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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.

Options to continue at a university and earn a four-year degree are also available.

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 through 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.
  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. Parks maintenance and equipment.
  11. Recognize and apply the various silvicultural systems and techniques used in ecosystem management.
  12. Understand concepts of ecology, conservation and management for fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
  13. Understand concepts involved in soil science including soil management, conservation, and use of soils in forestry and agriculture.
  14. Maintain and safely operate a chainsaw.
  15. 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 associate in applied science degree in Natural Resource Management prepares students to work in the forestry area. This program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Two additional options are available: Parks and Recreation or Wildlife Fisheries. The Parks and Recreation option prepares students for park maintenance and/or interpretive positions.  The Wildlife/Fisheries option prepares students to perform field sampling as well as habitat restoration work.

All students must complete an internship of at least 400 hours to complete the degree.  Second year: Students may remain in the main program which is forestry-based, or they may select one of the two options for an AAS degree which requires a total of 105 credits.

Program Map for

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Choose program map:

Total Program Credits: 54


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NATRS112
Natural Resources Mathematical Applications   3
5
NATRS120
Basic Computer Applications in Natural Resources  
2
ENVS 220
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Natural Resources   4
5
NATRS230
Global Positioning Systems  
3
NATRS204
Maps and Aerial Photo Interpretation  
5
NATRS221
Applications in Geographic Information Systems  
4
 
Natural Resources Electives   1
3
 
Natural Special Project Electives   2
3
Total Credits
 
30
Natural Resources Electives: Choose 3 credits Natural Resources Electives: Choose 3 credits  
ENVS 207
Wildlife Biology  
5
ENVS 217
Wildlife Techniques   6
4
ENVS 226
Fisheries Techniques   7
4
NATRS216
Forest Inventory   8
5

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NATRS112
Natural Resources Mathematical Applications   3
5
NATRS120
Basic Computer Applications in Natural Resources  
2
Total Credits
 
7

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENVS 220
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Natural Resources   4
5
NATRS230
Global Positioning Systems  
3
Total Credits
 
8

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NATRS204
Maps and Aerial Photo Interpretation  
5
NATRS221
Applications in Geographic Information Systems  
4
Total Credits
 
9

Natural Resources Electives  

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENVS 207
Wildlife Biology  
5
ENVS 217
Wildlife Techniques   6
4
ENVS 226
Fisheries Techniques   7
4
NATRS216
Forest Inventory   8
5

Natural Special Project Electives  

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
NATRS232
Field Projects in Natural Resources  
3
1 Students may select courses from the Natural Resource Elective's group for a minimum of three credits.
2 Students must be enrolled in the Natural Resources Management, Parks and Recreation option, or the Wildlife/Fisheries option program.
3 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean. NATRS 112 must be passed with a 2.0 or higher grade.
4 NATRS 220 contains a prerequisite of NATRS 120 or permission of instructor. Student must be enrolled in the Natural Resource Management, Parks and Recreation option, or the Wildlife/Fisheries option program.
5 Student must be enrolled in the Natural Resource Management or the Parks and Recreation option program.
6 ENVS 217 contains a prerequisite of NATRS 120, 122, ENVS 207 or permission of instructor. Student must be enrolled in the Wildlife/Fisheries option program.
7 ENVS 226 contains a prerequisite which requires enrollment in the Wildlife/Fisheries option program or permission of instructor.
8 NATRS 216 contains a prerequisite of NATRS 215, 122 or permission of instructor and enrollment in the Natural Resource management program.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 3,519
$ 4,882
$ 8,791
Books
$ 702
$ 702
$ 702
Course Fees
$ 138
$ 138
$ 138
Institutional Fees
$ 1,594
$ 1,594
$ 1,594
Total Costs
$ 5,953
$ 7,316
$ 11,225

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.


 

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Tom Rieger

Tom.Rieger@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7267