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  • Stockton Island research

    Natural Resources

Preserving our future.

Do you love working outdoors? Do you understand the importance of mitigating ecological impacts of climate change? Then you’ll love our natural resources program. Surrounded by a million acres of forest and the largest freshwater lake in the world, our campus is the perfect place for you build a foundation based on the ecological, economic, policy, and management skills you can use to protect and enhance Earth’s natural resources. You’ll be immersed in wildlife, fisheries, forests, wetlands, streams, and lakes of this northern ecosystem, all while attending classes with faculty who are making a difference in the world.

A degree in natural resources will prepare you for careers in government, Tribal agencies, not-for-profit organizations, or the private sector, as well as for graduate school. Northland graduates have gone on to do incredible things—from mitigating ecological impacts of climate change in Antarctica to managing fires out west to studying sharks in South Africa, and everything in between.

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“It gives me a thrill to think that I could possibly be a part of the wildlife research realm in my future, helping to create and perpetuate positive change for the environment and our fellow inhabitants.” Jennifer Franke, Biology Major

Program Emphasis Options

  • Conservation and Restoration of Ecosystems

    Integrates theory and practice in plant communities, design concepts, and assessment techniques, all while building a foundation in geology, biology, and the natural history of ecosystems.

  • Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology

    Prepare yourself for a career studying and managing wild populations of animals for multiple uses. You will study local wildlife populations while gaining a basis in anatomy, physiology, genetics, and ecology.

  • Forestry

    Become a leader in the field by studying the biological, ecological, social, and economic worlds to understand how trees and forested ecosystems work, and how forests interact with other Earth systems.

Why Northland?

Experiential Learning

An education at Northland involves more than just sitting in lecture halls. We combine classroom learning with immersive field studies and opportunities within the community to create a one-of-a-kind learning experience. Our career-focused curriculum will provide you with the tools and confidence to succeed in anything you do.

Access to Financial Aid

Think all private colleges are expensive? Think again. With 99% of all Northland College students receiving some form of financial aid, you can receive a private school education at a public school price.

Proven Outcomes

A degree from Northland is your pathway to opportunity. Our 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio allows our professors to personally invest in your success, and the results of this approach speak for themselves. 93.5% of our recent graduates are employed or in graduate school.

Full-spectrum Sustainability

At Northland, we live our sustainability mission every day. Going green is a part of everything we do as an institution and everything you’ll do as a student—from how you’ll live, to what you’ll learn, and ways you can contribute.

Live and Learn in a Natural World

Our location in Ashland, Wisconsin, a small, safe community of just under 8,000 tucked along the south shore of Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and over a million acres of national forest, creates truly unique educational and recreational experiences.

Work with the Best and Brightest

Our faculty are passionate about learning—and not just student learning. They are dedicated learners and scholars, and that shines through in the classroom and in the field. And they’re more than just teachers. They are mentors who often establish life-long relationships with students.

Ready to take the next step?

Get in touch to learn more and start planning your journey at Northland College.

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