With coursework and field experiences focused on ecosystem restoration and species conservation, you get a rock-solid foundation in ecology and an understanding of the physical and biological components of ecosystems. You will explore major threats to local and global biodiversity and efforts to mitigate those threats (i.e., habitat loss, exploitation, pollution, global climate change, and invasive species). Through skills training and project-based learning, we will teach you the practical nuts-and-bolts of conducting an ecological site assessment and designing and implementing conservation and restoration plans. We will lead you on field trips to a variety of habitats and learn to recognize key species and their natural histories. You’ll discuss adaptive restoration and applications of prescribed fire and other ecosystem management tools. Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to apply your education to real-world challenges and to make a difference by working to conserve biodiversity and ecological integrity of natural areas and to restore degraded ecosystems.

Fisheries and wildlife ecology will prepare you for a career studying and managing wild populations of animals. At Northland, you will learn the basics while studying populations of wolves, flying squirrels, sharp-tailed grouse, trout, and sturgeon, to name a few. Our courses and lab work cover anatomy, physiology, genetics, and ecology, so you’ll know your animals inside and out. You will also gain technical skills essential for monitoring and managing wildlife. Our intensive Field Techniques class provides a month of hands-on, outdoor learning and collaboration with local wildlife and fisheries professionals. We also emphasize the human dimensions of managing animal populations and the interests of different stakeholder groups.

Forestry is more than trees. Way more. A Northland College forestry degree will take you beyond conventional forestry to becoming a skilled leader and thinker in this field. The modern forester needs to be fluent in the biological, ecological, social, and economic worlds, to understand how trees and forested ecosystems work, and how forests interact with other Earth systems. You will learn about the interconnectedness of forests, human society, and culture from a historic to modern land ethic viewpoint while exploring the past, present, and future role of forests as a commodity that can provide potentially renewable and sustainable raw materials, fuels, sources for recreation, clean water, diverse habitat, carbon sequestration, and more. In four years, you’ll be ready for a future in ecological restoration, scientific monitoring, wildland fire, private or governmental land management, environmental policy and law, traditional and alternative timber products, or preparation for postgraduate degrees.

• Natural Resources Major (BS) requirements
  • Conservation and Restoration of Ecosystems Emphasis requirements
  • Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology Emphasis requirements
  • Forestry Emphasis requirements