Spring 2011 and Spring 2013 The main focus of this class is the production and harvesting of three non-timber forest products; honey, mushrooms, and maple syrup. Through this we learn about the production aspect responsibility for each phase of the “business”. Every student in this class is viewed as an employee and work hours are required each week as the grade.

Spring 2012 My independent study was broad, but also contained a lot of subjects that I was passionate about. I learned more in depth about medicinal herbs, and local medicinal herbs. I read and taught myself about tincturing herbs and as a research group we made elderberry syrup. I also did a self-propelled project on kombucha (pictured). I researched the best way methods in order to make and yield a good kombucha batch and ran a few trials throughout the semester.

Fall 2012 We focused upon outdoor skills most specifically with backpacking, including LNT principles, and rock climbing. This included class periods getting us ready for a weekend backpacking trip along with learning how to properly lead a group in the wilderness. Rock climbing classes focused upon proper climbing techniques, climbing styles, belaying, and knots.

Fall 2011

Spring 2011 We explored different ways in which we can utilize maps and geography to better manage a forested area. This course also explored the different ways to view management in both a forested and urban area. The emphasis of land management in this class was based upon resiliency and the forests ability to adapt. We explored the human and non-human stress factors on a forest and current land use and landscape change research.

Fall 2010 Semester long Ithaca College course entitled Belize: Rainforests, Reefs, and Ruins, followed by a three week trip to Belize focusing upon these topics as well as traditional healing/medicine and caving. We spent most of the two weeks living in eco-lodging as well as two nights with a home stay family.

Plants in Medicine and Agriculture Fall 2010 Exploring the roles of plants in both modern and indigenous societies as medicine and food source, this class incorporated both the scientific and cultural reasoning behind this. Through field trips, lectures, and a final ethnographic project, we investigated the connection with people and plants and the importance of this connection. We studied the different genes and families of plants and plant defenses.

Spring 2010 The class focuses on a holistic view of the forest and managing it for several purposes. We were managing the forest for ourselves, for the future, for the wildlife, for the trees, ecosystems, adaptation, resilience, humans, preservation. We utilized local Ithaca forests to better understand these systems and practice land management ideas and connect with the system we were hoping to manage.