This major 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, for the benefit of society.
Environmental Conservation & Management
Environmental Conservation & Management
With the development of new CFWE courses and minors, the Natural Resources Management degree has been renamed the Environmental Conservation and Management major to accurately reflect its curriculum and related career fields. The degree prepares students to understand and manage various natural resources in the context of laws, policies, and societal needs. The Environmental Conservation and Management 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.
This major 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.
Note: Students may incur laboratory, transportation, or other fees associated with labs and field experiences required for course credit.