Natural Resources Management

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 the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area or backpacking in wilderness destinations.
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.

Natural Resources Activities

As a Natural Resources Management student you will have many opportunities to experience a variety of natural resources activities throughout the year, both on and off campus.

Fall Semester Activities

August

Boundary Waters Wilderness Trip

September

Iowa DNR Beach Seining
Leave No Trace Certification
Pond Seining
Program Cookout
Stihl Chain Saw Safety Clinic
Canoe Float and Overnight Campout

November

Natural Resources Club Potluck
National River Museum and Aquarium Trip

December

Chronic Wasting Disease testing with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at Sweet Marsh
Natural Resources Club Potluck

Spring Semester Activities

January

Iowa County Conservation Board Conference: Winterfest Collegiate Day

February

Winter Fishing Clinic
Winter Campout, Snowshoeing, and Ice Fishing
The Iowa Wildlife Society Conference
Iowa Women in Natural Resources Conference

March

Necropsy Service Project with Iowa DNR
Deer Classic
Hunter/Firearms Safety Field Day
Wilderness Trip

April

Fire Certification Field Day
Wilderness First Aid Certification
Electronics Recycling Event
UTV Safety Field Day

May

Envirofest
Spring Fishing Clinic
Trumpeter Swan Relocation Service Project with Iowa DNR

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 and the Forestry program at Iowa State University.

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

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	$28,600	$41,900	$48,500
Foresters	$36,300	$52,300	$60,400
Soil and Water Conservationists and Park Naturalists	$33,500	$55,200	$66,100

Source: 2018 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development

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

Admissions Requirements

Apply at Hawkeye

Complete Hawkeye's online admissions application to apply and be considered for the Natural Resources Management program.
Request to have your transcripts sent to the Admissions office.

Basic Skill Competencies

In order to be eligible for the Natural Resources Management program, all students must meet minimum score requirements and/or successfully complete the required college success courses in English, reading, and math with a "C" grade or higher at Hawkeye Community College or comparable courses at another accredited college. For appropriate college success course placement, work with your program advisor.

Minimum score requirements
ACT	ACCUPLACER	COMPASS	ACCUPLACER Next Generation
14 Reading	42 Reading	47 Reading	228 Reading
13 English	42 Sentence Skills	20 Writing	229 Writing
14 Math	40 Arithmetic	24 Pre-Algebra	240 Arithmetic
			241 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics

Program Acceptance

Applicants meeting the Basic Skill Competencies Requirements criteria are eligible for acceptance.

Applicants not meeting the Basic Skill Competencies Requirements 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