About Natural Resources
Demand for skilled natural resources professionals is growing, and Green River College’s Natural Resources programs are designed to meet that need. Our hands-on training prepares students for immediate employment in the field. All students begin with a strong foundation in forestry, then have the chance to specialize in areas like water quality, wildfire, park management, or geographic information systems (GIS). Whether you're passionate about protecting the environment or managing outdoor spaces, our affordable, applied programs are among the best in the Northwest.
Our department offers five Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees and a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Forest Resource Management. All students in the associate track earn a Forestry AAS, with the option to add more classes and earn additional AAS degrees in Wildland Fire, Water Quality, Park Management, or GIS. Graduates can move directly into the workforce or continue to the BAS program. Students who plan to transfer to a four-year school should consider the Natural Resources, AAS-T track. Make your dream of an outdoor career a reality—contact us today to get started!
Scroll down to explore sample pathways, full degree details, and career outlook information.
Are you looking for the old web page? Visit the previous [Program] web page.
Contact Us
Jessyka Williams
Natural Resources Program Manager
253-931-6925
Program Quicklinks
Have Questions About Registration?
Bachelor Degree Options
Forest Resource Management, BAS Forestry Operations Track
Foresters work diligently to preserve, protect, and sustainably manage forested areas.
They are responsible for conducting surveys and assessments to evaluate the health
and composition of forests, identifying potential risks or issues such as disease
outbreaks or invasive species.
Length of Program: 186 Credits
Average Salary: $91,528
Location: Main campus
Forest Resource Management, BAS Sampling and Assessment Track
Forests are vital to the health of the planet, providing clean air and water, and
habitats for wildlife. Foresters can help protect forests for future generations by
working to maintain healthy ecosystems, mitigate climate change, and promote sustainable
timber production.
Location: Main campus
Natural Resources-Forestry, AAS
This degree program prepares graduates to work in a variety of outdoor careers. The
growing awareness of water quality, wetland protection, reforestation, and environmentally
sensitive timber harvest requires the services of technicians with a broad knowledge
base.
Length of Program: 111 Credits
Average Salary: $60,865
Location: Main campus
Natural Resources-Park Management, AAS
This degree program prepares graduates to work in state, private, county, municipal,
and federal parks as assistant park rangers and in associated positions. Park management
includes interpreting plant and animal ecology to the general public.
Length of Program: 121-123 Credits
Average Salary: $71,985
Location: Main campus
Natural Resources-Geographic Information Systems, AAS
The Geographic Information Systems degree option prepares graduates to work outside
collecting data using field equipment and field applications such as Global Positioning
Systems (GPS), Avenza, and ESRI’s field tools.
Length of Program: 119 Credits
Average Salary: $73,727
Location: Main campus
Natural Resources-Water Quality, AAS
This degree program prepares graduates to work in a variety of outdoor careers. Graduates
monitor stream, lake, and wetland systems for water quality and functions of physical,
biological, and chemical parameters.
Length of Program: 131-133 Credits
Average Salary: $98,617
Location: Main campus
Natural Resources-Wildland Fire, AAS
This degree program prepares graduates to perform fire prevention and educational
activities. They serve as crew members or leaders of aerial, engine, or ground wildland
fire crews.
Length of Program: 116 Credits
Average Salary: $74,134
Location: Main campus
Natural Resources, AAS-T (Transfer)
This degree prepares students to transfer to a college or university program as juniors
in several Natural Resources areas. By developing academic skills in mathematics,
science, English, humanities, and natural resource courses, the student can transfer
directly into a professional program such as natural resources management, forest
engineering, or wildlife biology.
Location: Main campus
Career Outlook
A degree in Natural Resources can lead to an exciting outdoor career. If you care about nature, forests, water, and wildlife, this is a great path for you.
Many people in this field are retiring, and new jobs are opening up across the country. Companies and government agencies are looking for trained workers to help protect and manage the environment.
With this degree, you can work as a:
- Forestry technician
- Park ranger
- Wildland firefighter
- Water quality technician
- GIS (mapping) technician
- Natural resource specialist
You can work for state and national parks, the U.S. Forest Service, fish and wildlife agencies, and private companies.
These jobs offer:
- Full-time work
- Time outdoors
- A chance to make a difference
- Opportunities to grow your career