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Natural Resources Management

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Program Overview

The Natural Resources Management program prepares you with the necessary skills and certifications to work in the natural resources field. You will learn about the theories and physical aspects of conservation practices.

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

  • Campus and Community Projects: You will help manage two on-campus ponds and prairies as well as work with community members and conservation agencies on natural resources projects.

  • Equipment: Train on a variety equipment, including boats, UTV’s, canoes, kayaks, fire equipment, forestry equipment, and electrofishing equipment. You will spend a good portion of your time getting hands-on experience in the field.

  • Field Trips and Activities: You will experience a variety of natural resources activities throughout the year, both on and off campus. A trademark of the program is the Advanced Outdoor Recreation Techniques class in which students travel to a remote wilderness paddling and backpacking destination.

  • Internship/Employment Experience: Gain 320 hours of real-world work experience ensuring you have the skills you need to succeed in a conservation career.

Certifications

You may receive the following certifications: Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicators, First Aid, CPR, National Certified Interpretative Guide, Wilderness First Aid, Boater Safety, ATV Safety, Hunter/Firearm Safety, Leave No Trace Trainer, Leave No Trace Master Educator, S130/S190 Wildland Firefighter, Fish Iowa!, Electrofishing Safety, Chainsaw Safety, and various additional federal certifications.

At A Glance
Awards
  • Associate of Applied Science
  • Certificate
Length of Study 4 months – 2 years
Tuition Grant Available

This program qualifies for the Kibbie Grant.

Students must apply for and be awarded the Kibbie Grant.
 

Faculty Spotlight

Ryan Kurtz

"I enjoy introducing students who have an interest in natural resources to the diversity of opportunities in the conservation field."

Read Ryan's bio.

Natural Resources Activities

As a Natural Resources Management student you will have many opportunities to experience a variety of natural resources activities both on and off campus through your studies at Hawkeye.

Fall Semester Activities

  • Wilderness Trip
  • Leave No Trace Certification
  • Pond Seining
  • Stihl Chain Saw Safety Clinic
  • Canoe Float and Overnight Campout
  • Electro-fishing
  • Prairie Restoration
  • Trail maintenance and construction
  • Timber stand improvement
  • Equipment operation
  • UTV Safety Field Day

Spring Semester Activities

  • Iowa County Conservation Board Conference: Winterfest Collegiate Day
  • Winter and Spring Fishing Clinic
  • The Iowa Wildlife Society Conference
  • Iowa Women in Natural Resources Conference
  • Necropsy Service Project with Iowa DNR
  • Hunter/Firearms Safety Field Day
  • Wilderness Trip
  • Fire Certification Field Day

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the North American Wildlife Technology Association. Hawkeye is the only college in Iowa to be accredited through the North American Wildlife Technology Association.

This accreditation provides assurance of the context and quality of the education offered. The program is reviewed every five years to maintain accreditation status, ensure curriculum standards are met; and recognize specific knowledge, skill sets, and aptitudes.

Transfer Information

Articulation agreements allow you to transfer your Natural Resources Management coursework to the Conservation Management program at Upper Iowa University, the Forestry program at Iowa State University, and the Environmental Resource Management program at the University of Northern Iowa.

If you plan to transfer, work closely with a program advisor to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

Video Overview

Natural Resources Management at Hawkeye Community College

Get hands-on experience and exposure to many Natural Resources Management fields to help you choose the best career path for you.

See More Video

Program Pathways

Natural Resources Aide Certificate

Program Details

Award Certificate
Credits 9
Program Start Fall
Number of Terms 1
Time to Complete 4 months
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Natural Resources Management – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Environmental Conservation
  • Equipment Operation and Safety
    Fire Management
  • Native Vegetation
    Wildlife Identification
  • Outdoor Recreation Techniques
    Outdoor Recreation II

Next step: Continue to Natural Resources Management Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program or graduate and enter the workforce.

Natural Resources Management Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Program Details

Award Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Credits 64
Program Start Fall
Number of Terms 4
Time to Complete 2 years
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Natural Resources Management – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Environmental Conservation
  • Equipment Operation and Safety
  • Native Vegetation
  • Outdoor Recreation Techniques
Term 2
  • Fire Management
  • Foundations of GIS and GPS
  • Fundamentals of Soil Science
  • Outdoor Recreation II
  • Pesticide Application Certification
  • Principles of Interpretation
  • Wildlife Identification
Term 3
  • Advanced Outdoor Recreation Techniques
  • Aquatic Management
  • Natural Areas Management
  • Woodland Management
Term 4
  • Conservation Biology
  • Employment Experience
  • Wildlife Ecology
  • Wildlife Management
Math Electives
  • Applied Math

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

You have completed the Natural Resources Management Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program.

Careers

Positions

Careers in Natural Resources Management include:

  • Wildlife technician
  • Fishery technician
  • Park technician
  • Naturalist
  • Conservation law enforcement
  • Roadside manager
  • Soil conservation technician
  • Environmental consultant
  • Forestry

To increase your employment opportunities and be competitive in your future career, it is recommended that you continue to a four-year degree program.

Example Careers and Average Wages
Entry Average Experienced
Forest and Conservation Technicians $33,980 $46,700 $56,780
Foresters $66,910 $85,720 $87,180

Source: 2023 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development — Statewide Wages

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:
Business Location
County Secondary Roads Many Iowa locations
Iowa County Conservation Boards Many Iowa locations
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Many Iowa locations
North Dakota Parks and Recreation North Dakota
Pheasant Forever Iowa and South Dakota
Stantec Environmental Services Many U.S. locations
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Many U.S. locations
U.S. Forest Service Many U.S. locations
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Many Wisconsin locations

Program Admission

Step #1: Apply at Hawkeye

  1. Apply for admission at Hawkeye.

  2. Send official transcripts to Admissions.

Step #2: Program Admittance Score Requirement

In order to be eligible for the Natural Resources Management program, all students must meet minimum score requirements in math and literacy. For appropriate college success course placement, work with your program advisor.

Minimum score requirements
ALEKS ACCUPLACER Next Generation ACCUPLACER Classic COMPASS ACT GPA
Math 6 240 Arithmetic
241 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS)		 40 Arithmetic 24 Pre-Algebra 14 2.00
Literacy 228 Reading or
229 Writing		 42 Reading or
42 Sentence Skills		 47 Reading or
20 Writing		 14 Reading or
14 English		 2.00

The ALEKS Placement Assessment can be taken online. ACCUPLACER Next Generation and ACT can be taken at Hawkeye. ACCUPLACER Classic and COMPASS are no longer offered, but if you've taken either in the past your test scores can be used for program admittance.

Step #3: Program Acceptance

Applicants successfully demonstrating college readiness criteria are eligible for acceptance.

Applicants falling short of successful demonstration of college readiness criteria will be accepted to a Pre-Program. As a pre-program student, you will begin with general education and prerequisite classes. An advisor will help you create an academic plan to meet your program admission requirements. Once you have completed your pre-program coursework contact Admissions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Program Contacts
Admissions
Email Admissions 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Academic/College Success Advisor
Last Names A – L
 Kaitlyn Harris Email Kaitlyn Harris 319-296-4014 ext.1066 Bremer Hall 136A
Academic/College Success Advisor
Last Names M – Z
 John Peterson Email John Peterson 319-296-4014 ext.1448 Bremer Hall 136B
Faculty Advisor
Ryan Kurtz Email Ryan Kurtz 319-296-2329 ext.1312 Bremer Hall 111F

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