration. 89 pages. 16.3 MB | |
| Educator Guides These guides are designed to provide educators background information for developing curriculum modules or courses. |
|
American Indian Perspectives: Nature, Natural Resources, and Natural Resources Education |
Nature, Natural Resources, and Natural Resources Education. Provides historical and contemporary information on American Indians and natural resources. 117 pages. 11 MB |
Visions for Natural Resource Education and Ecosystem Science for the 21st Century |
Documents new directions in creating educational programs to meet the needs of the Twenty-first Century natural resource workforce. 125 pages. 10.4 MB |
| A pictorial visit to the Arctic and Antarctic is part of the NCSR pictorial series designed for presentation to general audiences. It is comprised of images made from photographs from the Arctic and Antarctic regions presented in a PowerPoint format supported by instructors notes. 73 slides. 112 MB | |
| A pictorial visit to Southern Africa is part of the NCSR pictorial series designed for presentation to general audiences. It is comprised of images made from photographs from Botswana and Zambia in a PowerPoint format supported by instructor notes. 104 slides. 59.2 MB | |
| A pictorial visit, The West- The Columbia Gorge and Monterey Bay is part of the NCSR pictorial series designed for presentation to general audiences. It is comprised of images made from photographs from The Columbia Gorge in Oregon and Washington, and Monterey Bay in California. Photos are presented in a PowerPoint format supported by instructor notes. 77 slides. 13.5 MB | |
| Community-Based Secondary Education Guides These Educators Guides are designed around the community-based approach which unites the classroom and the community in the teaching and learning process. |
|
Educator's Guide to Program Development in Natural Resources |
An introductory guide to developing community-based education and ecosystem management instruction as organizing frameworks around natural resource-based studies. 90 pages. 3.5 MB |
| A detailed guide for developing community-based lessons including tools and resources to connect the classrooms to the community. 252 pages. 2.2 MB | |
| A series of community-based activities designed for high school biology classes. 114 pages. 1.3 MB | |
Educator's Guide to American Indian Perspectives in Natural Resources |
For educators looking to include American Indian perspectives in their courses, this manual provides current information and approaches to tribal use and management of natural resources. Two leading Indian authors discuss Traditional Ecological Knowledge and western science as well as current work and important background information necessary for inclusion into a natural resource or environmental program. 231 pages. 1.6 MB |
| This educator's guide provides a glimpse into what is possible when teachers and their students embrace the community-based approach. It contains the stories of 5 programs that have effectively used community-based education in their respective school settings. The stories included here will provide both inspiration and ideas on how to take your students and school on this journey. 74 pages. 11 MB | |
Connecting Classrooms to the Community: A Guide for a Community-based Approach to Education |
This educator’s guide provides a comprehensive explanation of community-based education and includes lessons for all parts of the process to facilitate the achievement of community-based education. This final publication pulls the key explanations, lessons, and resources from previous NCSR educator guides so that educators and community partners will have all the key components at their disposal for designing and implementing a community-based project or program. 196 pages. 2.2 MB |
| Curriculum Development and Application Guides These guides are designed to assist educators in the development of curriculum, application of supporting instructional technology and in supporting other aspects of natural resource education. |
|
| Contains detail strategies for use by educational professionals in documenting curriculum products and protocols for test products. 24 pages. 305 KB | |
| This module provides information and instructions on access to and manipulation of high resolution remote sensing imagery. 7 pages. 165 KB | |
| This questionnaire has been developed to assist faculty in determining the effectiveness of an instructional unit in increasing student knowledge of the scientific process of gathering and using data. 18 pages. 2.3 KB | |
Natural Resource Education Student Outreach and Recruiting Presentation |
This guide provides a PowerPoint presentation with accompanying notes designed to advise students about employment opportunities and education requirements. 17 slides. 6 MB |
Updated July 2012.
Copyright 2007 Northwest Center for Sustainable Resources,Salem,Oregon.