Wildlife and Forestry Conservation Curriculum

The Starting Your Program course is designed to help you make a smooth transition to Penn Foster, including learning how to use all the tools and resources that are available to you. The goal is to help you become a confident, independent learner

You’ll learn about the government conservation agencies and private industries that provide employment in this field. You’ll become familiar with the basic organization of these government agencies and learn what these agencies do. Also, you’ll become familiar with the technologic advances that have enhanced the efficiency of these agencies.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

• Further express your goals and expectations
• Navigate the Penn Foster learning environment, including your Student Portal
• Describe what it takes to be a successful online learner
• Identify your preferred study aids and learning styles
• Practice some important study and time management skills
• Access and use helpful resources, such as the Penn Foster Virtual Library, and various help features
• Explain the different functions of wildlife conservation and forestry employees
• Identify employment opportunities in government conservation agencies
• Discover how pay scales are determined for federal government wildlife managers
• Identify private industries that offer conservation-related positions
• Determine the best ways to get started in your own conservation-related business
• Describe various technologic advances that have enhanced this industry
• Evaluate the comparative advantages of employment in city, state, or national governments; private industry; and your own business

Upland game birds occupy a wide variety of economic and ecological niches. Some birds are prized as targets for sport shooting, others are valued as gourmet food items, and still others are appreciated simply for their beauty and rarity. As people become more aware of the importance of these birds, conservation societies and hunters’ clubs have become increasingly concerned with the preservation of these species. This lesson illustrates the skills and techniques necessary for upland game bird management. It also provides insight into the habits and habitats of several common species. Whether your particular interest is in hunting, conservation, or wildlife study, you’ll benefit from understanding more about upland game birds.

You’ll also learn important aspects of the biology and management of waterfowl in North America. Emphasis is placed on the most common North American species. However, we’ll also cover biologic concepts that apply to many other species. This lesson will describe the life cycles and habitat requirements of representative species, explain the surveys and data that wildlife managers use, and outline the annual process of establishing waterfowl hunting regulations. Finally, you’ll learn practical techniques, such as how to capture waterfowl and improve nesting success.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

• Identify most common varieties of upland game birds
• Trap and transplant wild birds
• Manage suitable habitats for individual species
• Stock captive-bred birds
• Identify potential dangers to the survival of individual species
• Recognize features unique to waterfowl
• Identify several of the common species of waterfowl
• Contrast the life cycles of the mallard duck and the Canada goose
• Provide examples of factors that may limit waterfowl populations
• Describe the process used to establish mallard hunting regulations in the United States
• Compare methods used to estimate size, harvest, and movements of waterfowl populations

The principles of small mammal management can often be applied to other groups of animals, such as large mammals. However, application of principles alone isn’t enough to manage wildlife. People are greatly interested in wildlife species. But unless their observations are careful and frequent, they may draw some poor conclusions regarding the ecological principles related to these species.

A framework for learning about ecological principles as they relate to various species that live in different parts of North America—southern deserts to northern evergreen forests—is essential. You’ll learn a little about nature and hopefully will be stimulated to study further. The major objective is to present some of the principles for active, practical wildlife management that you can perform.

Studying nature and animals is important. Understand that wildlife resources and related areas can be changed. To achieve human objectives, the tasks are often not to “work with the animals.” Rather, you’ll see that working with the habitat and people is the way to effect change. You should learn how to make animals and their surroundings meet long-term human needs at reasonable costs.

You’ll first learn about the major small animal species of North America—southern deserts to northern evergreen forests. Then you’ll see how the principles for active, practical wildlife management discussed in Part 1 can be applied to manage the individual species. You’ll also learn about the techniques of conflict management.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

• Describe how populations, habitats, and groups of people relating to small mammals can be readily managed in North America
• Name some of the major characteristics of the good field observer
• Identify the major values of wildlife
• Define ecotourism and the potential role of the wildlife resource within it
• Explain the differences among state forests, state wildlife areas, state parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and national parks
• Determine some conditions under which modern hunting may remain feasible
• Identify several ways in which the wildlife resource may be profitable
• Identify the major characteristics of important small mammal species
• Describe how each species can be best managed in relation to its individual habitat
• Compare different species for similarities and differences
• Improve your observational and tracking skills
• Explain how multispecies management can be accomplished
• Describe the various approaches to conflict resolution
• Identify the major ecological issues that presently produce conflict

