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Natural Resource Management

Do you want to work in the great outdoors? A degree in natural resource management puts you on the right path.

Our associate in applied science degree in Natural Resource Management prepares you to enter the workforce as a forestry, wildlife, fisheries, or recreation technician. Classes include outdoor labs, where you’ll learn how to identify forest plants, measure trees to determine their value, identify and sample fish and wildlife species, navigate with a map and compass, safely operate a chainsaw, diagnose plant diseases, run a surveying total station, build maps, and much more.

When you complete this two-year degree, you’ll be ready to start your career with Federal or State agencies like the Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources and Washington State Parks, or go to work for a private company, like Potlatch-Deltic.

 
The Enroll in Natural Resources video shows students in a typical field class conducting activity that are commonly done by fisheries technicians after graduation.

 
Related Program

We also have a program for students interested in working on street and park trees in an urban setting. For more on arboriculture/urban forestry, visit the arboriculture/urban forestry area of study page.

  1. Identify selected forest trees, shrubs, and forbs native to the Pacific Northwest.
  2. Use various instruments to measure the height, diameter and age of trees and apply this data to volume, site, and growth determinations.
  3. Identify species and habitat needs of common northwest freshwater fish, birds and wildlife.
  4. Operate hand compasses, level, global positioning systems, and electronic instruments in determining slopes, turning angles, running traverses, locating ownership boundaries, and determining locations.
  5. Utilize maps and aerial photographs in the management of natural resources, including the use of geographic information systems.
  6. Recognize common diseases and insect pests of forest trees and assess their damage.
  7. Use the computer as a tool for solving natural resources problems and applying cartographic concepts to the development of effective reference and theme-based maps.
  8. Apply field techniques to sample, measure, and monitor wildlife, birds and fish species and their habitat.
  9. Demonstrate human relationship skills and professional behavior needed for successful job performance.
  10. Recognize and apply the various silvicultural systems and techniques used in ecosystem management.
  11. Understand concepts of ecology, conservation and management for fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
  12. Understand concepts involved in soil science including soil management, conservation, and use of soils in forestry and agriculture.
  13. Maintain and safely operate a chainsaw.
  14. Write technical reports and give presentations.
The number of technical level jobs has increased in some areas and remained steady in most others. Public pressure for environmental protection and management has led agencies to undertake projects in all areas of the natural resources that require qualified field technicians to complete.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

The Freshwater Fisheries Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is designed to prepare students for technician-level careers in fisheries management, hatchery operations, and aquatic resource conservation. This hands-on program emphasizes practical skills in identifying regional freshwater and anadromous fish species and understanding their biology to support field sampling and management activities. Students receive training in fish health assessment, disease recognition, and hatchery techniques. The curriculum covers freshwater system evaluation, fluvial geomorphology, and water quality monitoring, with a focus on applying state and federal regulations. Graduates gain experience through field courses, developing the technical expertise needed to assist in conservation, restoration, and management projects as skilled fisheries technicians.
 
All students are required to complete a minimum of 400 hours of internship experience, which may be paid or volunteer. Internship preparation and placement are conducted in Occupational Experience I (NATRS 225), followed by documentation and evaluation of the experience in Occupational Experience II (NATRS 226). Prospective students are encouraged to consult with program faculty regarding internship requirements prior to application and enrollment.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 62


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NATRS202
Dendrology  
5
NATRS225
Natural Resources Occupational Experience I  
1
Total Credits
 
6

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NATRS209
Silviculture  
5
NATRS215
Forest Measurements  
5
Total Credits
 
10

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENVS 207
Wildlife Biology  
5
NATRS201
Forest Protection  
5
Total Credits
 
10

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENVS 220
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Natural Resources  
5
ENVS 226
Fisheries Techniques  
4
WATER209
Water Quality  
5
Total Credits
 
14

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENVS 205
Management of Anadromous Fisheries  
3
NATRS221
Applications in Geographic Information Systems  
4
NATRS226
Natural Resources Occupational Experience II  
2
Total Credits
 
9

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENVS 216
Fisheries Ecology  
5
ENVS 219
Freshwater Ecology  
5
WATER205
Differential Leveling  
3
Total Credits
 
13

1 May be substituted with MATH& 141 Precalculus I, MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats, or any 5 credit MATH or APLED math and above. Students intending to transfer should take MATH& 141, requires placement.
2 May be substituted with ENGL& 101 English Composition, ENGL& 235 Technical Writing, or APLED 121 Applied Written Communication. Students intending to transfer should take ENGL& 101.
3 A 400-hour internship, either paid or volunteer, must have been completed before registering for this course.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 10,196
$ 13,104
$ 22,933
Books
$ 125
$ 125
$ 125
Course Fees
$ 307
$ 307
$ 307
Institutional Fees
$ 672
$ 672
$ 3,195
Supplies and Materials
$ 100
$ 100
$ 100
Total Costs
$ 11,400
$ 14,308
$ 26,660

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

The Forestry option of the Natural Resource program is nationally accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The Wildlife/Fisheries option is accredited by the North American Wildlife Technicians Association (NAWTA).

The Natural Resources Program includes three options. Each option begins with the same three quarters of field-based introductory coursework. Then, you’ll specialize into either Natural Resources Management (Forestry), Wildlife/Fisheries, or Recreation.

The degree in Natural Resources Management is an applied forestry degree that prepares you to work as a technician in the forest products, timber management, and environmental conservation fields. Typical job titles include forest technician, wildland firefighter, environmental technician, timber cruiser, biological technician, forest and conservation worker, or forester.

The Wildlife/Fisheries degree option trains you to begin a career with State, Federal, Tribal agencies, or private consultants. Typical job titles include wildlife technician, wildlife aid, hatchery technician, fisheries technician, fish and game officer, or biological technician.

The Parks and Recreation degree is designed for a career in the State and National Parks. In addition to a working knowledge of forests and ecosystems, you’ll take coursework in communications and equipment operations and maintenance. Typical job titles include parks technician, parks aid, park ranger, or maintenance technician.

As part of all three program options, you will complete a required summer job experience that will provide connections in your career field and prepare you for employment after graduation.

Field sites are located throughout the region in diverse ecosystems from the top of Mount Spokane to the Columbia sagebrush/grassland ecosystems and transportation is provided to and from field sites.

For Natural Resources Program Only

Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Class Success Rate for Students 2020-2024

Overview
Class Seats Average Decimal Grade Average Success Average Pass
3,969 2.80 76.9% 87.2%
 

Grade Distribution
Course Grade Class Seats % of Total Class Seats
W  162 4.08%
Z  10 0.25%
0.0/F  336 8.47%
0.7-1.5  259 6.53%
1.6-2.5  540 13.61%
2.6-3.5  978 24.64%
3.6-4.0  1,684 42.43%
 

Average Pass Rate by Year
Year Average Pass Rate
2020-2021 86.4%
2021-2022 88.6%
2022-2023 85.7%
2023-2024 88.1%

 

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Pathway Specialist

scc.reg-office@scc.spokane.edu

Kerrin Langford

Pathway Specialist for Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens County Students
Kerrin.Langford@scc.spokane.edu
509-279-6737

Leslie Plum

Workforce Transition Specialist
Leslie.Plum@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8210

Katherine Cornelis

Workforce Transition Specialist for Ferry, Pend Oreielle, and Stevens County Students
Katherine.Cornelis@scc.spokane.edu
509-279-6961

David Stasney

Department Chair
David.Stasney@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7278

Academic Counseling

counseling@scc.spokane.edu