The Great Plains--covering five US states and two Canadian provinces--is home to classic North American wildlife and some of the most majestic views on earth. In this installment of the Wildlife Tours series, we will explore the conservation issues in this region and the many animals that call the plains home.

Topics covered include (minor changes may occur based on student interest):
1) The geography and ecology of the Northern Great Plains
2) Case studies of several species such as plains bison, prairie dogs, black-footed ferrets, sage grouse, and pronghorns.
3) Interactions between these species, with a focus on keystone species (bison and prairie dogs)
4) Threats to the plains, including climate change and agricultural development

This class will be an interactive lecture using slides, photos, and videos, as well as discussions throughout the class.