College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Wildlife viewing is one of the fastest growing segments of wildlife-related recreation. According to
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, more than 71 million U.S. residents participated in at least one type of wildlife-watching activity in 2006 and spent more than $45 billion in
trips, equipment, and other items.
Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) estimates that ecotourism is estimated to be a $77 billion market in the U.S., representing 5% of the overall U.S. travel and tourism market.
This graduate-level certificate program will help conservationists, community leaders, and recreation and hospitality providers build the skills necessary to effectively preserve the natural resources of and generate jobs and revenue for their communities.
Key Features
This program is the first of its kind offered in the United States.
All courses are offered online via the Internet.
Graduate credit earned may be applied to a master's degree program (See Sustainable Community Development option in Agricultural Education).
Knowledge may be immediately applied to a real community or resource site through the development of a business management plan.
Focus is on the basic knowledge and skills necessary to achieve positive economic impact and enhanced quality of life through the conservation of natural resources and managed tourism.
“I am pleased to see a program that recognizes and promotes the great potential in sustainability-based wildlife recreation and nature tourism. Through it, communities and businesses may learn to recognize the natural and cultural resources that give their area its wonderful sense of place. We all stand to benefit from the evolution of recreation and tourism to value-added, holistic experiences that appreciate the natural and cultural environment as opposed to the old paradigm of commodity-based recreational pursuits.”
— Tom Bradley, Superintendent
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
Who Should Enroll
Anyone interested in wildlife viewing and nature-based tourism on a professional or personal level or individuals working in or interested in working in the following careers:
Wildlife professional
Resource manager
Recreation and hospitality provider
Special events coordinator
Environmental consultant
Tourism operator rural or urban planner
Environmental educator
Recreation manager
Environmental entrepreneur
Land-use planning specialist
Community development professional
Local government official
Chamber of commerce professional
Community leader
Conservationist
Nature enthusiast
“It's time to address the gaping, educational vacuum that exists in the nature tourism field! Wildlife populations and habitats, visitor demands and satisfaction, and community well-being are unnecessarily competing, to their detriment.
“A cohesive educational program for resource managers, tourism entrepreneurs, land-use planners, and all others actively engaged in managing the changes occurring among our culture and wildlife recreation - and doing so in an economically, environmentally and socially responsible manner - has not existed until now.”
— James Mallman, President
Watchable Wildlife, Inc.
Directed Electives, 5 credits:
These credits may be transferred from another institution, credit given for professional experience, or from additional courses taken at UW-River Falls.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Beginning fall 2008, tuition for the classes in the certificate program will be $405 per credit, regardless of residency.
Graduate students who take at least four credits per term may be eligible for some financial aid. For more information, visit the Office of Financial Assistance web site or contact the office by phone, (715) 425-3141, or email.
Admission Requirements
Completed application for graduate study at UW-RF with $45 processing fee.
An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Official transcripts from all institutions attended as an undergraduate student, sent directly to Graduate Studies from the institution.
An overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 (on a four-point scale) or an average of at least 2.90 based on the last 60 semester credits (90 quarter credits) of the undergraduate program.
