Honors Environmental Biology (ZOO 121H) is a University Foundation course aimed at non-science majors. The class is presented as a problem solving course, and presents information in ways that encourages critical thinking about the issues we face.  My goal for the students is to provide them with a “toolbox” of information that they can use to make decisions about the way to approach everyday activities, what to buy in the stores, and who to vote for on election day.  I don’t tell them what the right or wrong choices are, but rather teach them how to use environmental science in their lives to make those choices. Finally, I emphasize to the students that whereas I am “an” educator,  they are “the” educators. Solutions for environmental problems will come from these students as they enter society as educated consumers and voters and by teaching others how/why they make the decisions they have made.

The Nature Sit activity originated when I taught a large section of the course (80-100 students). In that case, getting students out to see the natural world is difficult because a traditional nature walk is not suitable for such large numbers. Combined with the facts that most students do not spend appreciable amounts of time outdoors, very few go camping, and extremely few have ever spent time alone in the woods, I thought the idea of a Nature Sit would be appropriate. Plus, by holding still and staying silent, typically within about 20 minutes, the woods come to you.  Thus, the idea is to have the students sit silently and alone in the woods without the benefit of anything electronic (music, phones, etc) for at least an hour.  During this time, they can write their thoughts, observe their surroundings, take pictures, close their eyes and listen, etc.  Many students go into the exercise as skeptics, but most come away finding it to be a very rewarding experience. After the first few times we did the exercise, I began putting together (when time allowed) the Nature Sit web sites to show people what we do.

Of all the classed I have taught, ZOO121.H is my favorite. The students who enroll in the class are outstanding, interested in learning, and are engaged in academics and in life.  I always look forward to lectures and discussions, and the students always impress me with their talents. It is great.