Big-game management is the backbone of wildlife management. This field has a rich history and an exciting future. The way managers view big-game animals, especially large predators such as bears and wolves, has changed dramatically in the last 100 years. In this course, you’ll learn about this history and how we’ve arrived at our current big-game management practices. There are many skills a big-game manager must have, but the foundational skill is the ability to accurately estimate the population size of a given species in a given habitat. You’ll use your estimate of population size to determine how many of these animals to harvest each year. Setting harvest rates is the most powerful tool that you’ll have as a manager. In turn, the population size will determine how you’ll use other techniques, such as the use of fences or of prescribed burns, to improve big-game habitat. By the time you finish this course, you’ll understand what it takes to become a successful big-game manager.

To effectively manage the animals and the land under your care, it’s important to be familiar with the traits of each kind of big-game animal, for you’ll soon discover that the problems you encounter are directly related to the unique characteristics of each species. In Part 2, we’ll explore each of these animals individually, providing you with insight about how to manage the animals and their environment.

You’ll be exposed to views and attitudes toward predators and predation. You’ll study the needs and applications of predation management in wildlife and livestock context, and the methods and techniques to control or reduce predator numbers. You’ll also find a species-by-species synopsis of identification of predation and predator habits, natural history, and population reduction techniques. This unit will help prepare the novice as well as prove interesting to the experienced field person seeking credentials.

We’ll cover the parks in the United States—why we have them and how they’re planned, developed, and operated. First, you’ll learn about the entire system of parks—federal, state, and local. You’ll gain an understanding of the reasons why parks are created. You’ll also become familiar with the many different roles parks play in:

• Protecting our natural and cultural heritage
• Providing recreational, sports, and educational experiences
• Enhancing family enjoyment of free time

Second, you’ll learn how parks are established (from initial conception, to park planning and land acquisition, and then on to development of public use facilities). Third, you’ll become familiar with the organization of parks. You’ll learn about the roles and functions of the various park staff professions and trades.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

• Explain which large mammals are considered big game and the history of management of these species
• Distinguish between the different principles of big-game management and apply them to sustain healthy big-game populations
• Understand how big-game managers predict future big-game population size based on simple mathematical formulas
• Plan proper season timing and length to sustain big-game populations
• Choose and measure the appropriate harvest rates for sustaining big-game populations
• Describe techniques which use fences, water holes, forest management, and fire to promote healthy big-game populations
• Estimate the population size of an animal species in a given area
• Select the appropriate marking or tagging technique to achieve specific research objectives
• Compare the two orders which contain all big-game animals and the principle characteristics of each
• Understand how life spans and mating ages differ between species
• Describe the food requirements of grizzly, black, and polar bears
• Recognize the kinds of predator that have been reintroduced
• Define the terms predator and predation
• Describe human attitudes toward predators
• Explain the importance of predator management in both wildlife and livestock contexts
• Identify appropriate and legal predator management techniques
• List several management techniques that can prevent or help avoid predation
• Describe how toxins, traps, denning, shooting, and relocation are used to manage predators
• Recognize the signs of predation and identify the predator responsible
• Identify the habits and natural history of important predator species
• Describe how population management is used to control predators
• Explain the techniques used to tranquilize and handle relocated predators

Range management involves two primary tasks: managing the land and the animals that graze on the land. Proper rangeland management is very important because it also influences how wildlife and people use that land. There are numerous types of rangelands that you’ll learn about in this course. However, no matter what kind of rangeland you’re working with, the primary way that you’ll manage this area is by manipulating the animals that use it. In this lesson, you’ll learn about the physical characteristics of rangelands, such as climate and soil properties, as well as plants. In particular, you’ll learn how to measure vegetation so that you can determine the health of a rangeland. You’ll learn how to calculate proper stocking rates. You’ll also learn about the different types of grazing systems, such as continuous grazing and short-term grazing. Knowledge about all of these topics will enable you to manage a rangeland so that animals can be successfully grazed while the rangeland is protected for future use.

Today our forests supply us with many benefits, including wood products. It’s important to understand that forests need to be carefully cared for to preserve their benefits. In this course, you’ll explore the basics of forestry and discover what forests actually are. You’ll look briefly at what they give us and discover how trees and forests grow. You’ll learn how forests are inventoried and how this information is used to make wise resource management decisions. You’ll also be introduced to other professionals who help manage forest resources and see how timber harvesting is used to implement most resource management decisions. You’ll learn about both natural and man-made threats to our forests and how we can decrease these threats. Finally, you’ll learn about the parts of a forest management plan. This plan is vital in allowing landowners to meet their desired objectives.

