Natural Resources Aide Certificate Courses

This course provides an introduction into basic outdoor recreation techniques commonly utilized by naturalists and conservation professionals to help citizens gain an appreciation of their environment. Recreational techniques will include activities such as canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and backpacking.

Lab Hours: 32

This course provides an introduction into basic outdoor recreation certifications. The course will provide a way for students to learn about boating safety, first aid, and CPR and gain certification necessary for employment. The course will provide background in the principles of Leave No Trace which are essential for wilderness camping. Additionally, the course will provide an examination of the Fish Iowa curriculum for students to share with others as they progress in their careers.

Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of D- in RDG-038.

Equipment Operation and Safety focuses on the operation, maintenance, personal protective equipment, and safety of equipment used in the natural resources field. Labs include the use of equipment ranging from small engines to equipment used for prairie restoration, timber stand improvement, aquatic management, and park management.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

This course focuses on prescribed burns as a tool in ecosystem management. The use of fire to meet resource management objectives requires definitive and quantified knowledge of physical, biological, and ecological effects of fire on the ecosystem involved. Students will be trained in conducting prescribed burns and will participate as burn crew members.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): CNS-121

Environmental Conservation is a course that enables students to learn about their environment. Students study about natural ecosystems, interactions within ecosystems, ecological principles and their application, the impact our increasing population has on the environment, the importance and components of a sustainable agriculture, and the environmental issues facing today's world.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

This course provides an introduction to botany, landforms of Iowa, and native plant communities. Emphasis will be on the identification of native plants and differentiation from exotic weed species.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

This course will provide information to assist in the identification of common wildlife of Iowa. Wildlife will be identified not only by physical characteristics, but by many other characteristics. Vertebrates, insects, and macroinvertebrates will be covered. Major groups of vertebrates including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians will be studied.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32