Minnesota is known for its forests, and with good reason: it is the confluence of two major forest biomes, the deciduous and coniferous. Learn what makes a tree, how to identify different species, the natural and human history of Minnesota’s diverse forest communities, forest management, and animal and human forest use. The forests we see today are the results of many decisions- by humans and other animals, whether to cut, whether to eat. One goal of the course is to understand what we see, based on the history of diverse actions, and plan our management on the basis of many options. Our field days may coincide with maple syruping season at Osprey Wilds. Learn about the process and participate in the selection and tapping of trees and collecting and cooking sap (nature willing). Practice tree identification skills and view actual forest management.