Natural resources management is about more than preserving wildlife. Instead, this degree also takes into account the social, political, and economic aspects of sustainability. All of these are interconnected and should be treated as such.
Students of natural resources management do, of course, study subjects like biology, ecology, geology, and the supporting disciplines of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. For a broader view of the real problems involved in natural resources management, the course also includes subjects like geography, economics, and social sciences.
The ultimate goal is to equip students to develop solutions for the use of natural resources that are ethical and supportable in terms of both biodiversity and human needs. Some specializations available in this regard include watershed management, environmental regulations and policy, restoration ecology, forestry, geographic information systems, and conservation biology.
Even though they are educated in several dimensions of natural resources management, there are few tasks that someone in this field can accomplish by themselves. Broad general knowledge and the ability to communicate with colleagues and other stakeholders are highly valued in this profession.
Natural resources management experts typically work alongside legal compliance officers, urban planners, lawyers, business managers, mineral extraction geologists, civil servants, and people in various other lines of work. Knowing a little bit about each will help to advance your career.