What Degree is Required to Work in Wildlife Conservation?
Discover the different career options in wildlife conservation and what degrees are required for each.
A wildlife conservationist is an environmental management and conservation professional whose job is to protect wild animals and their habitats. Depending on the job they hold, they may do this through research or policy work.
There are many different types of jobs for wildlife conservationists, each with their own career paths and degree requirements. We'll break them all down below.
Types of Wildlife Conservation Careers and Required Degrees
Wildlife conservationists can protect wildlife in many ways. Each career requires a different set of skills, as well as different levels of degrees and different majors.
Most wildlife conservationists need a bachelor's degree at a minimum. If you know you want to go into wildlife conservation but aren't sure what career, you can choose a wildlife studies degree.
<h2 id="section---ConservationScientist">Conservation Scientist</h2><p>The title 'conservation scientist' is sometimes used interchangeably with 'wildlife conservationist.'
</p><p>They use science and research to observe animals in their natural habitat and determine how to best protect these animals and their ecosystems.
</p><p>Often, conservation scientists specialize in a particular field of wildlife. They may focus on a specific type of animal or ecosystem.
</p><p><b>Job duties include:</b>
</p><ul><li>monitoring and studying animals and habitats
</li><li>advocating for the preservation of wildlife
</li><li>developing conservation strategies
</li><li>educating the public on conservation
</li></ul><h3 id="section---DegreeRequirementsForConservationScientists">Degree Requirements for Conservation Scientists</h3><p>Conservation scientists usually hold at least a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Bachelor_Degree_FAQs.html">bachelor's degree</a>. Bachelor's degrees usually require 120 credits and take about four years to complete.
</p><p>There are several majors available for conservation scientists depending on your area of interest.
</p><p><b>These include:</b>
</p><ul><li>biology
</li><li>conservation biology
</li><li>environmental science
</li><li>natural resources
</li><li>wildlife biology
</li><li>zoology
</li></ul><p>Those who want to go into research-focused careers may need to earn a graduate-level degree.
</p><h2 id="section---Forester">Forester</h2><p><a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Forestry_and_Wildlife_Management_FAQs.html">Foresters</a> focus specifically on preserving the ecosystem of forest areas. Forests are an important part of nature and need to be protected.
</p><p><b>Job duties of a forester may include:</b>
</p><ul><li>creating plans for managing forests
</li><li>directing and assisting with forest fire suppression
</li><li>managing and overseeing forest-cleared lands and forest regrowth
</li><li>monitoring construction and forestry activities to ensure compliance with government regulations
</li><li>negotiating forestry contracts
</li><li>selecting and preparing sites for new trees
</li><li>working to improve land with as little environmental damage as possible
</li></ul><p>Foresters often work for the government, either in government forestry services or in federal, state, or local parks.
</p><p>However, foresters may also work as consultants or for lumbar companies and forestry firms.
</p><h3 id="section---DegreeRequirementsForForesters">Degree Requirements for Foresters</h3><p>Foresters typically need at least a bachelor's degree, although some entry-level positions may accept applicants with associate degrees.
</p><p><b>Foresters can major in subjects such as:</b>
</p><ul><li>ecosystem management
</li><li>environmental conservation
</li><li>forest biology
</li><li>forest resources
</li><li>forest science
</li><li>forestry
</li><li>natural resources
</li><li>urban forestry
</li></ul><p>The Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredits forestry education programs in the U.S. You can find a full list of accredited programs at eforester.org.
</p><h2 id="section---WildlifeBiologist">Wildlife Biologist</h2><p>Wildlife biologists are similar to conservation scientists, but their work focuses more closely on researching and monitoring specific animals, plants, or habitats.
</p><p><b>Job duties may include:</b>
</p><ul><li>collecting data and specimens in the wild
</li><li>consulting on developmental projects that may impact wildlife
</li><li>creating and launching research studies
</li><li>observing how wildlife interact with their habitat
</li><li>monitoring plants or animals
</li><li>publishing and sharing research
</li><li>studying the impact of humans on ecosystems
</li><li>testing specimens
</li></ul><p>Wildlife biologists are very similar to zoologists but often specialize in specific ecosystems or animal populations. For example, a wildlife biologist may specifically study at-risk species.
</p><h3 id="section---DegreeRequirementsForWildlifeBiologists">Degree Requirements for Wildlife Biologists</h3><p>Wildlife biologists can usually enter the field with a bachelor's degree, but will likely need a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Masters_Degree_FAQs.html">master's degree</a> or doctorate to advance.
</p><p><b>Wildlife biologists can major in subjects such as:</b>
</p><ul><li>biology
</li><li>ecology
</li><li>wildlife biology
</li><li>wildlife conservation
</li><li>wildlife management
</li><li>zoology
</li></ul><p>After earning a degree, wildlife biologists may want to consider becoming certified through the Wildlife Society. It offers different certification levels based on education and experience.
</p><h2 id="section---WildlifePolicyAnalystOrConservationLobbyist">Wildlife Policy Analyst or Conservation Lobbyist</h2><p>Wildlife policy analysts and conservation lobbyists work on the legal and political side of wildlife conservation.
</p><p>Wildlife policy analysts help construct new legislation and policies. They typically work for the government, nonprofit organizations, or conservation groups.
</p><p>Conservation lobbyists, meanwhile, work for individual organizations. Their job is to persuade politicians to vote a certain way based on their organization's cause.
</p><p>These types of roles may specialize in a specific environmental cause, such as global warming or hunting.
</p><h3 id="section---DegreeRequirementsForWildlifePolicyAnalystsAndConservationLobbyists">Degree Requirements for Wildlife Policy Analysts and Conservation Lobbyists</h3><p>Wildlife policy analysts and conservation lobbyists may choose slightly different educational routes depending on their profession, but there is often a lot of overlap.
</p><p><b>Wildlife policy analysts and conservation lobbyists may major in:</b>
</p><ul><li>environmental policy
</li><li>environmental studies
</li><li>law
</li><li>political science
</li></ul><p>Wildlife policy analysts and conservation lobbyists need at least a bachelor's degree, but many go on to earn master's and doctoral degrees in their chosen fields.
</p><h2 id="section---BecomeAWildlifeConservationist">Become a Wildlife Conservationist</h2><p>To become a wildlife conservationist, you will likely need a bachelor's degree in wildlife conservation or a related field, but it depends on your specific <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Career_Planning_FAQs.html">career path</a>.</p>