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I'm interested in Environmental Conservation. What science classes should I take?
I am a junior in high school and plan on going to college to get a degree. I already plan on taking environmental science in highschool but am unsure if any other high school classes would be helpful. I am also unsure what classes to take in college.
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Anil’s Answer
I think environmental conservation can be a fascinating field and one that offers you a wide variety of options as far as what to study. I think having a good grounding in science is important. So some areas of study you should think about include geology, meteorology, or oceanography. Animal biology could be important as well as understanding what resources various animals need to survive would be an important part of any environmental conservation issue. Forestry is another field that is of great relevance to environmental conservation. The University of New Hampshire and other northern New England state universities would have good programs in this area. You should think about what aspects of environmental conservation appeal to you - is it helping animals, is it helping preserve natural resources, or something else? The answer to that question may help guide you toward the specific field of study that you would most enjoy. Beside the science behind environmental conservation, you may also need to learn about how scientific theories get turned into public policy. So classes in law or political science could also be relevant if you want to better understand how knowledge about environmental conservation gets turned into real world policies.
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Laura’s Answer
As others have mentioned, it really depends on what specific type of job you'd like in the conservation field. If you want to be a "boots on the ground" conservationist, you'll need the physical sciences like Ecology, Biology, or Chemistry. If you'd like to be on the planning/policy side, you might consider Natural Resource management, Environmental Policy, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS). A combination of these would ensure you have a well-rounded resume. I personally went the GIS route which is a great option if you're also interested in developing tech and spatial analysis skills which can be transferable to other roles and industries.
Another important aspect to conservation work is building good communication skills. Successful conservation requires being able to collaborate with groups that are often at odds (corporations or governments and local communities) - sitting in on community meetings around environmental issues would get you some good exposure to that process.
The Nature Conservancy, The Association of State Floodplain Managers, and National Estuarine Research Reserves would be great organizations to track both paid and unpaid internship opps since they have branches in every state in the U.S. Hope that helps and thank you for the rewarding work you are embarking on - it sounds like you're moving in the right direction!
Another important aspect to conservation work is building good communication skills. Successful conservation requires being able to collaborate with groups that are often at odds (corporations or governments and local communities) - sitting in on community meetings around environmental issues would get you some good exposure to that process.
The Nature Conservancy, The Association of State Floodplain Managers, and National Estuarine Research Reserves would be great organizations to track both paid and unpaid internship opps since they have branches in every state in the U.S. Hope that helps and thank you for the rewarding work you are embarking on - it sounds like you're moving in the right direction!
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Vianne’s Answer
Environmental conservation is an awesome field, and you're on the right track by studying environmental science. In high school, it's helpful to take classes like biology, chemistry, and if possible, advanced environmental science. Biology teaches you about ecosystems, wildlife, and biodiversity, which are key in conservation. Chemistry is important too, as it relates to water quality, pollution, soil health, and climate science. If your school offers earth science, geology, or physics, those are great for learning about climate systems, landforms, and energy.
If you can choose electives, consider taking statistics, AP Calculus, or computer science. Courses related to GIS are also beneficial. Many conservation jobs today involve data analysis, mapping, and research, so having math and tech skills will be really useful. Outside of class, joining environmental clubs, volunteering at local parks, or working with conservation groups can help you discover what you like most in conservation.
In college, you might consider majors like Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Ecology, Biology, or Natural Resource Management. In your first year or two, you'll still cover core sciences like biology, chemistry, and sometimes physics, along with statistics. As you progress, you'll take more focused classes in areas like ecology, conservation biology, climate science, policy, and fieldwork. It's important to balance your studies with real-world experience through internships or fieldwork, as conservation work is very hands-on.
If you can choose electives, consider taking statistics, AP Calculus, or computer science. Courses related to GIS are also beneficial. Many conservation jobs today involve data analysis, mapping, and research, so having math and tech skills will be really useful. Outside of class, joining environmental clubs, volunteering at local parks, or working with conservation groups can help you discover what you like most in conservation.
In college, you might consider majors like Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Ecology, Biology, or Natural Resource Management. In your first year or two, you'll still cover core sciences like biology, chemistry, and sometimes physics, along with statistics. As you progress, you'll take more focused classes in areas like ecology, conservation biology, climate science, policy, and fieldwork. It's important to balance your studies with real-world experience through internships or fieldwork, as conservation work is very hands-on.