The profession of forestry is the science, the art, and the practice of managing and using for human benefit the natural resources that occur on and in association with forest lands. Benefits are derived from the multiple resources of the forest – wood, water, wildlife, recreation, forage, and environmental amenities. Foresters are managers of these resources. Thus, our principal instructional objective is to provide the broad education needed to deal effectively with the complex of forest resources.
The wildland recreation concentration is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to work in natural resource based recreation settings on private and public lands, including local, state, and national parks, and other state and federal agencies, and private or non-profit organizations providing outdoor recreational opportunities.
Students prepare for professional positions in the planning, development, interpretation, and management of private and public lands for recreational purposes. Students also learn the basic philosophy and principles associated with the use of leisure time and the relationship of natural resources to the constructive use of leisure time.
Elective credits may be used to obtain specializations in complementary areas such as education, cultural and natural history interpretation, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, communication and public relations, agricultural extension education, ornamental horticulture and landscape design, business and public administration; and the natural sciences, including ecology and geology, as well as recreation and leisure studies.
Ten weeks of professional internship experience (6 credits) are required during the final 45 hours of credit in the program. The internship is a highly structured field experience guided by specific learning objectives pre-approved by the instructor and the field supervisor. The student receives one credit per two weeks of full-time field experience. Preparations for the internship should be made well in advance of actual placement. Summer employment or volunteer work in a related field prior to the internship is highly encouraged.
To remain in the Wildland Recreation concentration, students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA and earn no less than a C grade in FWF 212 . If a student does not meet the aforementioned criteria, the student will be removed from the Wildland Recreation concentration, and the student must meet with their advisor to identify an alternative major.