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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.

The Certificate in Forest & Wildlife Habitat Sampling prepares students for fieldwork in the areas of forestry, fish and wildlife, parks, and conservation. Graduates are ready for seasonal employment as aides, technicians, and firefighters with state, federal, and municipal agencies and private employers. Coursework provides a foundation in the identification and ecology of commercially valuable trees and associated habitats including forest measurements, silviculture, forest pathogens, and fire. Students develop an understanding of the ecology, conservation, and management of wildlife species and habitats. They learn to read maps, work in the public land survey system, navigate, and collect spatially-referenced data using map and compass as well as global positioning systems (GPS). Graduates are skilled in the use of common forestry and habitat sampling tools as well as the hand tools required for firefighting, trail, and park maintenance. Academic skills are rounded out with technical math, report preparation, and computing.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 26


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

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Total Costs
$
$
$

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