READING THE ELWHA: TRACING THE DYNAMICS OF LANDSCAPE CHANGE
LARCH 498A/598A_SUMMER 2012 B TERM_4 CREDITS

ONE WEEK FIELD COURSE IN THE ELWHA RIVER WATERSHED _ JULY 23-27
INFORMATION MEETING: Monday, April 30th @ 1230pm in Gould 208J – architecture main office (see attachment)

THERE IS A LIMIT OF FIFTEEN (15) SPACES, so be sure and go to the information meeting.

Located on the Olympic Peninsula, the Elwha River and the watershed through which it drains, is steeped in the social and cultural histories of local Native American tribes, Euro-American settlement and subsequent development within the region. Once supporting one of the most productive runs of salmon on the Olympic Peninsula, two dams were constructed on the river in the early 20th! century. Removal of both dams began in September 2011 and will continue for the next two years.

Reading the Elwha is a 5-day intensive field based course tracing the biophysical and social dynamics of the watershed over the past 150 years, and explore the potential impacts the removal of the dams will have on the ecologies of the region. The class will meet with agencies and individuals engaged in the dam removal project, and through daily hikes and semi-structured activities read and record their experiences in the watershed.

Students will be camping at designated sites and are asked to bring their own provisions. Transportation will be provided. One pre_trip planning session will be held on July 19th.

For more information, please email: kyocom@uw.edu or visit  http://courses.be.washington.edu/LARCH/498a/index.html