This slider contains four images: ecologist sets up solar powered field station and laboratory, two people wearing protective helmet standing in front of building site, hydro biologist testing quality of water, and guide talking to people in kayaks.
Environmental Conservation and Management
With the development of new CFWE courses and minors, the Natural Resources Management degree has been renamed as the Environmental Conservation and Management (ECM)* major to reflect better its curriculum, which prepares students to understand and manage various natural resources in the context of laws, policies, and societal needs. The ECM program provides students with the knowledge and ability to manage various resource management issues, such as water and aquatic environments, coastal lands, ecological restoration, and urban environments.
The ECM degree is a flexible major that includes core environmental conservation and management courses plus a required minor degree that allows students to concentrate their coursework on one of many diverse nature-based careers. Minors that can be embedded in the degree include:
- Coastal Management
- Environmental Law
- Forest Health
- Forest Seedling Nursery Management
- Natural Resources Ecology
- Restoration Ecology
- Urban Forestry
- Watershed Sciences
Other minors at Auburn may also be paired with the major, such as business, communications, fisheries, geography, or sustainability.
Environmental conservation and management is a growing field with various career options in the public and private sectors, including positions within federal, state, and municipal agencies, environmental consulting firms, nonprofit organizations such as land trusts, conservancies, and others. Depending on an individual’s specialization, experience, and skill level, graduates may qualify for a diverse array of nature-based occupations that include:
- Coastal Resources Planner
- Conservation Biologist
- Ecological Consultant
- Environmental or Conservation Scientist
- Resource/Environmental Lawyer (law degree required)
- Land and Resources Manager or Planner
- Land Trust Manager
- Wetland Ecologist
- Water Quality Manager
- Urban Forester or Arborist
- Forest Health Specialist
Students who wish to further specialize or advance in their careers after graduation may opt to continue their education by pursuing graduate degrees, such as obtaining a law degree to practice law for non-governmental organizations or a master’s degree for further specialization and advancement in their chosen field.
Learn more about the careers, salary ranges, and work environments available with this degree via the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
* Pending ACHE approval winter 2024.
Note: Students may incur laboratory, transportation, or other fees associated with labs and field experiences required for course credit.
