Summer Environmental Law Intensive

Legal Ecology:
Urban Biodiversity and the Law

This two-week intensive alternates between classroom sessions and day trips to field sites around the Portland metropolitan area to investigate urban biodiversity issues. Transportation to field sites will be provided.

This course provides an introduction to basic urban ecosystem function and the legal regimes that govern urban ecosystems and their components. Topics the class covers include the intersection between science and law in formulating and implementing urban natural resources policy and ecosystem management; examples of local, state, and national legal regimes governing biodiversity conservation and management in urban areas; issues surrounding real and perceived conflicts between humans and wildlife; and the variety of regulatory and non-regulatory means to protect biodiversity in urban environments.

The course combines classroom lectures and discussion with field investigations at a variety of sites with ecological and/or cultural significance. Tuition includes van transportation from Portland to the field sites. The field investigations involve some hiking over rough terrain and similar physical activities. Please notify instructors if you need special accommodations.
This class is offered credit/no credit unless special arrangements are made with the instructors by June 30.

Space is limited. Students should register by June 6 to hold a place.

Professors Dan Rohlf, Lewis & Clark, and Bob Sallinger, Audubon Society of Portland, 2 semester hours.