This course will focus on threatened wildlife species of Washington’s shrub steppe habitats, including Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits and golden eagles, as case studies of how recovery projects work to address the most common issues affecting species: habitat degradation, climate change, pollution and invasive species. Participants will explore shrub steppe conservation issues in the Pacific Northwest, as well as field and community-based investigation techniques that scientists and citizens alike can use to study and conserve local wildlife. Course themes explore sustainable population maintenance, wildlife health, restoration ecology, reintroduction biology, and the role of zoos, reserves and aquaria in conservation. On the first course day at Woodland Park Zoo, we will explore the fascinating animals and plants of Washington’s Columbia Plateau (shrub steppe) ecoregion through presentations, activities and observations of animals on zoo grounds. Over the next four days (three nights), the issues and species recovery efforts will then be explored through field experiences in the shrub steppe habitats of Washington (focused on central Washington’s Columbia Plateau ecoregion), including visits to local natural areas and meeting people involved in species and habitat research and conservation.