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Location: RMNA Field Seminar Center, 1895 Fall River Road, Estes Park, Colorado Time: Course Description: Coyotes are one of the country’s most successful and resourceful predators. Often misunderstood and maligned, the coyote’s impact on our everyday life is profound. Explore the country’s second largest canine’s natural history, Native American stories, its discovery by Lewis and Clark, and expansion to the east. We’ll look at the coyote’s anatomy and biology to examine why it’s one of the most common predators in the United States. We’ll go into Rocky Mountain National Park to study coyote habitat, social structure, and interactions with the ecosystem, prey, and mankind. We’ll also learn how wolves could impact our coyotes in the future. Course Level: II Short-distance walks through the day on primarily level terrain Brief Instructor Biography (additional information available at www.rmna.org): Jared Gricoskie owns and operates Yellow Wood Guiding in Estes Park, specializing in nature tours and photo safaris in Rocky Mountain National Park. Since graduating from Penn State in 2002 with a degree in environmental interpretation, he has worked as a professional naturalist from Colorado to New York and Michigan to Texas, including a season with the National Park Service on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. Jared has spent the past several years exploring and researching the flora and fauna of the Rocky Mountains, always looking for more wonders in the natural world to share with others. Expectations: Professional conduct will be expected from participants at all times. Respect for individual ideas will be observed. Except during course breaks, cellular phones, pagers, and personal entertainment devices are strictly prohibited in the classroom and during field sessions. Car-pooling: Rocky Mountain Field Seminars courses utilize car-pooling to limit vehicles traveling into the Park. Car-pooling makes it easier to keep the group together, reduces transit time, and allows courses greater access because fewer parking spaces are required at destinations. In addition, it provides an opportunity for participants to discuss course material in small groups during transit. Typically, a few participants from each course volunteer the use of their vehicles for car-pooling to course locations. Tentative Course Schedule: What to Bring: ? Sack lunch, snacks, energy bars, Water ? Your favorite wildlife guide ? Binoculars and camera 10 Essentials: Rocky Mountain National Park recommends that hikers always carry the 10 essentials in their daypacks. Raingear Map and compass Flashlight or headlamp Sunglasses and sunscreen Candles Matches or other fire starter Extra food, WATER First-aid kit Pocketknife Extra layers of clothing Note: Even in the summer months, nighttime temperature can go below freezing at high elevation. Rocky Mountain Field Seminars recommends that participants dress in layers and wear comfortable, sturdy hiking boots. Hiking boots need to be high-tops that cover your ankles and that are well broken-in. Participants should be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and weather conditions. Teacher Recertification Credit: Most courses are eligible for teacher recertification credit through the Centennial Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES). The fee is $25.00 per seminar (.5 unit) or $25.00 per series of threaded seminars (1.0 - 3.0 units). A list of threaded seminars can be found online at www.rmna.org. Participants must enroll in all seminars of a threaded series in order to qualify for the $25.00 multi-unit fee. Please be prepared to pay for this credit with a check, made payable to BOCES, on the first day of a seminar or on the final day of a threaded series of seminars. |