Associate Degree in Natural Resources-Wildland Fire
Green River College
Key Information
Campus location
Auburn, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
112 hours
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 10,830 / per year *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* Living Expenses $8865, Fees $603, Books $702, Total $21000
Scholarships
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Introduction
Green River Natural Resources degree options will prepare you for immediate employment in forestry, water quality, wildfire, and park management as applied to natural resources. You may also further your education at universities with natural resources programs.
Natural Resources technicians work outdoors on private, state, and federal forestlands. They gather information, direct and inspect the work of others and explain land management activities to the public. They assist professional foresters, biologists, and recreation managers. They utilize current technologies including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), laser measuring instruments, and current software in various applications.
Some of the technicians' tasks include:
- Forestry: Reforest areas; estimate the volume and value of standing timber; mark timber for cutting; map boundaries of proposed timber sales; interpret aerial photos; use a compass and tape; record neat, well-organized field notes; inspect planting performance by contractors; collect field measurements of species and stocking of reforested areas; and check compliance of thinning, pruning and reforestation contractors
- Water Quality: Monitor stream and lake systems for water quality and functions; identify plants and animals; streams and wetlands delineation; mapping locations of flora, fauna, and water features; apply environmental regulations regarding stream and wetland protection; perform stream and wetland typing
- Wildland Fire: Complete tasks specific to an engine, aerial, or ground crew member; work as a team to protect people, property, and wildlands; implement preventative and reactive fire suppression techniques; conduct prescribed burns; follow the structure of the Incident Management System (IMS)
- Park Management: Construct and maintain trails and campgrounds; perform ground maintenance tasks; register visitors and collect fees; explain and enforce park rules; interpret plant and animal ecology for the general public
Overview
This degree program prepares graduates to perform fire prevention and educational activities. They serve as crew members or leaders of the aerial, engine, or ground wildland fire crews.
Great Opportunities
Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Applied Science, and beyond!
When you earn your Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in our program, you can qualify to join our four-year Forest Resource Management, Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) program, transfer to another institution, or begin working in the industry! Meet with your adviser to be sure you have the correct course plan.
Completing the Green River’s Forest Resource Management, B.A.S. will open opportunities for immediate employment in management positions in the natural resources field or continue your education with a graduate degree!
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Requirements
General Education Classes
- CMST& 220 - Public Speaking Credits: 5
- ENGL& 101 - English Composition I Credits: 5
- ENGL 128 - Research Writing: Science/Engineering/Business Credits: 5
Natural Resources Classes
First Year
- NATRS 100 - Introduction to Natural Resources Credits: 5
- NATRS 114 - Chainsaw Operation and Maintenance Credits: 2
- NATRS 130 - Wildland Firefighter Training L-180 and S-130/190 Credits: 4
- NATRS 131 - Advanced Wildland Firefighter Training S-131, IC Credits: 6
- NATRS 172 - Computer Applications Overview Credits: 4
- NATRS 180 - Natural Resources Measurement Credits: 6
- NATRS 182 - Aerial Photos, GIS and Forest Navigation Credits: 8
- NATRS 183 - Tree and Shrub Identification Credits: 4
- NATRS 184 - Wildflower Identification Credits: 5
- NATRS 270 - Stream and Wetland Ecology Credits: 5
- NATRS 192 - GIS for Natural Resources Credits: 5
- NATRS 290 - Internship Seminar Credits: 1
Second Year
- NATRS 161 - Wildlife Habitat Management Credits: 4
- NATRS 284 - Road and Trail Engineering Credits: 7
- NATRS 286 - Natural Resources Business Principles Credits: 5
- NATRS 292 - Resource Sampling and Appraisal of Forest Condit Credits: 8
- NATRS 293 - Silvicultural Analysis and Forest Protection Credits: 4
Capstone
Complete capstone courses in the summer quarter.
- NATRS 277 - Natural Resources Internship 1 Credits: 4
- NATRS 278 - Natural Resources Internship 2 Credits: 4
- NATRS 279 - Natural Resources Internship 3 Credits: 3
- NATRS 280 - Natural Resources Internship 4 Credits: 3
To enhance the student’s preparation for future employment, the following are recommended:
- AVIA 123 - Aviation Weather Credits: 5
- ENGR 106 - Introduction to Engineering Problems Credits: 3
- GEOL 117 - Natural Disasters with Lab Credits: 5
- HL ED 190 - Standard First Aid/CPR Credits: 3
- NATRS 198 - Independent Study-Natural Resources 1 Credits: 1-5
- NATRS 199 - Independent Study-Natural Resources 2 Credits: 1-5
- NATRS 205 - Wildland Recreation Credits: 4
- NATRS 262 - GIS Tools in the Field Credits: 6
- NATRS 263 - Cartography Credits: 5
- NATRS 297 - Independent Study-Natural Resources 4 Credits: 1-5
- NATRS 298 - Independent Study-Natural Resources 5 Credits: 1-5
- NATRS 299 - Independent Study-Natural Resources 6 Credits: 1-5
Related Instruction Requirements
Satisfies related instruction requirements.
- Written Communication: ENGL& 101
- Oral Communication: CMST& 220
- Computation: NATRS 180
- Human Relations: NATRS 286
Program Outcome
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate the knowledge of ecosystem management techniques to develop forest management objectives related to fire ecology and restoration, riparian and wildlife management including harvest and silvicultural prescriptions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of biological, abiotic, and cultural ecosystems as they apply to natural resource management in today’s society.
- Utilize the latest technology in forest navigation, mapping, planning, and implementation of forest management practices.
- Demonstrate skills to accurately collect, analyze and present a variety of natural resources data collected using the latest field techniques for useful outputs.
- Demonstrate good verbal and written communications to disseminate information effectively to a variety of audiences.
- Utilize knowledge of Fire Behavior, Fireline Leadership, and the concepts of Lookouts, Communication, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) to assess risk, plan, and conduct appropriate actions in incident response and self-management.
- Demonstrate basic fire suppression tactics in the field, awareness of structure protection in the Urban Interface, and the safe use of hand tools, hose lays, pumps, and other fire suppression equipment.
- Understand and explain the function of the Incident Command System, identify the various positions, explain their functions, and how they interact with each other.
Career Opportunities
Employment Outlook
Occupations: Natural Resources Technician, Forest Technician, Resource Manager, Wildlife Technician
Earnings: $13.89 to $16.39 an hour
Explore
Natural Resource Graduates take many paths
- Biological technician
- Contract supervisor in natural resources
- Forest fire crew supervisor
- Forest inventory technician
- Forest engineering assistant
- Natural resource field crew supervisor
- GIS technician
- Independent forest contractor
- Log scaler
- State park ranger’s assistant
- Surveying technician
- Trail maintenance supervisor
- Tree planting inspector