Life on Earth lives in a very delicate balance. Every insect, plant, and animal is interconnected in one way or another. Unfortunately, many aspects of human development, such as modern technology and large-scale manufacturing, threaten to destroy this balance. One of the goals of wildlife and wildlands science and management programs is to ensure that this delicate balance remains intact. Conserving resources, protecting endangered species, monitoring ecosystem and climate changes, and helping to develop more responsible legislation are just a few of the areas one might cover in a typical program.
A program that prepares individuals to conserve and manage wilderness areas and the flora and fauna therein, and manage wildlife reservations and zoological facilities for recreational, commercial, and ecological purposes. Includes instruction in wildlife biology; environmental science; natural resources management and policy; outdoor recreation and parks management; the design and operation of natural and artificial wildlife habitats; applicable law and regulations; and related administrative and communications skills.
Because wildlife and wildlands science and management encompass such a large field, there are many different aspects one might cover. Students who attend environmental science programs in pursuit of certificates all the way to doctoral degrees can study anything from botany to geology to veterinary medicine to forestry to meteorology. Quite obviously, the world is a large place with countless things to discover, study, analyze, and protect. And recent evidence suggests that the need for greater environmental protection will only become more acute in the coming years.
According to the US Department of Labor, conservation scientist and foresters will enjoy slower than average job growth in the coming years, but this particular study by the Department of Labor took place before hurricane Katrina, avian flu, the Indonesian tsunami, and other major catastrophes that have since received greater global attention. As public awareness of environmental dangers increases, there is a good chance that there will be more demand for graduates of wildlife and wildlands science and management programs.
Source: US Department of Labor