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Are you the outdoorsy type? Do you enjoy the aroma of the balsam firs or the smell of fresh, clean air? Perhaps getting your hands in the dirt and watching a seed turn into life is your passion. Nature is a wonderful thing, and being our environment’s protector and keeper is even better. A position as a Natural Resources Manager will allow you to pursue your true passion in this field.
Responsibilities
What does a Natural Resources Manager do, you ask? Our land, plants, water, animals, and even the soil are all elements of our natural resources. A Natural Resources Manager is an overseer who is hired to focus their attention on the effects of the relationships between humanity and our natural environment.
Our survival depends on the productivity of our land. As we are responsible for maintaining healthy environments on a daily basis, such as recycling and refraining from littering, the Natural Resources Manager looks at the scientific aspects of preserving our natural resources now and for our future children to enjoy.
Natural resources include the intricate handling of materials that occur in nature, such as our air, water, animals and fish, timber, coal, oil, and, of course, our land. This process involves studying the physical, economic, social, and biological aspects of using and preserving our land for future generations. All work and research must be done in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.
Specializations
While earning your Master’s degree in Natural Resources, you may want to consider that there are several areas of specialization in this field to choose from:
- Pollution Control departments concentrate on how our air, water, and land pollution is managed and how to preserve these important resources.
- Economics of Natural Resources regulates legal and ethical policies, as well as, overseeing administrative issues and the management of our resources to sustain and protect the ecosystems.
- The area of Earth or Physical Sciences studies soils and geographic information systems and the physical and chemical properties of our ecosystems.
- The Science of Biotic Resources focuses on the study of wildlife, vegetation, and landscapes and oversees the use of land for recreational purposes.
- The specialization of Social Sciences involves the study of humans and their effect on our environment. This will also involve anthropology, sociology, and emergency management.
- The area of Environmental Communications focuses on the use of social media, journalism, and public relations regarding current issues and concerns of the public.
Educational Requirements
The Natural Resource Management position requires a master’s degree in addition to, experience in a related field. The work environment may include a combination of outdoor and office/lab settings. Protective clothing may be needed for rugged or harsh weather climates and rough terrain.
Coursework
Coursework for earning your Master’s degree in Natural Resources may include animal and plant biology, ecology, watersheds, biology diversity, wildlife management, environmental ethics, and policy, together with geology, chemistry, and training in forests and rangelands. Most graduate programs offer practical training along with summer and seasonal internships to complete your degree.
Although entry-level natural resource positions can be obtained with a bachelor’s degree, to qualify for a management position, you will need your Master’s degree in Natural Resources.
If you are interested in learning more about this area of expertise, check out our Best Master’s Programs for Natural Resource Management.
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