This class will provide an introduction to some of the common trees of California and some of the nonnative species planted on the Berkeley campus. We will learn characteristic traits of these species, their functions in ecosystems, and general tree identification skills that can be applied to other ecosystems. Beyond that, we aim to increase awareness about ecology, ecosystems, and people, including Indigenous land management, history of California ecosystems, and current land-management issues. This knowledge will contextualize the technical skills of tree identification both socially and politically and will help students develop a well-rounded appreciation for ecosystem-human interactions.

Class will meet outdoors each week. Attendance will be recorded for participation, although all reasonable absences will be excused, and there will be a brief group quiz each week as well as Midterm and Final quizzes on bCourses, which will allow unlimited attempts. There is a brief presentation on a tree species of choice at the end of the semester.

Syllabus is at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zWueW9kJnST6tlIxwbJv-oOfs3Wu4c8NfrZ0sro0Gqo/edit?usp=share_link

Enrollment is open on CalCentral. We have two separate sections, each with the same material but offered at a different time on Wednesdays. Wednesdays 2-3:30 is course #27550, and Wednesdays 4-5:30 is course #27551