Bachelors in Natural Resources and Conservation in ${country}

Learn to apply biological, ecological, economic and social knowledge as you develop and implement sustainable forest management plans. Studies emphasize understanding how forest ecosystems function, the role of natural and human disturbance, and ecosystem resilience. The Forestry major was recently revised to allow students to specialize in one of four concentrations: forest management, forest science, urban forestry, and sustainable biomaterials (the latter is a technology-based degree for making products out of wood).  This major prepares the student for careers with public agencies such as state divisions of forestry or the U.S. Forest Service (forest management concentration), private industry and consulting firms (urban forestry, sustainable biomaterials) and graduate school (forest science). The major is accredited by the Society of American Foresters.

Forest ecosystems cover one third of the world’s land area and nearly half of Wisconsin. They provide a range of benefits to society including wood and fiber, wildlife habitat, biological diversity, clean water, carbon storage, recreation, beauty, and cultural values. The Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology trains foresters to sustainably manage forests toward sustainable ecological, social, and economic outcomes. Forest science students also learn how to respond to forest disturbances from insects, diseases, fire, and other changes. Beyond a core of basic science and forestry coursework, students have flexibility to customize their learning experience within one of three tracks: forest conservation, forests and the environment, and forest management. All three tracks meet accreditation standards of the Society of American Foresters, a key credential that employers seek. Students are also well positioned to pursue graduate training in forestry, ecology, remote-sensing, natural resource policy, and related fields.

Students learn through a mix of classroom, laboratory, and field instruction that emphasizes independent thinking and problem-solving. Students make frequent visits to forests to develop and hone their skills, essential for future job opportunities. Students also engage professional and student-led trainings and networking that further build skills. Graduates go on to jobs in private, public, and non-governmental sectors or pursue graduate degrees.

Earth and Space Sciences is a broadly based multidisciplinary field combining geology, astronomy, atmospheric science, and marine science administered by the Department of Geosciences (see Geology major for departmental information). The major in Earth and Space Sci­ences is a diversified program in the natural sciences and mathematics aimed at fostering a basic understanding of the earth and space sciences; it also includes concentrated study in any one of the natural sciences or mathematics or interdisciplinary studies in environmental geoscience. Intended for those seeking a science-related career, the program is flexible in that it is designed to meet the needs of students who desire a more diverse liberal arts and sciences background. The various programs prepare students to choose careers in teaching, law, environmental science, secondary education, or research in private industry and government.

Forestry is an interdisciplinary profession, embracing the sustainable management of forest ecosystems for productivity, biodiversity, and health.  The Forestry program’s goals are to provide a solid professional preparation with a strong field component, founded in a broad general education, and with the flexibility to allow students to pursue special abilities and interests.  The Bachelor of Science in Forestry (B.S.F.) degree is accredited by the Society of American Foresters.

Forestry graduates help manage and conserve public and private forests, addressing major environmental challenges including climate change, biodiversity protection, and sustainable resource management.  They use science, planning, and geospatial technology to protect and restore forest ecosystems, ensure a sustainable forest product industry, provide wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, and conserve soils and watersheds.

Earth and Environmental Science majors learn about geoscience with an emphasis on the scientific method, problem-solving and interdisciplinary science education. You can focus your studies a variety of specialties such as geographic information science, geology, Earth resources or environmental studies. Students who earn an Earth and Environmental Science degree qualify to pursue professional licensure as registered geologists in the state of Oregon.

The Forestry program at the University of Maine retains a strong field orientation. Training in a forest setting begins with the first semester, and continues throughout the curriculum. The  program utilizes the University’s 1,750-acre Dwight B. Demeritt Forest located next to the campus. In addition, the nearby Penobscot Experimental Forest and other properties owned and managed by the University, provide nearly 13,500 acres of living laboratories for forestry education and research. Large areas of public and private, industrial and non-industrial forestland near the University provide additional opportunities for a field-based education. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the numerous opportunities for summer employment with public and private land-management organizations.

Students in the Forestry program have an opportunity to study, interact, and often work with the large number of graduate students from around the world who have been attracted to forest-related studies at the University of Maine. The forestry faculty members have active research programs, and they are involved in various outreach activities for the profession. Students learn from faculty who continually explore and extend the latest knowledge in their areas of forest science, and students meet directly with these faculty for academic advising.

The Forest Resource Management curriculum combines a broad education in the arts and sciences with applied forest sciences. This combination provides the necessary foundation for the scientific management of forest resources, products, and services.

Foresters are qualified for a broad spectrum of employment opportunities in the public and private sectors. They may be engaged as managers, administrators, or owners of forest lands or forest-based businesses; as technical specialists in the production of timber, usable water, wildlife, and aesthetic values, and in the recreational use of the forest; or as professionals in other areas where the conservation of natural resources is a concern. Foresters earning advanced degrees find employment in academic work and in research conducted by public and private agencies.