Forests cover much of the earth and are an important natural resource that humans depend on. While most forests are healthy, there are numerous risk factors that can lead to a decline in forest condition. These risk factors include improper harvesting, insects, disease, pollution, and forest fires. However, because insects and fires play an important role in the forest ecosystem, they mustn’t be completely eliminated. Here, you’ll learn about forest health and how it’s measured. Then, we’ll describe how the detrimental effects of insects, disease, and fire can be minimized in a forest. You’ll learn how certain types of fires are needed to keep forests in a healthy condition. Finally, we’ll discuss how fires are suppressed when they burn out of control and threaten forest health.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

• Differentiate between range management and other natural resource management disciplines
• Discuss the history of range management and land ownership in the United States and how these two factors contribute to current range management practices
• Describe the six major types of rangelands
• List the different properties of soil
• Describe several important range plants and how grazing animals affect these plants
• Describe how vegetation is measured to assess the health of a rangeland
• Describe how to calculate stocking rates
• Determine an appropriate grazing method for a variety of rangeland types
• Describe how livestock grazing can impact riparian areas
• Explain how mulch tillage, crop rotation, and terracing techniques are used to manage rangelands
• Discuss how irrigation systems can maximize water use efficiency
• Describe the factors that make forests unique among vegetation types
• Identify the appropriate forest region characterized by a particular grouping of tree species
• Describe what’s involved in forest inventory
• Analyze forest ecology factors to see how the forest system functions as a unit
• Analyze specific stand (continuous group of trees growing in a region) information and select an appropriate forestry management method to reach the desired objectives
• Identify the appropriate logging system(s) for a given set of objectives and environmental conditions
• Recognize some of the forest damage caused by insects and diseases
• Describe some methods used to combat insects and diseases
• Understand the basic principles of fire control
• Design a simple forest management plan
• Understand how to market timber correctly
• List the primary measurements that are used to determine forest health
• Discuss the harmful effects of insect infestations
• Name several important tree diseases and explain their damaging effects
• Explain how native wildlife can harm a forest
• Describe the circumstances in which a fire can be beneficial to forest health
• Explain current fire suppression policy in North America
• Describe the differences between different types of fires
• Define the term fire regime
• Discuss some important forest fire suppression techniques

This course describes the chief identifying characteristics of the important American species of cold-water game fish, as well as their ecological and habitat requirements. You’ll also learn about assessing fish population, determining how many fish to maintain in the stream, rehabilitating and improving the habitat of cold-water game fish, and fashioning appropriate fishing regulations. Becoming familiar with these procedures will help you understand how to make informed decisions about the improvement of recreational fishing for cold-water fish.

You’ll also learn about managing various species of warm-water game fish in their natural habitats. You’ll first take a close look at several warm-water species. Their requirements and behaviors will help you decide how to set up management programs. You’ll apply this knowledge as you explore how to raise fish in a pond environment, and then how to manage wild fish in their natural environment. Throughout the lesson, various techniques for monitoring and studying fish population will be introduced. Finally, you’ll review how this knowledge can be applied to a career in fish management.

Aquaculture, a kind of underwater agriculture, is the practice of raising fish in a controlled water environment. Aquaculture dates back over 3,000 years ago to Asia, but recently there have been changes in both practice and understanding. In this lesson, you’ll concentrate on currently accepted practices of rearing fish in cold-water and in warm-water environments. Starting with basic aquaculture or hatchery requirements, such as matching the water needs of the species of fish that you intend to rear with the water sources available, you’ll then examine the operation and maintenance of hatcheries. Then, you’ll learn the proper management of the different life phases of fish, from adult care and spawning, to egg incubation, and rearing fish to be saleable products. Finally, you’ll consider fish health management and safe delivery of a healthy product to the consumer

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

• Identify the most important species of cold-water fish and report on their basic ecological requirements
• Determine the suitability of stream and lake or pond habitats for cold-water fish
• Identify the principal environmental factors causing the degradation of cold-water fish populations and their habitats
• Use methods for estimating fish populations
• Select appropriate remedies for cold-water fishery problems
• Identify common warm-water game fish species, and explain how their biology affects their management
• Recognize management objectives for wild warm-water fisheries, including management of habitats and fish populations
• Understand techniques for monitoring and studying fish populations, including measuring, tagging, and age determination
• Describe some options for careers in fish management
• Explain the water needs of both cold-water fish and warm-water fish
• Describe fish-rearing practices
• Understand how a fish hatchery is operated and maintained
• Recognize the features of proper fish health management

