Why Study Conservation and Environmental Planning?
As a conservation and environmental planning major, you’ll focus on the scientific, field-based management of our natural resources, including wildlife, water, soil, air and human developments and the interaction of these systems. UW-River Falls offers two options for conservation and environmental planning majors:
- The conservation option provides a field-based approach to managing our natural resources. You’ll be prepared for careers in wildlife management, habitat restoration or interpretive services.
- The environmental planning option will prepare you to pursue a career in planning, development or public policy, with an emphasis on minimizing or mitigating the environmental impacts of the built environment.
Skills and Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of regional and global ecosystems and gain expertise in conservation management techniques.
- Safely and effectively utilize field equipment used in the natural resource management field.
- Understand the technical and regulatory dimensions for developing the human-built environment in ways that avoid, minimize or mitigate the impacts on natural systems.
- Become proficient at the skills involved in restoring and rehabilitating degraded ecosystems.
Types of Courses
- Community Decision Making
- Environmental Policies and Administration
- Environmental Sustainability
- Foundations of Ecological Restoration
- Hydrology and Water Quality
- Land Use Theory and Practice
- Prairie Restoration and Fire Ecology
- Remote Sensing of Natural Resources
- Site and Landscape Planning
“My favorite major-related experience at UWRF was my internship. I was given the opportunity to work for the city of Big Lake, Minn., as the planning intern and code enforcement officer. It was exciting to put the material that I had learned in the classroom into the professional world. As I applied what I had learned in the classroom, I felt I was able to get so much more out of my internship and I was able to see the actual processes that were in place. In return, I was able to make real changes in Big Lake that are still intact today.”
- Lorrie McKee, conservation and environmental planning, emphasis in environmental planning major
Potential Careers
Conservation and environmental planning students find work in a variety of roles including:
- Community Planner
- Conservation or Game Warden
- Developer
- Ecological Restoration Specialist
- Environmental Planner
- Natural Resource Manager
- Park Ranger
Crop and Soil Science
- Degree Type: Major/Minor
- Area of Interest: Science
- College: CAFES
Environmental Science
- Degree Type: Major
- Area of Interest: Science/Environmental Sciences
- College: CAFES
