Environmental Conservation and Sustainability (Minor)

Environmental Conservation and Sustainability (Minor)
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What is environmental conservation and sustainability?

Environmental conservation and sustainability is centered around a vision of a future where people live with respect for the Earth’s natural systems and each other. You’ll learn the impacts of technology and human activity on the environment, study the principles of sustainability, and gain an understanding of the complex relationships between human societies and the environment. You’ll be able to focus on topics such as ecology, social science and management, and conservation and sustainability. The minor is a compliment to majors in a wide range of subjects, including agriculture, business, natural resources and zoology.

Why study environmental conservation and sustainability at UNH?

Our graduates are environmental citizens, sustainability advocates and leaders for constructive change. We equip students not just with knowledge, but with the skills to solve real-world problems and work collaboratively with diverse interest groups to facilitate policy and action toward a sustainable future. Many students pursue international experiences, such as UNH’s EcoQuest program in New Zealand, or research opportunities with our faculty or through undergraduate research opportunity programs.

Potential career areas

  • Advocacy and regulatory affairs
  • Agriculture
  • Biology
  • Business consultation
  • Conservation management
  • Environmental education and outreach
  • Land-use analysis
  • Natural resources management
  • Zoologist
Contact

Associate Professor
Phone: (603) 862-0229
Office: UNH Natural Resources & the Environment, James Hall, Durham, NH 03824
  • UNH student Makayla Edgecomb '23
    An Undeclared Student Finds the Perfect Fit
    Makayla Edgecomb is a community and environmental planning major with minors in environmental conservation and sustainability and business administration. In 2021, Makayla won the merit-based Granite State Development Corporation scholarship, which covered her tuition, room and board costs for her sophomore, junior and senior years at UNH.
    Learn More
  • EcoQuest
    Hands-on environmental studies for U.S. students
    Ecology, sustainability, and environmental science were the focus of a special visit by EcoQuest’s international students to the Ramsar wetland at Pūkorokoro Miranda on 28 October 2022.
    Learn More
  • UNH student Tory Wyman '21
    Changemaker in Training
    Tori Wyman ’21 is a Business Administration major and Environmental Conservation and Sustainability minor. She recently completed her second summer internship through UNH's Social Innovation Internship program. 
    Learn More
  • UNH social innovation interns show off their changemaker t-shirts
    UNH Changemakers Apply Their Skills in the Field
    Twenty-five students who were selected to participate in the 9th annual social innovation internship presented a summary of their accomplishments to an audience in Hamilton Smith Hall on July 24.
    Learn More
  • COLSA students present at the Social Innovation Internship Showcase
    Students Devote Summer to Social Innovation
    Each spring the UNH Center for Social Innovation and Enterprise selects a handful of motivated, high-achieving, impact-focused student leaders for the Social Innovation Internship program. The 9-week Social Innovation Internship connects students to leading for-profit and nonprofit organizations for a rigorous and meaningful…
    Learn More

Curriculum & Requirements

The minor in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability allows students from diverse majors across all UNH colleges to incorporate the theory and practice of sustainable resource use  into their 4-year baccalaureate studies.  Students take required introductory courses in both conservation and sustainability and then can fill out their minor with choices from ecology, social science and management, and a range of advanced topics.  As well, students who participate in the EcoQuest Study Abroad Program can apply their courses to the minor.

20 credits total required

  • A grade of C or better in each of the 5 courses.
  • No more than 8 credits used to satisfy major requirements may be used for the minor
  • Credit/fail courses may not be used for the minor.  
Required Courses
NR 435Contemporary Conservation Issues and Environmental Awareness4
NR 437Principles of Sustainability4
Ecology Course
Select one from the following:4
BIOL 541W
Ecology
NR 433
Wildlife Ecology
NR #502
Forest Ecosystems and Environmental Change
NR 527
Forest Ecology
NR 660
Ecology and Biogeography of New Zealand
SAFS 502
Agroecology
Social Science and Management Course
Select one from the following:4
NR 507
Introduction to our Energy System and Sustainable Energy
NR 602
Natural Resources and Environmental Policy
NR 662
Environmental Policy, Planning and Sustainability in New Zealand
NR 786
Leadership for Sustainability
EREC 606
Land Economics Perspectives: Uses, Policies, and Taxes
EREC 627
Community Economics
Advanced Topics in Conservation and Sustainability Course
Select one from the following:4
NR #603
Landscape Ecology
NR #606
International Energy Topics
NR 650
Principles of Conservation Biology
NR 661
Restoration Ecology and Ecosystem Management in New Zealand
NR 720
International Environmental Politics and Policies for the 21st Century
NR 724
Resolving Environmental Conflicts
NR 784
Sustainable Living - Global Perspectives
NR 785
Systems Thinking for Sustainable Solutions
NR 787
Advanced Topics in Sustainable Energy
NR 795
Investigations 1
EREC 708
Environmental Economics
MARI 705
Introduction to Marine Policy: Understanding US Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Policy
MEFB 702
Sustainable Marine Fisheries
TOUR 767
Social Impact Assessment
Total Credits20
1

NR 795 Investigations requires working with an individual ECS faculty member on a special problem/issue.

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