You strolled through a small-scale prairie while at the Iowa State exhibit at the Farm Progress Show and learned all about the federally funded conservation program where landowners plant bands of prairie to improve water quality and pollinator habitat. If you were excited about land management practices and how they could positively impact the environment, you should consider majors in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM).
With majors in animal ecology and forestry, NREM at Iowa State has so many offerings for working with the environment and in agriculture. While the exhibit focused primarily on the STRIPS project, there are all kinds of related career areas. Consider the growing and harvesting of trees as an agricultural product - that's forestry. Think about raising fish for food or recreation - that's animal ecology. Students who love the Farm Progress Show that see themselves in careers that focus on the outdoors find a home in NREM.
If you are interested in Iowa State's park-like campus, check out a great how forestry student Sierra developed a project to teach students about our unique ecosystem.
Classes to look forward to
NREM 1300: Natural Resources and Agriculture
NREM 3010: Natural Resource Ecology and Soils
NREM 3450: Natural Resource Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems
NREM 3570: Midwestern Prairie Plants
NREM 4460: Integrating GPS and GIS for Natural Resource Management
For additional detail, see course catalog descriptions.
Career Potential
Animal ecology and forestry graduates have enjoyed above 95% placement rate within 6 months of graduation for several years straight. For additional information, check out our career placement, salary and internship information.