This class will examine the role of public lands throughout history and the need and ways to advocate for these lands with inclusive dialogue.
We are delighted to be able to share a curriculum on public lands and waters in the United States developed by The Wilderness Society. To be accurate and complete, our understanding must include a recognition that the network of public lands we have today was Indigenous land long before the United States become a nation. When we talk about decisions made to protect public lands, we must place those decisions in the broader historical and social context in which they were made, and acknowledge that the story of public lands includes some of the most controversial and troubling aspects of American history.
This course will focus on federal, Colorado, and Boulder County public lands. Course goals are to connect participants to the natural landscapes on our public lands, to build a more complete and accurate understanding of the history and context surrounding public lands and the movement to protect them, to recognize that the public lands we love today were once Indigenous lands and the actions taken to "conserve" them have sometimes benefitted only select interests. We will then be able to use these understandings of our public lands and their history to improve our abilities to advocate both for these lands and for more inclusive dialogue and equitable decision-making.
The course will run for 6 weeks from February 2 - March 9, 2021. We will gather weekly online for real-time activities and discussions. There will also be individual elements to be completed independently between class meetings. Individual components will include activities such as reading, preparing your ideas to share with the class, researching a particular public land, and taking a self-guided field trip.
To give everyone the best possible learning opportunity, please plan to attend all sessions, complete the course work as best you can, and contribute to the discussion in good faith. This course is not based on passive listening to lectures, but on group discussion.
Meeting dates:
- Tuesday, February 2 at 7-8:15 pm
- Tuesday, February 9 at 7-8:15 pm
- Tuesday, February 16 at 7-8:15 pm
- Monday, February 22 at 7-8:15 pm
- Tuesday, March 2 at 7-8:15 pm
- Tuesday, March 9 at 7-8:15 pm
Needed for this course:
You will need to be able to connect to the class using Zoom with video. Since we will be doing breakout sessions and writing during the class, you need a screen large enough to see class participants and slides. A laptop is preferred; a phone will be difficult to use because the screen is so small. You also need a wired or wireless connection that supports Zoom.
We will provide a course website with links to the materials needed before each class. You may wish to print advance readings or you may prefer to use some links during class in a separate window or second screen.
