Thank you for your interest in the ENVS 461 Wilderness Policy & Practice Course for Spring 2022. This form is intended to capture information about potential enrollees and to ensure that you have all of the information needed to decide if this course is a good fit. This course needs 10 participants to run, but we will have to be selective with the course seats (due to logistical constraints of running an expedition-based lab section).

Course fee: $250, covers Spring Break Field Expedition trip expenses

The first round of applications closed December 10th, but we have a space open for 1-2 more students. These second round applications will be reviewed and confirmed as they come in, and students must enroll before the end of add/drop (January 24, 2022).  Enrollment instructions will be sent via email to confirmed students.

Pre-Spring Break:
Course meets Tuesday mornings from 9-11am in the Outing Rental Center (130 S. Linden St., across the street from Cary St. Gym). Class topics will include an introduction to public land management in the United States, and history of federal policy making surrounding wilderness throughout the 20th and 21st century. We will also cover some information about the creation of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness, the largest unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System east of the Rocky Mountains. Then, we will begin to prepare for our expedition to the Everglades region of Florida. Trip prep will happen during course time, but will also require an out-of-class meeting during the week before the trip to pack the van.

The Trip:
This course includes a mandatory spring break trip to the Everglades (based in and around Everglades City, FL). Students will interact with local land managers, indigenous tribal representatives, and tourism operators to provide more context to their in-class studies. The land-based portion of the trip will feature day-trips and camping at front-country campgrounds, with access to restrooms and cell phone service. The expeditionary component of the trip will be a 3-4 day, 2-3 night sea kayaking expedition in the Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife refuge/Everglades National Park Wilderness Waterway. This portion of the trip will be a backcountry expedition, paddling sea kayaks up to 10 miles per day in calm sea waters. The backcountry portion of the trip will have access to pit/portable toilets and will not have reliable cell phone service. OAP trip leaders have expeditionary experience, wilderness medicine training and will carry a satellite messaging device, in addition to other trip-specific risk management procedures. OAP provides ground transportation, most equipment, food (sans travel days) and entry to parks/museums. Students will be responsible for bringing items on the packing list (primarily clothing and personal items). While on the trip, students can expect to have structured and unstructured class discussions, write journal entries, and complete other assignments; including group living tasks such as cooking, cleaning and navigating.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with ever-changing conditions to continue to provide experiential learning while also considering personal and public health. As of November 4th, 2021, domestic travel for academic purposes is currently permitted. Fully vaccinated students are not required to get a COVID-19 test or quarantine before or after the trip, but are welcome to do so at their own discretion. Unvaccinated students will need to complete pre and post travel testing and quarantine, as directed by VCU Student Health. Therefore, it is highly recommended that students consider vaccination prior to enrolling in this course. Here is a link to the One VCU: Responsible Together list of what is expected of VCU students when it comes to COVID-19.
Masks will be required whenever social distancing is not an inherent part of our activity (i.e in a building, on the sea kayaks, etc.), or when 10 feet of distance cannot be maintained outside. If you have any additional questions about the safety protocols to your specific trip or activity, please feel free to contact course instructor, Christina Spohn, at spohncl@vcu.edu or at (804) 827-8747.

Medical History, Medications and Allergies:
OAP trip leaders have wilderness medical training and certifications.  It is important for us to be aware of any pre-existing medical conditions, medications you are taking, and any allergies that you may have.  It is critical that we know this information before we are in the backcountry.  It is your responsibility to notify trip leaders of any medical issues you may have.  This information will be confidential and is for your safety.
 
Group/Expedition Travel Philosophy:
On all OAP trips, we travel and participate in activities as a group.  We make every attempt to cater to individual requests, needs and goals.  Ultimately, we will make decisions in the interest of safety, the “common good” and on the basis of “majority rules.”
 
Alcohol and Illegal Substances:
OAP activities are sanctioned VCU events.  Therefore, in accordance with campus’s Alcohol and Other Drug Policy, alcohol, cannabis, and illegal substances are not permitted on OAP trips and activities.  Furthermore, on OAP trips, alcohol and illegal substances become a safety issue for our high adventure activities.  An altered mindset is a safety issue for the entire group and is not tolerated.  We appreciate your cooperation.

Travel:
From Richmond,VA to Everglades City, FL is about a 17 hour drive. We will be leaving early Saturday Morning from the Outing Rental Center. All meals will be provided by the OAP once we actually get to Florida but on the drive down and on the way back you will be on your own for food.  Plan to bring money for snacks and meals on the road.

Preliminary Itinerary Outline

Sat 3/5 - Depart early from OAP. Drive all day, make camp outside of Everglades City.
Sun 3/6 - Gulf Coast Visitor Center / pre-trip packing
Mon 3/7 - Launch sea kayaks for expedition day 1 - sea kayaking through the Ten Thousand Islands - Wilderness Waterway of Everglades National Park
Tue 3/8 - Expedition day 2 - camping on islands/chickees
Wed 3/9- Expedition day 3 - camping on islands/chickees
Thu 3/10- Expedition day 4 - paddle back to Gulf Coast Visitor Center
Fri 3/11 - Big Cypress Visitor Center /Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
Sat 3/12 -  Babcock ranch / Begin drive back
Sun 3/15 – Return to Richmond and de-rig the trip

Post-Trip:
When we come back to Richmond, we will continue to meet for class on Tuesday mornings, and will reflect on our excellent adventure and learning experiences from our Everglades trip. This course does not have a final exam, rather, a final project. Exact course dates and topics will be finalized closer to the beginning of the semester and will be listed on the syllabus, which will be distributed on the first day of class.

Questions?
Christina Spohn, Outdoor Adventure Program Coordinator and CES Adjunct Instructor
Office hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 10am - 5pm | spohncl@vcu.edu | (804) 827-8747