The United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies that oversee public lands require special use permits for many groups, including non-profit and educational adventure programs, to access their lands.  On Wednesday, March 2, 2011 Oregon State University – Cascades tourism and outdoor leadership instructor, Michael Gassner, will investigate the sometimes confusing issue of special permits in an "It’s in the Bag" lecture called Special Use Permits for Public Lands: Are they Necessary for Everyone?

Gassner is an OSU graduate with teaching, administrative, consulting and international outdoor leadership experience.  He teaches upper division courses and oversees the TOL program’s student internship offerings.  An Oregonian originally from Portland, Gassner has facilitated outdoor education in the United States and internationally.  He has led groups mountaineering in the California Sierra Mountains, jungle trekking, sea kayaking, and sailing in Sabah, East Malaysia.  Gassner led an Explorers Club flag expedition to the remote Maliau Basin in central Borneo and co-led a four-month trek in the Southern Alps in New Zealand.  He has designed Outward Bound courses for school groups of all ages, as well as for public and corporate clients.  Gassner taught adventure education at Minnesota State University Mankato, the University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education, the University of Minnesota and St. Cloud State University.

Gassner received his bachelor of science in geology from OSU and his master’s in experiential education from Minnesota State University – Mankat.  He received a doctorate in education with an emphasis in outdoor education and a minor in international education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

"It’s in the Bag" lectures are free and no reservation is needed. Audience members are asked to pick-up a free parking pass from the main office before parking.  For more information visit http://www.osucascades.edu/lunchtime-lectures or contact 541-322-3100 or info@osucascades.edu.