Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Management
Why Study Natural Resources and Environmental Management?
As more users place demands on scarce environmental resources, the need for conservation and sustainability of our renewable natural assets is greater than ever. Natural resources and environmental management (NREM) students gain applied skills and knowledge of environmental stewardship through hands-on, experiential learning in indoor and outdoor field-based classes. NREM graduates are prepared to care for the land and water-based ecosystems of Michigan and beyond, and to serve the people whose well-being depends on these resources.
Prescribed burn video of a research plot at the Kalamazoo Nature Center
The Natural Resources and Environmental Management Program at GVSU
Ecology is the foundational science of the NREM program. Students learn to combine ecological knowledge with quantitative methods, economics, and policy, and address local and global natural resource-related situations. In the interdisciplinary NREM courses, students examine sources of conflict leading to environmental degradation and learn methods of sustainable resource management. Students have opportunities to develop expertise in ecosystem restoration, wildland fire management, soil and water conservation, watershed management, recreation management, forest management, wildlife management, environmental economics and policy, conservation biology, fisheries, and applications in geographic information systems.
A unique certificate opportunity for NREM majors is the Ecological Restoration Certificate which is directly aligned with requirements for the Society for Ecological Restoration's Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner-in-Training (CERPIT) certification (SER CERPIT). NREM is the only academic degree program aligned with CERPIT certification in Michigan and one of only 10 aligned institutions in the Midwest.
Another NREM-related certificate includes the Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Natural Resources Undergraduate Certificate
Internships and Research Opportunities
NREM students may gain practical work experience through internships with natural resources and environmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry. In addition, they can arrange research projects with faculty on a wide range of topics including wildlife management, invasive species control, ecological restoration, renewable energy, and endangered species conservation.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the GVSU NREM program are competitive for employment with conservation agencies and organizations including local, state, and federal government agencies, environmental consulting firms, tribal and non-governmental organizations, education and advocacy organizations, and non-profit conservation groups. Career paths include a variety of natural resources management areas such as forestry, fisheries, wildlife, watershed management, soil and water conservation, parks and recreation, environmental protection and regulation, wildland fire management, ecological restoration, and environmental policy, sustainability, and advocacy. For information on applying for federal agency positions, see How to get a job with the US Forest Service and Basic qualification requirements for US Fish and Wildlife Careers. The NREM program also prepares students to pursue advanced studies in graduate school.
Full Time Employment, Seasonal Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer Opportunities
The following websites contain information on finding employment, internships, and volunteer opportunities with conservation agencies and organizations:
Texas A&M Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Job Board
U.S. Office of Personnel Management Pathways Program
Student Conservation Association
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Consulting Job Openings
West Michigan Environmental Action Council
Ottawa County Parks
Kent County Parks
Land Conservancy of West Michigan
Blandford Nature Center
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kellogg Biological Station
Non-Governmental Organizations. Examples include:
Conservation International
Defenders of Wildlife
Natural Resources Defense Council
Sierra Club
The Nature Conservancy
World Wildlife Fund
These websites contain lists and descriptions of many additional NGOs: Top U.S. Conservation Organizations, Most influential sustainability NGOs, and Green Dreamer.
Student Activities
The Natural Resources and Environmental Management Program hosts several student groups including the Student Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, Soil Judging Club, and the Ecological Restoration Club. These groups provide opportunities for students to network with professionals and engage in many natural resource management activities such as ecological restoration, prescribed fire, soil exploration, wildflower hikes, river and highway cleanups, and other fun, environment-focused activities.
