Natural Resources Conservation, A.A.S., Major #0617

The Natural Resources Conservation curriculum provides fundamental training in ecology, fish and wildlife, forestry, outdoor recreation and related subjects. Students receive a broad-based education with an emphasis on practical, hands- on experience. College, state and county properties provide a wide assortment of opportunities for field experiences such as fish surveys, trail building, wildlife habitat improvement and forest surveys and management.

Career Opportunities: Parks, forestry, arboriculture, fisheries and wildlife management. Soil conservation service, conservation officer, forestry technician, forest ranger, environmental consultant, and water and wastewater treatment plant operator.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon Successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Describe the state of the natural resources profession and potential career opportunities.

• Conduct himself/herself in a manner consistent with an embodied sense of conservation stewardship.

• Deal professionally and ethically with clients, the public, and agency personnel.

• Utilize oral and computer communication skills necessary to interact in the profession.

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and competency in taxonomy and natural history.

• Demonstrate hands-on experience in natural resource sampling, inventory, and measurement techniques.

• Demonstrate competency in utilizing geospatial technologies (Global Positioning System – GPS, Geographic Information System – GIS, and remote sensing).

• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in natural resource conservation.

• Utilize existing technology, products, and services to maximize work efficiency and success.

• Practice a collaborative spirit in team-efforts and project coordination.

Society of American Foresters Accredited Forest Technology Concentration:

Students wishing to specialize in Forestry and Silviculture may complete the Forest Technology Concentration Minor in the Natural Resources Conservation A.A.S. program by taking: as their three capstone electives  NATR 211 Forest Protection, NATR 215 Practices of Silviculture and NATR 232 Wildlife Ecology and Management; BSAD 116 Organizational Behavior and Management as their fourth semester technical elective; and then completing the four credit hour NATR 246 Internship in Natural Resources at an approved forest industry internship site.

Curriculum Requirements

 Core Specialization (select three courses from the list below)

Suggested Course Sequence