To work as a park naturalist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have a bachelor's degree in a life science.

Education after high school

Most park naturalists have a bachelor's degree. Several fields of study provide a good background for this occupation. These include biology, forestry, and wildlife management. You can also choose history, environmental science, anthropology, or natural resource management. Some students major in education and minor in a life science program, or vice versa.

Work experience

Experience working in a park is very helpful in this field. You may need one to two years of work experience. While in college or high school, you might volunteer at a park, work for the forest service, or complete an internship.

On-the-job training

Park naturalists spend up to one month learning about their place of employment. This means you may spend time learning about specifics, such as administrative duties and park procedures.