Programs in natural resource conservation teach people how to use, improve, and protect natural resources. Students learn biology and natural resource management. They study soil, air, water, plants, and wildlife. They learn ways to protect resources by changing some methods used by industries.

People have always used nature's gifts to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves. With overpopulation and advanced technologies, however, people often exhaust the resources they depend on. For example, it is expected that Americans will double the amount of trash we throw out every 35 years! What's more, over a third of that garbage is from paper products – things like napkins, paper towels, and newspapers. For many reasons, then, conservation is necessary. It takes science and management to help us use natural resources without depleting them.

In natural resource conservation programs, you take courses from many areas of study. You take courses in biology, ecology, and botany. You also take courses in political science, economics, and sociology. You take specific conservation courses, including wildlife, water, and environmental management courses. Many programs encourage you to design your own program of study. This allows you to focus on an area of interest, such as fishery conservation, soil preservation, or forestry management.

People with degrees in natural resource conservation have many employment options. You can work for different government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency. You can also work for local, state, and national parks. You can even become a nature writer or environmental activist! In addition, many people become program managers, research analysts, and with additional training, high school teachers.

Over 100 colleges and universities offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in natural resources science and conservation. Two-year colleges typically offer the first two years of study in biology and natural resource science. Students can often transfer the credits to a four-year school. Master's degrees typically take five or six years of full-time study after high school. Doctoral degree programs typically take three to five years after the master's degree. Most people with graduate degrees become professors.