Environmental Conservation

Program Overview

The Environmental Conservation (ENVC) program is designed to meet the growing need for environmental and natural resource technicians within the natural resources and parkland areas. The program offers four areas of emphasis.

The effects from landscape uses such as forestry, agriculture, and urban development are the main focus of the Aquatic/Terrestrial emphasis. Students choosing the Marine emphasis will focus on jobs in the marine environment. Graduates in both areas may be employed by federal, state, county, and city governments, tribal nations or private businesses managing natural resources. Employment by non-governmental organizations is also on the rise.

The Parks Resources Management emphasis is designed to meet the needs of students seeking employment with federal, state, county, city, or private recreational agencies. The Water/Wastewater Treatment Technology emphasis is intended to meet the growing employment needs within water technology fields. Students may need to conduct a job search beyond the local community in order to find the positions they desire in these two areas.

Degree and Certificate Options:

Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree

An Associate in Applied Science Degree, AAS is awarded upon completion of the Parks Resource Management emphasis and the Water/Wastewater Treatment Technology emphasis with a minimum of 90 credits of specified technical and related education coursework above 100-level with a minimum 2.0 grade in each course including the general education courses required for the AAS Degree.

Environmental Conservation Parks Resources Management, AAS, Planning Guide

Environmental Conservation Water or Wastewater Treatment Technology, AAS, Planning Guide

Associate in Applied Science Transfer (AAS-T) Degree

An Associate in Applied Science-Transfer Degree, AAS-T degree is awarded upon completion of the Aquatic-Terrestrial Emphasis, Marine Emphasis, or UW/UI-Transfer degrees with a minimum of 90 credits of specified technical and related education coursework above 100-level with both an overall 2.0 grade point average and a 2.0 grade point average in the technical degree courses. Entry into a baccalaureate program at a four-year school will generally require a higher GPA for admission.

Graduates may use their AAS-T degrees as a transfer degree to the Skagit Valley College Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Environmental Conservation (BASEC) which builds on the existing AAS-T degrees in Environmental Conservation at Skagit Valley College or other comparable AAS-T degrees in natural resources.

In addition, graduates may use the Environmental Conservation (University of Washington & University of Idaho), AAS-T to transfer to the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington and the College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho. The AAS-T and AAS degrees may also be used to transfer to The Evergreen State College, Western Washington University-Fairhaven College, or Central Washington University-Information Technology and Administrative Management. Students who plan to transfer should first work with the Department Chair to develop a two-year schedule of appropriate classes.

Environmental Conservation Marine, Associate in Applied Science-Transfer, Planning Guide

Environmental Conservation Aquatic or Terrestrial, AAS-T, Planning Guide

Environmental Conservation, Associate in Applied Science-Transfer, Planning Guide

Certificates:

These certificates focus on a specific skill within this program. A certificate is awarded to students who complete requirements with a 2.0 grade point average or above.

Program Map - Environmental Conservation Studies Certificate

Program Map - Environmental Conservation: Water/Wastewater Treatment Technician Certificate

Program Map - Geographic Information Systems Certificate

Micro-Certificates:

Program Map - Advanced Wetland Delineation Micro-Certificate

Program Map - Basic Wetland Delineation Micro-Certificate

Learning Outcomes:

General Education Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Environmental Conservation AAS-T and AAS degrees will be able to:

Conduct water quality (WQ) analyses and reporting according to accreditation standards by Washington Department of Ecology.
Outline an ecological sampling design.
Use ecological processes in an ecosystem context; flow diagrams.

Program Admissions:

Please apply at ••Enrollment Services . Students are generally admitted fall or winter quarters. It is highly recommended that students have completed their pre-college coursework before entry. However, students with relevant work experience or equivalent coursework may be admitted at other times with the Department Chair’s permission. Advanced standing may be requested. For further information, contact the Department Chair or Enrollment Services.

Specialized Program Information:

Work-Based Learning

Students will integrate their classroom learning with work-based learning experience by participating in Cooperative Education (ENVC 199 ) at a supervised work site in an approved paid or volunteer position in an environmental business, state, federal or county administration or non-governmental organization working with environmental issues. Students who desire a degree and are already employed in the field may develop cooperative work positions with their current employer. A total of six credits are required. Department Chair approval is required. Credits and grades are based on job hours worked, work performance and completion of learning objectives. Concurrent enrollment in Cooperative Education Seminar required. ENVC 199 may substitute for up to five credits of technical coursework with the permission of the Department Chair.