Natural Resources

About the Program

Students studying in the Natural Resources program at the Coshocton County Career Center will focus their learning on forestry, wildlife, parks and recreation, and heavy equipment operation. Students will learn how to manage our country's natural resources and gain hands on skills necessary to carry out forestry and wildlife management plans.

Related instruction includes timber stand improvement methods, wildlife habitat building, topographical mapping, identification of trees, identification of wildlife, forest diseases and pests, ecosystems and how they interact, soil and water conservation topics, and parks and recreational management and maintenance.

Lab instruction includes maintaining recreational facilities, tree trimming, maintenance and safe operation of chainsaws, tree climbing, wildlife surveys, habitat building, landscaping and grounds maintenance including the improvement of forest properties, heavy equipment operation, use of transit, and small wood construction projects.

Partnerships with: Zane State College and Hocking College

Career Pathways: Wildlife Officer, Park Ranger, Heavy Equipment Operator, Hunting Guide, Forest Technician, Wildlife Biologist, Naturalist, Environmentalist, Arboretum Specialist, Forest Ranger, Landscaper, Surveyor, Tree Trimmer

Early Placement

If you have maintained an acceptable GPA and attendance record during your junior year, you may qualify for an early-placement work option during your senior year.

Placed in a job through this program, you will have the chance to practice the skills you have learned during your first year of study. Depending on your ability and interest, you might work at a wildlife refuge, a city park, a retail sporting goods or hunting outfitter, or for the Ohio DNR, in some capacity. This work experience will compose a large part of your final lab grade. Not only will you receive program credit, but you will also have the opportunity to build employability skills, and garner trust and a positive work reference from your employer.

Further Education

Should you wish to further your education as many Career Center graduates do, you will find that the time you invested in the Natural Resources program may earn you pre-approved college credit.

Because graduates of the Natural Resources program have completed and passed the three certification courses offered by the Department of Natural Resources – Hunter Safety, Trapper Education, and Motorboat Safety – students are able to receive 3 semester hours of college credit. This makes the cost of attaining an associates or 4-year degree in the field of Natural Resources more affordable for these individuals. Some employers will even pay for their employees to earn their degrees!

Colleges which participate (articulate) with the Coshocton County Career Center for these credits include Zane State College and Hocking College.

Associations

All students in the Natural Reources program participate in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) club. Involvement in FFA will give you an opportunity to improve your leadership and interpersonal skills and to compete in local, regional, state, and national skills contests.

Alumni Update

“Coming to the Career Center was a great decision for me. I got to practice my trade and develop experience in a field that I really enjoy. My skills definitely helped my branch out and land my first job in the industry. The Natural Resources program is a great fit for anyone who enjoys forestry and wildlife.”

- Spencer Thomas, 2007 Natural Resources Program Completer, Whitetail Deer Hunting Guide at IMB Outfitters, Macon, Missouri

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