Course Description

Plants surround us every day, providing a green backdrop to our daily lives, but they are providing more than a pretty landscape. This course highlights important ecosystems throughout the Greater Toronto Area, and identifies the major plant groups that define them. This course provides a foundation in hands-on plant identification skills through field, laboratory, and independent activities and explores some traditional and modern uses of native and introduced plants. We apply principles of ecology, conservation, and global change in the context of urban and suburban ecosystems, and learn how to be more environmentally responsible and engaged citizens. Note: students enrolling in this course should expect to spend a significant amount of time outdoors in both group and independent settings.