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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
ESCID058.
Course Title (CB02)
Landscape Linkages for California
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This is a landscape linkages field studies lab course exploring wildlife movement, habitat utilization, data collection, and analysis in California. Students apply wildlife tracking principles and techniques as well as relevant state and federal legislation and policy to an actual statewide corridor case study to assist in the preservation, protection, and restoration of native species, ecosystems, and landscape connectivity statewide.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This stand-alone course is CSU transferable. In this course, students will apply principles and techniques to assess landscape linkages in California.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
2.0
Maximum Credit Units
2.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours0.00.0
Laboratory Hours6.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
72.0
Total
72.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
0.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Laboratory experience which involve students in formal exercises of data collection and analysis

Assignments

  1. Required reading and writing assignments from text and other pertinent readings including written journal entries on wildlife corridor technology
  2. Team project (including written summary) on an assigned topic such as methods used in wildlife tracking for field projects and how to implement into the teaching and learning environment and applying to a statewide case study (such as the Safe Passages for Coyote Valley)
  3. One team assessment that will require students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze principles and concepts related to large scale landscape connectivity

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Completion of reading and writing assignments including an assessment (quiz) process to evaluate student comprehension of concepts and principles (Safe Passage for Coyote Valley: A Wildlife Linkage for the Highway 101 Corridor) and other relevant studies
  2. Completion of team project including an assessment process to evaluate student comprehension and participation of concepts and principles related to the first large scale, statewide landscape connectivity study in the Central Coast Region of California entitled: Safe Passage for Coyote Valley; A Wildlife Linkage for the Highway 101 Corridor, A User's Guide to Protecting Highway Crossings for Wildlife While Connecting California's Students with Science and Nature
  3. One team assessment (exam) that will require students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze principles and concepts (i.e. demonstrate ability to apply advanced tracking methods to a local case study and present to team of stakeholders in the region)

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies and surrounding gardens

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Phillips, J., R. Phillips, N. Srinivasan, D. Aso, W. Lao & P. Cornely, Safe Passage for Coyote Valley; A Wildlife Linkage for the Highway 101 Corridor, A User's Guide to Protecting Highway Crossings for Wildlife While Connecting California's Students with Science and Nature, °®¶¹´«Ã½ College, 2012.
Hilty, J.A., W.Z. Lidicker & A.M. Merenlender. Corridor Ecology. Island Press. 2006.
Meffe, G.K., L.A. Nielsen, R.L. Knight & D.A. Schenborn. Ecosystem Management: Adaptive, Community-Based Conservation. Island Press. 2002.
Forman, R.T., D. Sperling, etal. Road Ecology, 2003, Island Press, Washington

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Elbroch, M. Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide to North American Species. Stackpole Books. 2003.
Elbroch, M., M. Kresky, and J. Evans. Field Guide to Animal Tracks and Scat of California. University of California Press. 2012
N.C. Johnson, A.J. Malk, R.C. Szaro & W.T. Sexton. Ecological Stewardship: A Common Reference for Ecosystem Management. 1999.
Additional current journal readings from journals such as "Conservation Biology".

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Analyze the movement and activity of wildlife species at a landscape level
  • Analyze the core corridor areas utilized by wildlife species through data collection and analysis techniques utilized in a large scale landscape connectivity study
  • Compare and contrast the key stakeholders impacted by wildlife corridor movement.
  • Analyze key landscape connectivity legislation at the local, state and federal levels of government
  • Apply the wildlife tracking concepts and techniques to the first large scale landscape connectivity study (Safe Passage for Coyote Valley; A Wildlife Linkage for the Highway 101 Corridor, A User's Guide to Protecting Highway Crossings for Wildlife While Connecting California's Students with Science and Nature) in an effort to preserve, protect and restore native species, ecosystems and landscape connectivity utilizing a collaborative model to include diverse groups.

CSLOs

  • Research and analyze, in a field setting, wildlife monitoring at a landscape connectivity level, and assess techniques utilized in wildlife science/connectivity studies statewide.

Outline

  1. Analyze the movement and activity of wildlife species at a landscape level
    1. Field studies tracking techniques to assess wildlife movement both locally and statewide
    2. Field studies tracking techniques to assess wildlife habitat use and activity patterns both locally and statewide.
    3. Field data collection techniques and protocols in a field-based long term study
    4. Field data analysis practices and protocols used in a field-based long term study
  2. Analyze the core corridor areas utilized by wildlife species through data collection and analysis techniques utilized in a large scale landscape connectivity study
    1. Identify and map key areas utilized
    2. Record locations using technology-based equipment
    3. Coordinate findings with relevant resource agencies and other interested partners
    4. Least cost path analysis and connectivity models
  3. Compare and contrast the key stakeholders impacted by wildlife corridor movement.
    1. Resource agencies
    2. Nonprofits
    3. Academic institutions
    4. Community leaders
    5. Business and industry
    6. The public.
  4. Analyze key landscape connectivity legislation at the local, state and federal levels of government
    1. Omnibus Bill of 2009 (National Landscape Connectivity) federal legislation
    2. Assembly Bill (AB) 2785 California Wildlife Corridor Legislation (amends California Department of Fish & Game Code)
    3. Santa Clara County, City of San Jose, and other municipalities land use policy and practices related to landscape connectivity including the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for Santa Clara and related regions
    4. Communicate and collaborate findings with appropriate legislators, regulatory and resource agencies.
  5. Apply the wildlife tracking concepts and techniques to the first large scale landscape connectivity study (Safe Passage for Coyote Valley; A Wildlife Linkage for the Highway 101 Corridor, A User's Guide to Protecting Highway Crossings for Wildlife While Connecting California's Students with Science and Nature) in an effort to preserve, protect and restore native species, ecosystems and landscape connectivity utilizing a collaborative model to include diverse groups.
    1. Diverse community groups including nonprofit organizations both locally and statewide
    2. Schools, colleges and universities (locally and statewide).
    3. Local officials, legislators, including city council, board of supervisors, land use planning agencies, water district leadership and agencies, valley transit authorities and transportation agencies, open space authorities and other special districts
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