Topics are examined from local to landscape and regional scales, and integrate the social and biophysical worlds. This program is flexible enough to adapt to the interests of individual students, while remaining firmly grounded in ecological principles applicable to species, populations, communities, landscapes and ecosystems. It is distinctly different from the emphasis on management in the other forestry, wildlife, fisheries, range, and resource recreation and tourism programs, or the more general environmental science programs. Graduates of the program often continue advanced studies at national and international universities. This natural resources degree can also serve as pre-professional training for law school, or for professional positions in federal, state and private environmental organizations, including local and regional planning groups and consulting firms.
Many opportunities exist for careers with federal, state and local government agencies.
Some of our recent graduates are working for non-profit organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, Land Trusts, and the International Association of Wildland Fire. Some of our current students aspire to be environmental writers, Peace Corps volunteers, or environmental educators. All will be actively shaping policies and research to sustain biological diversity. Students graduating in the Natural Resources Ecology Option work as ecologists, researchers, and managers addressing such ecological issues as sustainable development, ecological integrity, impacts and management of introduced species, ecological restoration, or reintroduction. Graduates from the Conservation Biology Option will be involved in conservation of biological diversity, developing habitat conservation plans for threatened and endangered species, or implementing species recovery plans.