Department of Forest Resources

Students with a passion for protecting the environment will feel right at home in the Conservation Law Enforcement track. Studies provide a sturdy foundation of knowledge in wildlife ecology and management while enhancing written and oral communication skills through advanced courses in communication and public administration. Experiential learning plays an important role in the Conservation Law Enforcement track including a heavy focus on lab activities and field trips. 

A minimum grade of C is required in all classes in this track. Students must meet additional requirements after graduation to become a certified law enforcement officer in Georgia. Visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website to learn all required steps. 

Learn more about the Conservation Law Enforcement Track 

The Wildlife Track of Natural Resource Management prepares students for careers in the conservation and management of wildlife resources in the Southeast. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of resource management and the various factors at play when it comes to protecting and maintaining our nation’s wildlife populations. Graduates of the Wildlife program go on to work in a variety of careers with focuses on wildlife well-being from government research to conservation research and implementation. 

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The Forestry track is designed to educate and prepare students for success in the management of forest resources and forest-based businesses. The ABAC campus provides the perfect backdrop for hands-on learning thanks to our sprawling woods and opportunities to learn outdoors. Graduates of the Forestry degree go on to work in parks and recreation management, resource protection and management, and a variety of other careers that enjoy outdoor offices and time in the woods. 

The Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management (Forestry track) is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). SAF is the national organization responsible for accreditation of post-secondary degree-awarding programs in forestry in the U.S. 

Learn more about the Forestry Track  

The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance sustainable management of forest resources through science, education, and technology; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and to use our knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic to ensure the continued health, integrity, and use of forests to benefit society in perpetuity.

The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance sustainable management of forest resources through science, education, and technology; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and to use our knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic to ensure the continued health, integrity, and use of forests to benefit society in perpetuity.

Goal 1:

Maintain a forestry degree program recognized by employers as being of the highest quality.

• Objective 1a – Students graduating from the program will be targeted and recruited by employers within the profession.

• Objective 1b – Students graduated from the program will be recognized by employers within the profession as knowledgeable, ethically principled, and prepared for work.

Goal 2:

Maximize student engagement activities in and out of the classroom through mentored research, internships, and study abroad programs.

• Objective 2 – Students will participate in engagement activities related to the degree program that extend beyond the classroom.

Goal 3:

Sustain acceptable levels of annual enrollment and degree completions and contribute to the college’s growth in total enrollment and degrees conferred.

• Objective 3a – Program faculty will actively work to recruit new students to the program.

• Objective 3b – Program faculty will actively work to retain current students in the program by engaging and supporting them within their coursework and outside engagement activities.

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the ecologic and economic principles of forest resource management. 

• Demonstrate the essential skills and knowledge of forest measurements, spatial orientation, data analysis, and computational expertise for characterizing the forest resource. 

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of financial and business applications and management skills related to the forest industry.  

• Demonstrate well-developed oral and written communication skills enabling them to effectively disseminate information within their profession and to the general public. 

• Demonstrate an understanding of human dimensions as it relates to forest resource management, including the diverse needs and perspectives of various stakeholders. 

• Demonstrate the ability to collect, synthesize, and analyze data to develop sound forest management plans that address a stakeholder’s objectives.