Instructor(s):

Mr. Ted Barney, 519-586-3531 ext. 151, tbarney@longpointwaterfowl.org
Dr. Mike Schummer, 519-586-3531 ext. 152, mschummer@longpointwater.org
Dr. Scott Petrie, 519-586-3531 ext. 118, spetrie@longpointwaterfowl.org

Dates:

NOT OFFERED IN 2013

Location:

Long Point Waterfowl Research & Education Centre, Turkey Point, ON
( http://longpointwaterfowl.org/research-and-education-centre/about-the-rec/ )

Cost:

$500. [$250 deposit to home university; $250 balance] Travel to and from Turkey Point and field equipment (e.g. field guides, waders, rain gear) not included. Course fee includes 7 nights accommodation, meals, and all in-course travel.

Prerequisites :

Students should normally be entering the 3 rd and 4 th year of a Biology or Zoology program.

Enrolment:

16 students (12 for OUPFB; 4 for University of Western Ontario)

Description:

This is a one-week course taught in and around the globally important coastal wetland complex associated with Long Point in southwestern Ontario. Students will learn about ecological processes and the importance of natural and man-made wetlands to humans and the animals that inhabit them by listening to lectures and through participating in several field trips to local wetlands and wetland rehabilitation, creation, and restoration projects. We also will introduce concepts regarding how man-made wetlands are created and managed for wildlife and specifically discuss basic waterbird and waterfowl management activities. Basic monitoring and research/sampling techniques will be taught and demonstrated for marsh-inhabiting wildlife and plants. Students also will actively participate in group-based data collection and summarization by conducting point counts for marsh-birds, trapping amphibians, and sampling aquatic invertebrates and plants. Upon completion of this course, students will have gained a greater understanding of wetland and waterbird ecology and management and of the conservation, research, and monitoring activities of various government and non-government organizations in southern Ontario.

Evaluation:

Field notebook, including wildlife lists 15%
Plant collection 15%
Aquatic invertebrate collection 15%
Field participation 15%
Final Exam 40%