Natural Resources and Conservation
Environmental management and policy
Listed by colleges as Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
Prepares you to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. Covers the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 9 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General
- Prepares you to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. Covers the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.
- Environmental/Natural Resource Economics
- Focuses on the application of economic concepts and methods to the analysis of issues such as air and water pollution, land use planning, waste disposal, invasive species and pest control, conservation policies, and related environmental problems. Covers cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, evaluation and assessment of alternative resource management strategies, policy evaluation and monitoring, and descriptive and analytic tools for studying how environmental developments affect the economic system.
- Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
- Prepares you to apply the principles of marine/aquatic biology, oceanography, natural resource economics, and natural resources management to the development, conservation, and management of freshwater and saltwater environments. Covers subjects such as wetlands, riverine, lacustrine, coastal, and oceanic water resources; water conservation and use; flood control; pollution control; water supply logistics; wastewater management; aquatic and marine ecology; aquatic and marine life conservation; and the economic and recreational uses of water resources.
- Land Use Planning and Management/Development
- Focuses on how public and/or private land and associated resources can be preserved, developed, and used for maximum social, economic, and environmental benefit. Covers natural resources management, natural resource economics, public policy, regional and land use planning, environmental impact assessment, applicable law and regulations, government and politics, principles of business and real estate land use, statistical and analytical tools, computer applications, mapping and report preparation, site analysis, cost analysis, and communications skills.
- Environmental/Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism
- Prepares you to plan, develop, and manage tourism in a natural resource setting, with an emphasis on applying environmentally sound, culturally sensitive, and economically sustainable principles. Covers environmental studies; natural resource management and interpretation; tourism planning, management, and policies; public land use management and policies; communications; marketing; and public relations.
- Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
- Prepares you to enforce natural resource and environmental protection regulations and laws; and to perform emergency duties to protect human life, property and natural resources, including fire prevention and control measures, and emergency and rescue procedures. Covers natural and physical sciences, natural resource management, outdoor field skills, firearms and outdoor equipment and vehicle operation, evidence collection and environmental sampling and monitoring, natural resource legislation, environmental compliance techniques, patrol procedures, investigation and report writing, interpersonal skills and crisis intervention, community liaison, public safety, public education, and public relations. Note: this program was re-instated after being deleted from CIP 2000; previously, it was coded as 03.0203.
- Energy and Environmental Policy
- Study that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to climate change, energy policy, environmental economics, global sustainability, and security. Covers climate change, clean energy technologies, environmental policy, environmental law, environmental economics, food security, fossil fuels, renewable and sustainable energy sources, and water issues.
- Bioenergy
- Study that focuses on the environmental and economic impact of using plants and microbes for the production of bio-based fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. Covers biochemical engineering, bioprocessing, bioseparations, conversion, feedstock, economics, environmental sustainability, hydrology, and natural resource management.
- Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other
- Environmental or natural resources management and policy not listed above.
Also called Ecosystem Management, Environmental Policy and Decision Making
Also called Environmental Economics and Policy
Also called Ecotourism, Resource Recreation and Tourism, Nature-Based Tourism, Natural Resources Interpretation, Hunting and Fishing Guide
Also called Conservation Enforcement
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Managers, All Other
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.9%
- Job openings a year
- 100,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyCompliance Officers
- Median pay
- $80,730
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.8%
- Job openings a year
- 32,700
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyPolice and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
- Median pay
- $76,210
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.5%
- Job openings a year
- 51,500
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingLifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Median pay
- $33,580
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.5%
- Job openings a year
- 45,400
To get hiredNo formal educational credential
Explore this career Growing with the economyFirefighters
- Median pay
- $59,280
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.7%
- Job openings a year
- 26,800
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing with the economyFirst-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
- Median pay
- $106,040
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.3%
- Job openings a year
- 10,600
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingConservation Scientists
- Median pay
- $73,010
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.3%
- Job openings a year
- 2,100
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing slowlyDetectives and Criminal Investigators
- Median pay
- $93,790
- Hiring change through 2035
- 0.2%
- Job openings a year
- 7,800
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyFirst-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
- Median pay
- $93,530
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.7%
- Job openings a year
- 6,600
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career GrowingEntertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
- Median pay
- $79,520
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.0%
- Job openings a year
- 5,100
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingSocial Science Research Assistants
- Median pay
- $61,990
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.0%
- Job openings a year
- 4,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyForestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $101,420
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.8%
- Job openings a year
- 100
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $31,321 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
This field leads to a mix of in-person and computer-based work. About 32 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.