What it is
Natural resources & conservation is the study of managing and protecting land, forests, water, wildlife, and ecosystems — balancing use and preservation for the long term. It includes forestry, wildlife conservation, range and land management, and environmental stewardship.
What you'll study
Coursework combines ecology with resource management:
- Science baseBiology, ecology, chemistry, and statistics
- Resource coreForestry, wildlife/fisheries, soil and water, and conservation
- AppliedGIS, resource management, policy, and fieldwork
Concentrations & focus areas
- ForestryManaging forests
- Wildlife / FisheriesAnimal populations
- Conservation / EcologyProtecting ecosystems
- Range / Land ManagementLand use
- Water ResourcesWatersheds
- Environmental PolicyRegulation & stewardship
Skills you'll build
- Ecological knowledgeEcosystems & species
- Field skillsSampling & monitoring
- GIS & dataMapping resources
- Resource managementBalancing use & protection
- Policy awarenessRegulation
Careers & job titles
- Conservation scientist / foresterGovernment & private (~$69,060)
- Wildlife / fisheries biologistAgencies & NGOs
- Park / land managerPublic lands
- Environmental / restoration rolesConsulting & nonprofits
- Resource / GIS analystData roles
- Extension / policyGovernment
Job outlook & demand
The BLS projects conservation scientists and foresters to grow steadily (~4%), with demand tied to wildfire management, sustainability, and land stewardship. Government (federal/state) and NGOs are major employers; the field often involves fieldwork.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), conservation scientists and foresters had a median of $69,060. Federal and specialized roles pay more; entry and field roles vary.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's is the standard entry; a master's helps for research, specialized, and advancement roles. GIS skills are widely valued.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you love the outdoors and the environment, want to protect natural resources, and enjoy fieldwork and applied science.
Practical tip: pair natural resources with GIS, data, and policy skills — the combination is highly employable across government, consulting, and conservation organizations.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- FocusManaging land, forests, water, wildlife & ecosystems
- IncludesForestry, wildlife, conservation, land management
- CareersConservation scientist, forester, wildlife biologist, land manager
- OutlookSteady (~4%, BLS)
- Pay$69,060 (conservation/foresters, BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: