Introduction to U.S. Wildlife Policy
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides a thorough introduction to wildlife policy in the United States. First, students will learn about the motivations behind policy, who creates policy, and why policy is important for wildlife biologists and scientists. Students will also learn about how policy is implemented and enforced in practice and about the different agencies involved. The course also covers several specific wildlife policies that are influential in the United States. Specific policies we will cover include The Lacey Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and others. Throughout the course, we will discuss how these policies influence wildlife management initiatives and vice versa. Students will be asked to think critically and discuss their thoughts in a number of discussion board posts and complete quizzes to gauge their understanding of the material.
PREREQUISITES
No prerequisites are required for this course.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Textbook: Freyfogle, Eric & Dale Goble. 2009. Wildlife Law - A Primer.
Various papers and resources will be introduced throughout the course and uploaded directly to Canvas
Instructor
Dr. Michelle Benedum
Policy Analyst and Consultation Biologist
COURSE FORMATS, CREDITS, DATES, & PRICING
FORMAT: Reach out to your instructor for help with course materials as you work through prerecorded lectures and exercises. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, attending group meetings, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course materials, your research, datasets from work, etc. You will have access to course materials for the 3-month term. After working through 8 modules, set up an optional meeting with the instructor to discuss your own personal project from work or school.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all assignments to receive a CWS certificate of course completion, which can be submitted to TWS for CEUs. See our Continuing Education Page for more details about CEUs with TWS.
TWS CERTIFICATION: Participants that pass the course can use this 1-credit course in their application to certify as a Wildlife Biologist® with TWS. See our Professional Certification Page for more details about ESA and TWS certification.
*** This version of the course can NOT be used to earn academic credit from your college or university or to earn a professional certificate with CWS. See the PREMIUM format below ***
DATES & PRICES:
Fall: Sept 3 - Nov 24 (early bird* ends Aug 5): $500 professional / $400 student
*Early bird saves $50
FORMAT: Reach out to your instructor for help with course materials as you work through prerecorded lectures and exercises. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, attending group meetings, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course materials, your research, datasets from work, etc. You will have access to course materials for 1 year. After working through 8 modules, set up an optional meeting with the instructor to discuss your own personal project from work or school.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all assignments to receive a CWS certificate of course completion, which can be submitted to TWS for CEUs. See our Continuing Education Page for more details about CEUs with TWS.
TWS CERTIFICATION: Participants that pass the course can use this 1-credit course in their application to certify as a Wildlife Biologist® with TWS. See our Professional Certification Page for more details about ESA and TWS certification.
ACADEMIC CREDIT: This 1-credit course can be taken with pre-approval from an administrator at a your college or university. For an additional fee, students also have the option to complete an Applied Project for an additional 1-2 academic credits (earning up to 2-3 academic credits in total). See our Academic Credit Page for details.
DATES & PRICES:
Fall: Sept 3 - Nov 24 (early bird* ends Aug 5): $600 professional / $500 student
*Early bird saves $50
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Describe the levels of government involvement in U.S. wildlife policy.
Differentiate between types of laws and policies.
Assess the motivations behind a wildlife policy and how this guides the output.
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Describe the different actors and their missions/responsibilities as it relates to wildlife policy.
Determine which actors are involved in different situations and why.
Assess the limitations of agency involvement in policy.
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Describe the Lacey Act and its purpose.
Explain the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the actors involved.
Describe the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and assess its effectiveness.
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Determine whether a species warrants listing or de-listing from the ESA
Assess critical habitat designations
Describe few of the lesser known ESA species in the United States
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Describe the purpose of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the species it covers, and the actors involved
Explain the purpose Magunson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), how it originated, and what protections it offers species.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Full scholarships are available to participants from countries designated as “lower income” and “lower middle income” in the World Bank List of Economies. Please see our CWS World Scholars Program page for details.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations 30 days or more before the start date are not subject to cancellation fees. Cancellations <30 days before the start date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds once the course begins.