Conservation

As a conservation major, you’ll focus on the scientific, field-based management of our natural resources - including wildlife, forests, prairie, fresh water, soil and air - with a strong emphasis on habitat conservation, environmental outreach and spatial analysis.

We offer four options for conservation majors: 

• Environmental Conservation Option: This option provides a field-based approach to holistically managing our natural resources from freshwater systems to forest and prairies and prepares you for careers in habitat conservation and wildlife management.
• Ecological Restoration Option: In this option, you'll develop the skills and background knowledge necessary to recreate, initiate and accelerate the recovery of impaired ecosystems with the goal of sustaining biodiversity and improving ecological resilience. This option is one of the few programs globally that is aligned with Society for Ecological Restoration’s academic standards and upon graduation with this option, you'll be eligible for the “Restoration Practitioner-In Training” professional certification.
• Natural History and Interpretation Option: Interested in environmental education, outreach and interpretive services and want needed skills for the "Next Generation of Natural History?” This option focus on training well-rounded, broadly trained naturalists who are aware and careful observers of the natural world, familiar with environmental history and organismal biology and will prepare you for careers like extension educator, nature center interpreter, park ranger, environmental writer and more.
• Geographic Information System (GIS) Option: This option is designed to provide you with hands-on experience so you can develop advanced skills in GIS as it relates to conservation and natural resources. You'll be trained in map making, spatial analysis and remote sensing of natural systems using software and techniques in a state-of-the-art GIS lab and prepared for roles like GIS technician or geospatial consultant for state and federal agencies, private environmental consultation firms and non-profit, non-governmental conservation organizations.