Date of Graduation

Spring 5-23-2026

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Environmental Management (MSEM)

College/School

College of Arts and Sciences

Department/Program

Environmental Management

First Advisor

Simon Scarpetta

Abstract

Megafauna extinction during the Holocene has been both caused and amplified by climatic changes and human influence. By the last half century, large carnivores were diminished in Europe and the United States, but policies increasingly addressed species decline and their territories expanded. This research examined large carnivore rewilding across the European Union and United States, specifically for rewilding brown bears, Ursus arctos, in historic habitat. Next, case studies for the health status of climate-impacted whitebark pine, Pinus albicaulis, a high energy food for bears, was assessed. Ultimately, research case studies, human perspective surveys, and the California Department of Education content standards were analyzed due to potential grizzly bear, Ursus arctos horribilis, rewilding in California. Suitable habitat exists in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and could inhabit up to 832 bears beyond their current ESA-protected habitat in the lower-48 United States. Additionally, 94-95% of residents live in urban areas today and California elementary schools do not have access to explicit large carnivore education or materials until fourth grade, during a critical age (7-12 years of age) in children to foster connection with nature. With fewer opportunities to coexist with nature and limited mandated education for large carnivore thinking, perception of wildlife may become skewed from an early age without intentional nature-based solutions. By bridging childhoodnature relationships with the five carnivore coexistence concepts, an educational framework involving trust, representation, knowledge spheres, communication, and leadership was designed to integrate outdoor learning, environmental literacy, and worldviews from local traditional ecological knowledge into California schools.

Download

Share

COinS