Conservation biology jobs require a bachelor’s degree and often involve working for local, state, or federal government. Specialized degrees are available from state land grant institutions, and jobs include soil conservationist, forestry and water conservationist, range manager, and more.
Conservation biology jobs cover a wide range of opportunities. Many conservation biology jobs require a bachelor of science degree, and the conservationist should plan on spending a lot of time outside. Conservation biologists can also earn a graduate degree, which will qualify them for higher positions, as well as higher-level teaching jobs. There are many different jobs available for the conservation biologist including soil conservationist, forestry and water conservationist.
Most conservation biologists work for local, state or federal government. Private or publicly traded companies may also employ conservation biologists. Conservationists in this line of work help companies maintain compliance with state and federal laws regarding the environment.
Foresters are conservation biologists who work to determine the best logging methods to enhance an area’s recreational benefits, conserve an area, and protect the environment in the area being logged. They also work with individual landowners, the government or companies to keep the forest healthy, prevent the spread of insects and disease and reduce the risk of wildfires.
Range managers are conservation biologists who protect rangelands. Rangelands make up much of the land in the western United States, as well as parts of Alaska. These public lands are often used for livestock grazing in addition to wildlife habitat. These lands often contain natural resources and activities such as mineral extraction and mining take place on them. The multiple expected uses of these lands impose specific demands on them. The area manager works to develop a plan to manage the various uses to prevent damage to the ecosystem by monitoring soil levels, plants and animals in the area and maximizing production. They also work to ensure that areas disturbed by mineral extraction are returned to usable form after work is completed.
Soil and water conservationists provide support to farmers and ranchers. While typically employed by the state or federal government, these types of conservation biology jobs often involve working with private landowners to develop programs that allow them to work on their land without causing damage to the soil or water. Soil conservationists can also help landowners increase the productivity of their land, prevent erosion, and educate the landowner about state and federal funds that may be available to help better manage the land.
People interested in conservation biology jobs usually graduate from the state land grant institution. While many colleges and universities offer degrees in biology, specialized degrees in conservation biology are not as widely available. Land grant institutes often offer specific degree programs in conservation biology, as well as providing opportunities for students to participate in internships and work-study programs related to their field.
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