Geography 200 provides an introduction to human populations, natural resources, environmental and resource use ethics, environmental impacts, and strategies to resolve envrionmental confilcts.  Current environmental issues are focused on in class. Topics considered include the history of conservation, population dynamics, soil conservation, biodiversity, air and water pollution, climate change, resource use and sustainability, and energy resources.  Students are required to complete news article reviews in which they critically assess a current event related to the course.  Depending on the course section, students participate in class discussions focusing on a case study.

The objectives of the course are to give the student an understanding of the fundamental principles of the natural environment, our role within nature and the impacts our actions have on nature.  Current environmental issues are examined and discussed in class so that students are aware of concerns facing not only the Wisconsin/Minnesota region, but also our nation and the world.

Geography 200 fulfills a General Education requirement for one course under Liberal Studies Component B, International and Multicultural Studies: Becoming World Citizens

Cunningham, W.P. and Cunningham, M.A. (2006).  Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry and Applications, 3th ed., Boston: McGraw-Hill.

Environmental Conservation: A Basic Definition:  The use of the environment to sustain the greatest possible diversity of life while ensuring for humanity the physical and biological basis for continued well-being.
This Implies:
1. Use resources wisely.  Recognize limits.
2. Have an obligation to those who follow.
3. Need to balance economic considerations and other variables such as: biodiversity, aesthetics, rights of others (including species), etc.
4. Recognize that in any environment, ALL things are tied together (“systems”).
5. Conserve, protect, preserve.
6. Educate, Legislate, Administrate.

American Rivers
Conservation International
Ducks Unlimited
Earth Island Institute
Environmental Defense
Greenpeace USA
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Mississippi Valley Conservancy
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
National Resources Defense Council
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Rachel Carson Organization
Sierra Club
The Nature Conservancy
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change
US Bureau of Land Management
US Census Bureau
US Environmental Protection Agency
US Forest Service
US Park Service
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
World Watch Institute