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Fisheries and Wildlife Management

Overview

About This Program

The population, survival, and health of today’s fisheries and wildlife is a large aspect of the natural resource field and study. The Fisheries and Wildlife Management program is designed to give you a combination of field work, lab skills, and general education designed to facilitate transferring to a variety of bachelor degree options. A combination of the Fisheries and Wildlife Management AS and the Wildlife Ecology certificate are accredited by the North American Wildlife Technology Association (NAWTA).

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Not ready to apply? Request Information or call admissions at 888-223-8068

At-a-Glance

Degrees & Credits

A.S. Degree (60 credits)

Campus
Vermilion

Program Features

Schedule

Being next door to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and having federal, state, and local agencies all in our neighborhood, you will have endless opportunities during your educational journey:

August – September: Predator Scent Post Survey, Small Mammal Trapping
October: Waterfowl Bag Limit Survey, Radio Telemetry – wolf/deer
November: Fuels Reduction Work, Habitat Improvement Projects
December: International Wolf Center, Wildland Fire Training
January: Midwinter Waterfowl Survey
February-March: Northern Owl Survey
April-May: Ruffed Grouse Survey, Wildlife Chemical Immobilization, Fish Hatchery Visits

students cutting down tree
Careers

While the Fisheries and Wildlife Management A.S. degree is designed around transferring for additional education, careers exist after both the associate degree and bachelor degree level. Associates Degree careers include: Wildlife Technician/Biological Science Technician, Animal Caretaker/Animal Science, Plant & Animal Work, Range Technician, Life Science Technician, Physical Science Technician, and Social Science Technician. Bachelor Degree Careers include: Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Refuge Management, Habitat Specialist, Fisheries Analyst/Fisheries Manager, Wildlife Ecologist, Range Land, and Manager/Wildlife Manager.

Meet the Faculty

Ryan Miller

Natural Resources Faculty

218-235-2180

Rita Koch

Natural Resources Faculty

218-235-2160

Molly Roske

Natural Resources Technology Faculty

218-235-2134

Meet Our Alumni

Anna Keenan

Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology

Minnesota North - Vermilion

Education and Experience

I have a B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Research Management, Biology Minor from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I also have four years of professional wildlife biology experience with both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service

Current Employer

U.S. Forest Service, Hiawatha National Forest

Position

Biological Science Technician (Wildlife). My duties include conducting field surveys of various wildlife species, collecting and managing data, writing field survey summary reports, and technical science writing. I also perform habitat assessments and contribute to management and policy decisions.

Favorite Vermilion Memory

Assisting DNR Biologists with visiting a black bear den and having the opportunity to work with professionals in the field.

Holly Petry

Fisheries and Wildlife Management

Minnesota North - Vermilion

Education and Experience

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry Management from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, I interned for the Minnesota DNR as a Forestry Intern in the summer of 2016, and also with the Douglas County Forestry Department in the summer of 2017.

Current Employer

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Position

I am a Forest Ranger. I am in charge of fire operations and timer sales establishment on state and county forests. I work with loggers and other foresters to help maintain the health of the forests.

Favorite Vermilion Memory

Vermilion was a college where everybody knew everybody and it was great because we went to bonfires together, hunted together and went to sporting events together. I always had the best time star gazing down the Cloquet Line road with my roommates. It was truly a life-changing place and I miss it every day.

Additional Information

Transferability

Designed to transfer, the Fisheries and Wildlife Management program includes all of the general education credits required during a bachelor’s degree. Also, specific transfer agreements have been set up with the following universities:

  • University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
  • Michigan Technological University
  • University of Minnesota – Crookston