The curriculum, accredited by the Society of American Foresters, provides a strong program in the basic knowledge and skills required of a professional forester. Forest Resource Management majors will select a minor (see Minors). The curriculum also provides the necessary prerequisites for graduate study.

For students interested in conservation biology, water, and natural resources, the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation also administers the Conservation Biology Concentration and the Natural Resources Management Concentration within the Environmental and Natural Resources degree program.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of wood science, business, and advanced manufacturing operations, while developing transferable skills in problem solving, communication, leadership, and teamwork.

After completing foundational courses in math, physics, and chemistry in first year, you’ll begin developing your knowledge of wood and material science and primary and secondary wood processing technologies. In senior years, you’ll learn how to analyze and optimize manufacturing operations. In your final year, you’ll focus on an area of interest with a major project.

The forestry curriculum offers courses dealing with the management of forest ecosystems for multiple benefits including biodiversity, recreation, water, wilderness, wildlife, and wood and fiber. Conservation and preservation of natural resources are emphasized. The department offers work for the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in forestry and options in forest ecosystem management, interpretation of natural resources, urban and community forestry, or natural resource conservation and restoration. Students select at least one of these options, all of which lead to a professional degree in forestry (Bachelor of Science).  The forestry major has been accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) since 1935. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes SAF as the specialized accrediting body for forestry education in the United States. The primary goal of the undergraduate curriculum in forestry is to educate foresters to be capable of scientifically managing the nation’s forest lands and related ecosystems - private and public.

Graduates understand and can apply scientific principles associated with forests, forest ecosystem management, and wood and non-wood products. Graduates are able to communicate effectively and work well in teams. They are capable of preparing and delivering effective oral and written communication of scientific and technical decisions to professional and lay audiences. They are proficient in technical skills such as measurements, computer usage, inventory, economic analysis, data and situation analysis, and ecosystem assessment. They recognize the importance of ethics in forestry and are sensitive to cultural diversity and broad environmental concerns.

Graduates of the forest ecosystem management option are skilled at understanding how forests function and how forests can be managed to produce desired goods (wood, fiber, recreation, wildlife habitat) and services (clean water, carbon sequestration, wilderness) in the long-run. They are skilled at interpretation of interactions and effects of abiotic and biotic factors in forests and quantification of bio-physical, social, and economic outputs from forest ecosystems. They are skilled at complex decision-making involving private and public forest resources where ethical, legal, social, economic, and ecological dimensions are explicitly considered.

Graduates of the interpretation of natural resources option are skilled at communicating with the public about the values associated with forest ecosystems and providing educational programs for all ages.

Graduates of the urban and community forestry option are able to combine biological, social, legal, and economic expertise to effectively manage trees or forests in an urban setting. They are skilled at decision-making related to site assessment, and long-term management of urban trees and forests to achieve multiple goals.

Graduates of the natural resource conservation and restoration option are skilled at assessing the natural functions of the environment and human impacts. They are skilled at interpretation of forest and other natural environments and making decisions relating to their conservation and preservation.

Our Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences will prepare you for a dynamic career in forestry and related industries. You’ll learn forest management techniques, including the protection and use of forested areas, while ensuring sustainability and other social and cultural needs are met. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in a field school where you will learn first-hand about forestry operations. This program also prepares you to become a Registered Professional Forester (RPF).

The undergraduate program in Ecosystem Science and Policy (ECS) is offered by the Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. The goal of the program is to educate the next generation of environmental leaders.  The ECS program provides students with a broad background in environmental issues from a variety of perspectives, along with in-depth education in an area of specialization. 

The B.A. degree in Ecosystem Science and Policy is recommended in preparation for careers in law, government and business, including professional schools and careers in government and private industries concerned with the environment. Students pursuing the B.A. may choose to have the major fulfill either the STEM or People & Society cognate; they will need to complete the other cognate plus the Arts & Humanities cognate.  Students with a second major in another school or college should consult their advisors regarding requirements for that major.  Any course used to fulfill one ECS requirement cannot be used to fulfill another; however, courses other than the ECS core can be used to fulfill requirements for a cognate, minor, or second major.  Students whose primary college is Arts & Sciences are required to complete four courses designated as "Writing Intensive" (also known as "W") courses. Those seeking a B.A. degree in ECS must complete at least two, but as many as four, ECS courses designated as "W". These include ECS 113, ECS 301, ECS 302, ECS 402, and ECS 403  Up to two "W" courses may be selected from other departments. Students whose primary degree is in another school or college should follow its writing requirements. 

A forestry degree will prepare you to work with a diversity of landowners, agencies, wildlife, and a wide range of forest industries to help manage the benefits of and threats to forests throughout the region.