Date

Summer Course Announcement
Arctic Field Ecology
University of Minnesota
Itasca Field Biology Program
26 July - 18 August 2005

For further information, please contact the instructors:
Bill Gould, landscape ecologist
E-mail: wgould [at] fs.fed.us

Grizelle Gonzalez, soil ecologist
ggonzalez [at] fs.fed.us


OVERVIEW
Arctic Field Ecology is offered by the University of Minnesota Itasca
Field Biology Program and sponsored by the National Science Foundation
and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. The course
integrates research, education, and traditional ecological knowledge. In
summer 2005, the class will visit a number of sites along a climatic
gradient in the Canadian Arctic. Participants will investigate the
variation in ecosystem pattern and process from the high to the low
Arctic.

As a first step, participants will establish a research camp on Ellef
Ringnes Island in the High Arctic. Here, students will work with an
integrated group of scientists on the project "Biocomplexity of Frost
Boil Ecosystems."

For further information on the project, please go to:
http://www.geobotany.uaf.edu/cryoturbation/

While on Ellef Ringnes, students will have the opportunity to work and
learn in the field with soil scientists, climatologists, and vegetation
and ecosystem ecologists involved in the project. Students will also
briefly visit research sites established over the past two years on
Banks Island and on Prince Patrick Island.

Following the visit to the High Arctic, participants will establish a
7-10 day youth-elder-science camp in the Bathurst Inlet area of the
central Canadian Arctic. The goal of this camp will be to learn about
the arctic landscape from the diverse perspectives of elders and
scientists and to explore ways to share both traditional and scientific
ecological knowledge with Inuit youth.

COURSE SPECIFICS
Itinerary: Six students and staff will arrive in Inuvik, Canada by 26
July 2005. Travel will be by charter flight to Ellef Ringnes from
Inuvik. Participants will return to Inuvik on 9 August 2005 and fly
commercially to Yellowknife, Canada. From there participants will
charter to Bathurst Inlet and return to Yellowknife on 18 August 2005.
Dates are subject to minor changes.

Credits Offered: Five through the University of Minnesota

Course Cost: $3000 USD, which includes tuition, food, nonpersonal
camping supplies, and all charter costs. Commercial flight cost will not
be covered by course fees.

For further information, please contact the instructors:
Bill Gould, landscape ecologist
E-mail: wgould [at] fs.fed.us

Grizelle Gonzalez, soil ecologist
ggonzalez [at] fs.fed.us

Applications are available from:
http://www.muskox.com/acrobat/app_arctic.pdf