Oklahoma Biological Survey Campuses

The G. M. Sutton Avian Research Center in Bartlesville specializes in ornithology, delivering courses centered on bird conservation and research in northeastern Oklahoma's grasslands and woodlands.

• Avian Taxonomy and Identification: Field courses on recognizing Oklahoma's 400+ bird species, using calls, plumage, and migration patterns, with banding techniques for individual tracking.
• Bird Behavior and Ecology: Studies of nesting, foraging, and social interactions, incorporating ethology methods and habitat suitability assessments.
• Migration and Population Dynamics: Workshops on radar ornithology, stable isotope analysis, and demographic modeling to understand migratory routes and declines.
• Avian Health and Disease: Training in veterinary basics for birds, including parasite identification and disease surveillance in wild populations.
• Grassland Bird Conservation: Focused programs on prairie species like bobolinks and dickcissels, covering restoration and grazing impacts.
• Bioacoustics and Monitoring: Courses using sound recording and AI tools for passive monitoring, analyzing vocalizations for biodiversity indices.
• Public Education in Ornithology: Modules for citizen science, teaching protocols for eBird data collection and school outreach programs.

These courses, often held during peak migration seasons, offer hands-on learning exceeding 250 hours yearly, preparing participants for roles in wildlife biology and avian research, while contributing to long-term monitoring of Oklahoma's avian diversity amid habitat fragmentation.

The Oklahoma Biological Survey's main campus in Norman serves as the hub for biological research and education, focusing on the state's biodiversity. While primarily a research entity, it offers educational programs and workshops that function like specialized courses in various biological disciplines.

• Biodiversity and Ecology: In-depth studies on Oklahoma's ecosystems, including field-based courses on plant and animal identification, habitat assessment, and conservation strategies. Participants learn to conduct biodiversity inventories and analyze ecological data using GIS tools.
• Herpetology and Ornithology: Specialized training in amphibian, reptile, and bird surveys, covering taxonomy, behavior, and monitoring techniques. These courses include hands-on fieldwork at local reserves, emphasizing endangered species protection.
• Botany and Vascular Plants: Courses dedicated to the identification and conservation of Oklahoma's native flora, with modules on ethnobotany, plant genetics, and restoration ecology. Students engage in herbarium curation and molecular analysis.
• Entomology and Invertebrates: Exploration of insect and invertebrate diversity, including pest management, pollination biology, and bioindicators for environmental health. Practical sessions involve trapping, dissection, and ecological modeling.
• Aquatic Biology: Programs on freshwater and riparian systems, teaching water quality assessment, fish and macroinvertebrate sampling, and watershed management. These integrate hydrology and limnology principles.
• Genetics and Molecular Biology: Advanced workshops on DNA barcoding, phylogenetics, and population genetics applied to Oklahoma species, using lab techniques like PCR and sequencing.
• Environmental Policy and Education: Courses bridging science and policy, covering natural resource laws, public outreach, and K-12 biology education modules tailored to Oklahoma's unique biota.

These programs, often in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma, provide over 300 hours of instructional content annually, fostering expertise in biological surveying and stewardship. Participants gain skills for careers in research, conservation, and environmental consulting, with emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to address climate change and habitat loss in the region.

The Robert M. Kerr Environmental Research Center in Poteau focuses on southeastern Oklahoma's forested and aquatic ecosystems, offering targeted educational programs akin to field courses in environmental science.

• Forest Ecology and Management: Courses on woodland dynamics, including tree species identification, silviculture practices, and wildfire ecology. Field exercises involve plot sampling and carbon sequestration studies.
• Aquatic and Riparian Biology: Training in stream ecology, fish population assessments, and wetland restoration, with techniques for electrofishing, water chemistry analysis, and habitat mapping.
• Wildlife Monitoring: Specialized sessions on mammal and bird tracking, using camera traps and radio telemetry to study movement patterns and habitat use in the Ouachita Mountains.
• Soil and Water Conservation: Modules covering erosion control, soil microbiology, and watershed hydrology, incorporating GIS for land-use planning.
• Invasive Species Management: Practical courses on detecting and controlling non-native plants and animals, with case studies from local invasions like kudzu and feral hogs.
• Climate Impact Studies: Workshops exploring biodiversity responses to environmental changes, including phenology tracking and predictive modeling.
• Community Engagement in Conservation: Educational programs teaching outreach methods for rural communities, focusing on sustainable forestry and ecotourism.

This center's offerings emphasize applied research, providing immersive experiences that build skills for resource management professionals. Annual programs exceed 200 hours, integrating local indigenous knowledge with modern science to promote resilient ecosystems in eastern Oklahoma.

The Stinchcomb Wildlife Reserve, adjacent to the main Norman campus, provides practical courses in wildlife management and urban ecology within a 150-acre natural area.

• Wildlife Habitat Management: Courses on creating and maintaining habitats for native species, including prairie restoration and invasive removal techniques.
• Mammalogy and Small Mammal Studies: Trapping and tracking sessions for rodents, bats, and carnivores, with focus on population estimation and disease vectors.
• Urban Wildlife Ecology: Exploration of human-wildlife conflicts, teaching coexistence strategies like green corridors and nuisance mitigation.
• Trail Camera and Sensor Technology: Workshops on deploying remote sensing for behavioral observations and occupancy modeling.
• Biodiversity Surveys: Integrated field courses combining flora and fauna inventories, using quadrat sampling and point counts.
• Environmental Education: Programs for teaching wildlife appreciation, including guided tours and curriculum development for local schools.
• Restoration Ecology: Hands-on restoration projects, covering seed banking, pollinator habitats, and post-fire recovery.

As an extension of the Biological Survey's educational outreach, these courses deliver around 150 hours of instruction, emphasizing accessible, community-oriented learning to enhance urban biodiversity conservation in the Oklahoma City metro area.