Every country in the world faces important conservation challenges. Thus, the topic of international conservation is quite broad. Because it would be impossible for us to cover conservation issues for every country in one study unit, we’ll focus on those areas of the world in which most of our students live. Therefore, this study unit will introduce you to the conservation efforts taking place in the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Canada. For each country, you’ll learn about basic geographical and climatic conditions, the people who live there, the major industries that support the economy, and the plants and animals native to the area.

The most important concept you’ll learn about in this lesson is sustainable development, which is the use of natural resources in a way that can be continued far into the future.

Whether you’re a biologist, forester, or trail worker, you need to learn how to prepare yourself for working in the field. Careful planning and common sense are the key elements for your success. Always plan for conservation of energy and resources. You never know when you might be confronted with a survival situation. You’ll learn how to plan a field trip according to:

• Trip duration
• Weather conditions
• Personnel involved

Other subjects covered will be the type of gear needed for good communication/personal safety and low-impact (causing little harm to the environment) camping techniques. You’ll also learn about orienteering techniques (using a map and compass to navigate [determine position, course, and distance traveled] between points on an unfamiliar course) as well as what you should do when faced with a hazard, whether it’s a bear or hypothermia.

Although pleasurable, outdoor fieldwork does have some risks. The proper training and equipment will help you minimize these risks. The purpose of this lesson is to introduce you to the basic tools for conducting fieldwork. We emphasize throughout the lesson that it’s your responsibility to gain as much training as you possibly can. This is especially true when it comes to first aid. Under no circumstances should you spend an extended amount of time in the field without proper medical training. Although you’ll be introduced to some first aid techniques as part of your basic training here, you should try to receive additional training on your own.

We’ll also go over the responsibilities of the wildlife law enforcement officer, employment opportunities in law enforcement, and the kinds of law that must be enforced. For these tasks, your primary learning tool will be your textbook, Wildlife Law Enforcement by William F. Sigler. You should also read the Wildlife Law Enforcement supplement, which gives you materials that clarify and illustrate what’s found in your textbook.

In this program, you’ve learned about a variety of topics, from the management of animals as different as big game and waterfowl, to rangeland and forestry management. In this practical exercise, you’ll study, measure, and report the ecological characteristics of an area near where you live. As you complete this exercise, you’ll gain experience identifying the basic components of an ecological system and learn some basic data-reporting techniques. You’ll write descriptions, make measurements, perform simple experiments, and attempt to learn the common and scientific names of the plants and animals living in your study site.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

• Define the term sustainable development and explain its importance for international conservation
• Name several major international conservation groups and agencies, and list their conservation goals
• Describe the basic geography and climate of each of the countries covered in this study unit
• Describe the effects of population density and distribution on conservation issues in each country
• Explain how the availability of natural resources affects conservation issues in various countries
• Plan and organize an outdoor fieldwork trip
• Determine the appropriate mode of transportation
• Use a map and compass to calculate distances and directions
• Assess upcoming weather patterns
• Determine the appropriate mode of communication
• Prepare for outdoor emergencies
• Prepare yourself and crew members for attack by a bear or mountain lion
• Choose appropriate gear for your trip
• Administer basic first aid care (including treatment of hypothermia and heat-related health problems)
• Understand the historic roles and responsibilities of law enforcement officers in the field of wildlife law management
• Find employment opportunities with the state and federal agencies that hire law enforcement officers
• Know under what circumstances a motor vehicle can be searched
• Determine whether a violation of wildlife law has occurred and when an arrest is justified
• Recognize different kinds of evidence
• Conduct yourself appropriately in a court appearance
• Appreciate both the rights of individuals and the jurisdiction of federal and state wildlife management agencies
• Indicate how the laws and customs of European wildlife management systems differ from those in the United States
• Describe how Native American hunting rights differ from those of other citizens of the United States
• Discuss firearm requirements, regulations, and training
• Identify different plant and animal species in your local area
• Collect and analyze biological data
• Graph data and interpret overall patterns
• Assess the relationship among different living organisms and nonliving objects
• Propose hypotheses after observing an ecological system
• Plan simple experiments to test hypotheses