Skip to Content

Catalog

Print Options

Natural Resources

Overview

Environmental Conservation is an interdisciplinary program that advances understanding of ecological systems and their interrelationships, including those with human society. Core study involves plant and animal ecology and natural history, field methods and study design, and conservation and management of ecosystems and natural resources. Students are able to focus their studies in conservation and sustainability; plant ecology, conservation and management; and/or vertebrate ecology, conservation and management. This program covers a wide range of environmental studies, provides many unique opportunities for hands-on and real-world field experience, and prepares students for a variety of careers as well as transfer at the upper division level to academic programs involving environmental sciences.

The Natural Resources Department within the Science & Engineering Division has developed new A.S. degree and certificate programs in Environmental Conservation that recognize the change in emphasis in this field's academics and job market.

An increasing number of sectors of the labor market in California, the U.S., and beyond, require knowledge and skills emphasizing conservation and management of plant and animal populations and their habitats, sustainable resource use, and an enhanced understanding of the environment. This program prepares students for entry-level work in a variety of industries and settings, including private firms, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. Students receive not only rigorous instruction in the theory and application of environmental sciences but unique hands-on training as well.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.S. in Environmental Conservation
  • A.S. in General Science
  • Environmental Conservation Certificate
  • Environmental Conservation Technician (Fisheries) Certificate
  • Environmental Conservation Technician (Sustainability) Certificate
  • Environmental Conservation Technician (Vegetation) Certificate
  • Environmental Conservation Technician (Wildlife) Certificate
  • Environmental Conservation Technician (Conservation/Restoration) Certificate
  • Environmental Conservation Technician (Forest/Rangeland) Certificate
  • Environmental Conservation Technician (Water Resources) Certificate