Conservation Biology        A conservation biologist is a problem-solver who applies tools from disparate fields – e.g., evolutionary biology, genetics, ecology, paleontology, anthropology, and population biology – to address complex real-world dilemmas of relevance to human, wildlife, and ecosystem health. To effectively leverage their data, conservation biologists must also recognize and navigate government regulations, diverse cultural practices, and stakeholder perceptions. This course is international in scope. Emphasis will be placed on current issues such as species reintroduction, detecting extinction, rewilding, novel ecosystems, protected area design, shifting baselines, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change. This course will require engagement with community partners in independent research.

Mountain Ecology In this course we will examine western mountain ranges (Sierra Nevada, Rocky Mountains, and Cascades) and National Parks (e.g., Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, and Yosemite). These exceptional landscapes will serve as the backdrop for exploring geology, climate, ecology, and natural history of forested and alpine environments. Through lecture, readings, videos, and individual/group activities, we will cover topics including altitude and adaptations, mountains as hotspots for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and effects of climate change on species and habitats. The instructor will share personal experience from releasing wolves into the Idaho wilderness to leading recovery efforts for endangered species, as well as decades of collaborating with federal and state agencies on species of concern and watershed and habitat management issues.  Ray Vizgirdas is a retired biologist with more than 30 years with the US Forest Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service in California and Idaho. He is also adjunct faculty at Boise State and Northwest Nazarene universities in Idaho teaching advanced and graduate level courses in biology and environmental sciences. /

Raymond Vizgirdas

Reviews and ratings for Raymond Vizgirdas at Middlebury College.Raymond Vizgirdas teaches Conservation Biology, Mountain Ecology and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Raymond Vizgirdas good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

I came in with high expectations since the course description seemed really cool, but the class was honestly pretty boring. Most of the concepts were really basic, which made the class 
easier, but the lectures were also just so repetitive. We did some projects that were more interesting, but some of the labs were sort of unnecessary/could've been structured better. There wasn't much work and it does count as an elective for the Biology major, but I don't know if I would take the course again.