Programs in water, wetlands, and marine resources teach people to manage freshwater and saltwater resources. Students learn about the ecology of marshes, swamps, rivers, lakes, and oceans. They study water conservation and uses. They also study flood control and pollution.

Before Rachel Carson's 1962 groundbreaking book "Silent Spring" and subsequent environmental awareness, a swamp was just a swamp. Now it is a valuable ecosystem and resource for plant and animal life. About 100 years ago, frogs and crickets made a lot more noise on summer evenings. Their populations have been depleted by city growth and environmental toxins. This program attracts students whose goal is to use natural resources well and protect them for the future.

In this program, you take courses from many areas of study. You take science courses in biology, ecology, chemistry, and botany. You also take social science courses such as political science, economics, and sociology. You take specific conservation courses that focus on preserving and studying the science of water, wetlands, and aquatic life. You can also take land use planning and coastal and marine law courses. Many programs encourage you to design your own program of study. This allows you to focus on an area of interest, such as coastal preservation or fishery management.

People with degrees in water, wetlands, and marine resources management 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.

About 20 colleges and universities offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in water, wetlands, and marine resources management. Two-year colleges typically offer the first two years of study in biology and natural resources. 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.