An intensive 6-day series of field exercises, site visits, and on-site discussions before the start of Fall term courses. This course involves low student/faculty ratios and is designed to improve integrative, observational, and interpretive skills with respect to environmental conditions, including water, wildlife, and forest resources, and the social context in which they are valued and used. Evening sessions provide opportunity for debate and discussion of challenging contemporary environmental issues. Students are charged for food, lodging and part of travel costs.