Initial Contact: Dr. Robert Eckert E-mail: r.eckert@unh.edu Phone: (603) 862-2508 Office: 206E James Hall
Print the Programs of Study
	Major in Environmental Conservation Studies
	Minor in Environmental Conservation Studies
	Minor in Sustainable Living
	Environmental Conservation Studies Internal Transfers
	Environmental Conservation Studies Honors-in-Major

Industrial civilization faces grave problems today; ecological and economic dangers demand a serious, realistic awareness on the part of society. The Department of Natural Resources has responded to this need for well trained, conscientious individuals by creating and developing an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program in Environmental Conservation Studies. This program focuses on the critical relationships between people and their environment and offers challenging educational opportunities in both the technological and humanitarian aspects of environmental problems.

Program of Studies

The Environmental Conservation Studies (ECS) major gives students a broad, interdisciplinary background for developing their understanding of environmental and resource problems and what is needed to solve them. It also provides a solid foundation for the development of their critical thinking skills. The program is designed to ensure that its graduates possess broad-based integrated knowledge of how local and global ecological systems work as well as an understanding of the interdependency between people and the environment. Building on a solid natural science base, students discover how political, institutional and economic systems relate to environmental quality and learn ways to sustainably manage human activities within the constraints of the Earth’s ecological systems. Students acquire a set of basic skills and problem solving tools that enable them to tackle complex environmental conservation problems. Graduates will have gained hands-on practical experience integrating and applying their accumulated knowledge and skills in real world situations.

International education to support ECS students’ educational goals is encouraged as a means to broaden their perspectives and knowledge, particularly through the EcoQuest Study Abroad Program in New Zealand. ECS students may also take advantage of a wide range of undergraduate research opportunities.

ECS students meet a set of 21 CORE requirements, through which they develop a foundation in natural resources, biology, ecology, chemistry, water quality management, soils, natural resources and environmental policy, economics, environmental ethics, and environmental law. They also acquire basic statistics, oral communication, writing and geographic information skills and develop their abilities to apply their knowledge and skills professionally though a practicum (internship) and a capstone Senior Project.

In addition to the CORE, each student chooses a 32 hour concentration, which may be either self-designed in consultation with a faculty advisor, or selected from a range of 8 (32 credit hours) course sequences that provide a specific focus for students as each develops an area of academic competency and the skill sets to help meet their career goals. Examples of concentrations include: land and water resource policy and management, sustainable agriculture and food production, international environmental policy and sustainable development, environmental policy and economics, conservation biology, environmental communication, education and leadership. Students with strong interests in field based natural resource management careers can choose a focus on a particular land or water natural resource system, such as forest resources, marine and coastal resources, watersheds or wetlands. Those with wildlife interests and habitat protection may choose conservation biology. Students with interests in environmental policy, politics, law and administration may want to gain additional background in the social sciences. Those with interests in environmental education may want to obtain a teaching certificate or develop expertise outdoor education. Others may want to pursue interests in environmental communication through courses in journalism, the visual or theater arts.

Environmental Conservation Studies Faculty

The ECS faculty consists of five professors whose primary teaching assignment is ECS, twelve professors who contribute part of their time to the program, and three adjunct professors. These professors represent expertise in natural resources and environmental policy, environmental education, forestry, ecological ethics, economics, ecology, conservation biology, economics, coastal and marine sciences, fisheries management, water resources and wetlands management, soil science, remote sensing, and sustainable living. Most have active research programs. You can view Faculty Profiles here.

Graduate School Placement

Students graduating with a B.S. degree in Environmental Conservation Studies, with excellent academic records, are qualified for graduate work in environmental studies, environmental sciences, natural resources and environmental policy, conservation biology, environmental law, and environmental education.

Employment Opportunities

B.S. degree graduates will find increasing opportunities for employment with private or non-governmental conservation organizations, local, state or federal natural resources or planning agencies, industrial firms (e.g., waste management, compliance, and energy conservation), primary and secondary education, field studies programs, journalism, and specialized environmental consulting firms. A number of graduates also choose to serve in the Peace Corps or Ameri-Corps prior to making more specific career path commitments. Go to our Job Search page to search for the job!

Study Abroad Programs

The EcoQuest Study Abroad Program in New Zealand, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources at UNH, provides highly motivated students with the opportunity to engage in a unique multidisciplinary, research-oriented field study program. Four fully integrated courses (NR 660, 661, 662, & 663 for 16 credit hours) focus on the ecological, resource management, conservation and sustainability issues important to the natural environment, economy, and culture of New Zealand over a full semester. Alternatively, students can participate in a summer session, five-week two-course intensive (NR 660 & 662 for 8 credit hours). Students engaged in this learning community will examine unique ecosystems, watershed scale restoration, and undertake a problem-solving, hands-on integrated approach to resource management investigations, which incorporate cultural, economic, and policy dimensions of New Zealand environment, while working closely with an accomplished corps of professors, field leaders and guest lecturers.

EcoQuest welcomes applications from eligible students at accredited colleges and universities worldwide. For more information about the EcoQuest program, contact Donna Dowal, Program Director, at ecoquest@unh.edu or call (603) 862-2036.

Blackboard for the Prospective Student

So, you're interested, right? Now you want to know what it's like to be a Natural Resources undergraduate student. Well, you can get an in-depth look at the courses we offer, and experience what it's like to be a part of the Department of Natural Resources by visiting our Blackboard for the Prospective Student web site. Here you can tour some of our most popular courses - view photo slideshows of students in the field and in the classroom, read course syllabi, hear from the Department Chair, and much more!

To experience it now, follow these simple instructions:
Note: Blackboard must be viewed using Internet Explorer.

• Start at the Blackboard home page: http://blackboard.unh.edu
• Click on the Organizations & Departments tab at the top
• Follow the link for Academic Departments
• Click on Department of Natural Resources - Outreach