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Harvard First-Year Seminar Program

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2023 First-Year Seminar 21w (fall)A student cores a tree as part of the Freshman Seminar course
Research at the Harvard Forest: Global Change Ecology-Forests, Ecosystem Function, the Future

(Browse photos from the course.)

This course explores state-of-the-art research, tools and measurements used to investigate and predict climate change through ongoing studies at the Harvard Forest’s 4,000-acre outdoor laboratory in Petersham, MA. The seminar consists of three weekend-long field trips (Friday evening-Sunday) to the Harvard Forest, and a final mini-symposium at the Forest. Students develop skills for evaluating, discussing, and presenting the ecological evidence for climate change, including feedbacks between forests and the atmosphere and long-term impacts on forest ecosystems. Note: Transportation, accommodations, and meals at the Harvard Forest will be provided.

Check out a 2023 spotlight about the course by the Harvard University's Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability

Professor Dave Orwig (left) discusses data with Freshman Seminar students

Freshman Seminar students (2022) stand atop a research tower at the Prospect Hill tract\