No ceiling but the sky.
The SUNY Morrisville natural resources conservation Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program turns your favorite place — the outdoors — into your classroom.
Why SUNY Morrisville Natural Resources Conservation?
Our A.A.S. program provides fundamental training in aquatic life, biology, forestry, soil science, surveying, ecology, fish and wildlife, outdoor recreation, tree care and related subjects. Students receive a broad-based education with an emphasis on practical, hands-on experience.
And with more than 1,000 acres of land at your disposal — in addition to the entire SUNY Morrisville campus and thousands of acres of state lands — there is no end to your outdoor learning opportunities.
Students can opt into a concentration in forest technology or arboriculture and urban forestry.
Accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF), the forest technology concentration adds emphasis on forest management and offers coursework in silviculture and forest health, as well as a forestry-related internship.
With the arboriculture and urban forestry concentration, students gain hands-on tree care and climbing experience to prepare for this in-demand industry.
Enhance your college experience through related clubs including the Outdoor Recreation Club (ORC), where you can engage in a variety of fun and adventurous outdoor recreational activities. The Conservation Tri-Society provides ongoing education and networking opportunities with national organizations such as the SAF, American Fisheries Society (AFS) and The Wildlife Society (TWS), creating a venue for your professional development.
Students can also join our nationally recognized Woods Sports Team, where you can learn traditional woods skills while competing against other colleges throughout New York, as well as regionally and nationally.
Upon graduation, you will be field trained and job ready. But if you choose to further your education, you will also be prepared to transfer successfully to a bachelor’s degree program, including our environmental & natural resources management Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech.).
Skills You Will Gain
Upon completion of the A.A.S. program, you will be able to:
- Describe the state of the natural resources profession and potential career opportunities
- Conduct yourself in a manner consistent with an embodied sense of conservation stewardship
- Deal professionally and ethically with clients, the public and agency personnel
- Utilize oral and computer communication skills necessary to interact in the profession
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and competency in taxonomy and natural history
- Demonstrate hands-on experience in natural resource sampling, inventory and measurement techniques
- Demonstrate competency in using geospatial technologies including Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in natural resource conservation
- Utilize existing technology, products and services to maximize work efficiency and success
- Practice a collaborative spirit in team efforts and project coordination
What Can I Do in Natural Resources Conservation?
Depending on your interest and concentration, as an A.A.S. program graduate you are prepared to work in a variety of fields including:
- Parks
- Forestry
- Arboriculture
- Fisheries
- Wildlife management
- Soil conservation service
- Conservation officer
- Forestry technician
- Forest ranger
- Environmental consultant
- Water/wastewater treatment plant operator
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Facilities
Accreditation Information
The Society of American Foresters (SAF)
The Natural Resources Conservation program established in 1968 was previously recognized by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) as a curriculum leading to an A.A.S. degree in forest technology at least until the 1980s. After the 1980s until the late 2000s Morrisville decided not to maintain recognition with the SAF.
Morrisville formally requested recognition review by the SAF in March of 2007. Around the same time, the SAF eliminated their recognition program and instituted an accreditation program beginning in 2009 for forest technology programs. Morrisville’s Forest Technology Concentration within the Natural Resources Conservation A.A.S. program was then accredited in 2012. Only the Forest Technology Concentration within the Natural Resources Conservation program leading to an A.A.S. is accredited by the SAF.
Career Opportunities
Current graduates of the forest technology program often continue on to pursue a baccalaureate degree within the Renewable Resources Technology B. Tech. program at Morrisville or enter the workforce within the broad forest and environmental arena after receiving their A.A.S.
The combination of receiving the Forest Technology Concentration within the Natural Resources Conservation A.A.S. along with obtaining the B.Tech. degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Management is a powerful combination for graduates entering the job market.
Refer to the Related Resources section for a summary of employment prospects in areas relevant to the offered A.A.S. in Natural Resources Conservation (including the Forest Technology Concentration) and the B. Tech. degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Management at SUNY Morrisville.
Graduate Information
Since receiving accreditation, 79% of all forest technology concentration graduates have continued to a baccalaureate program. Of those continuing on to a baccalaureate program, 89% have continued to the Environmental and Natural Resources Management B. Tech. at Morrisville.
Those that continued to the Environmental and Natural Resource Management. B. Tech. at Morrisville, 62% have graduated and 38% are still enrolled. The Environmental and Natural Resource Management B. Tech graduates with the Forest Technology Concentration within the Natural Resources Conservation leading to an A.A.S. have found much success; 40% directly entered the forestry workforce, 40% have found employment in the environmental education and natural resources recreation industry, and 20% have entered an allied field such as aquaculture.
Of those not continuing on to a baccalaureate program, one-third have been confirmed entering the forestry workforce, one-third are assumed to be in the broader natural resources workforce, and one-third are in unknown employment.
