by our College Data Analytics TeamNatural Resources Conservation is a wide field and contains many different majors from Wildlife Management to Fisheries Science. However, there are some lesser-known majors that may interest you. Choosing a more narrow focus allows you the opportunity to focus on a particular area of natural resource conservation and go into a field that you are genuinely passionate about.
One lesser known major is Sustainable Resource Management. In this major students will learn how to ensure the longevity of resources that are used often. Students could also choose to major in Zoology and learn about animals, conserving habitats and the intricacy of ecological systems. These are just a few examples of subjects you may want to concentrate in. Before committing to a college, examine their course offerings to ensure they offer the classes you are interested in.
Any major in Natural Resources will include a strong science curriculum ranging from biology and ecology to chemistry and environmental science. Sustainable Resource Management will also include classes in policy and wildlife management while Zoology will focus on animal physiology, genetics, and mammalogy.
Studying Natural Resources Conservation (Other) explores Natural Resources And Conservation, Other. Read on to learn the essential details every natural resources conservation (other) major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering natural resources conservation (other) programs.
Nationwide, natural resources conservation (other) is a popular field of study, with 132 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Natural Resources Conservation (Other) Schools ranking analyzes these 11 schools to determine the best overall colleges for natural resources conservation (other) students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of natural resources conservation (other) programs later in this article.
Coursework for Natural Resources Conservation (Other) build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations natural resources conservation (other) graduates commonly enter.
If you have a passion for the environment and wish to ensure certain resources and animals will be around for future generations, then a major in this field could be perfect for you. Many of the majors in this field of study could lead to spending time outdoors performing fieldwork while also providing the opportunity to work in labs or even classrooms informing the public of the importance of natural resource conservation.
Students interested in this field should take as many science courses as possible during High School. Critical and analytical thinking and problem solving skills are also important. Many of the majors in this field also require students to learn to be excellent communicators and work on their speaking and writing skills.
Internships, summer jobs, or volunteering with conservation efforts will provide experience that will be helpful while pursuing a major in Natural Resources. Organizations such as The Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. National Park Service are committed to conserving resources and habitats and often allow students the opportunity to learn from them as an intern.
The skill set emphasized by a natural resources conservation (other) program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a natural resources conservation (other) major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several natural resources conservation (other) degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 15 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 61 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 56 |
People currently working in careers related to natural resources conservation (other) tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 62.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 22.1% |
| Master’s degree | 15.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in natural resources conservation (other) careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in the Natural Resources, including Sustainable Resource Management or Zoology among others, will prepare graduates for a career at any number of conservation organizations or government agencies. The more advanced the degree, the more opportunities will be available to graduates along with greater opportunities to advance. The career fields in natural conservation have been slowly growing over the past couple years. Competition for jobs may be high depending on what area you live in.
Majoring in natural resources conservation (other) can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to natural resources conservation (other).
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to natural resources conservation (other).
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of natural resources conservation (other) graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,432 |
| 4 years | $42,716 |
| 5 years | $47,153 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for natural resources conservation (other) graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers natural resources conservation (other) grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,966 |
With 11 different natural resources conservation (other) programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased natural resources conservation (other) school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in natural resources conservation (other), you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Other | 132 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 23,853 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,090 |
| Forestry | 2,460 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 2,419 |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | 407 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
