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Wildlife/Forestry Conservation

Career Diploma

Program Outline

Instruction Sets
Your program consists of seven Instruction Sets written to take you step-by-step through the knowledge and skills you'll use in your new career.

Here's how it works
You receive the first course as soon as your enrollment has been accepted, and other courses will follow as you complete your exams.

Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need access to high-speed internet to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 10® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running macOS® or later, and an email account to complete this program with Penn Foster.

Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll access your lessons:

Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal: The Wildlife/Forestry Conservation Career Diploma program prepares students for an entry-level position in the field of wildlife and forestry conservation.

Program Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Understand how to gather data on water and soil quality, disease, insect damage to trees and other plants, and conditions that may pose a fire hazard
  • Recognize how to locate property lines and evaluate forested areas to determine the species, quality, and amount of standing timber
  • Characterize the habits and behaviors of wildlife
  • Identify how to maintain trails, campsites, and other recreational facilities
  • Understand how to patrol forest areas and enforce environmental protection regulations
  • Recognize how to communicate with foresters, scientists, and sometimes the public about ongoing forestry and conservation activities
  • Recognize how to suppress forest fires with fire control activities
  • Understand how to train other forestry workers and coordinate detection programs

Instruction Set 1

Starting Your Program
Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program. Understand how to use your Student Portal. Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers. Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.

Conservation: People, Animals, and Habitat
Fire detection; government agency and private industry; Internet references; optional Internet activity.

Instruction Set 2

Wildlife Management: Upland Birds
Reproduction; trapping and transporting; stocking; description of upland families.

Wildlife Management: Waterfowl
Basic waterfowl biology; population management and monitoring; optional Internet activity.

Reference: Neotropical Bird Migration

Instruction Set 3

Wildlife Management: Small Mammals, Part 1

Wildlife Management: Small Mammals, Part 2
Principles and rationale of small mammal management; common factors; employment opportunities; optional Internet activity.

Instruction Set 4

Wildlife Management: Large Mammals, Part 1

Wildlife Management: Large Mammals, Part 2
Management principles, goals, and techniques; population dynamics; wildlife lands; improving habitat; expectations for the future; classification.

Wildlife Management: Predators
Predator/prey systems; predator management; legalities; needs and applications in wildlife and livestock contexts; optional Internet activity.

Park Management
Private parks and recreational facilities; operation of parks; optional Internet activity.

Reference: National Audubon Society Pocket Guide to Familiar North American Mammals

Instruction Set 5

Rangelands Management
Range monitoring and inventory; stocking rates; grazing methods; manipulation of range vegetation; erosion; optional Internet activity.

Forest Management, Part 1

Forest Management, Part 2
Urban forests; job descriptions; forest ecology; regeneration methods; management plans; forest management agencies; optional Internet activity.

Forest Protection
Forest health issues, including, deforestation and over-harvesting; fire ecology; optional Internet activity.

Reference: Peterson First Guide to Birds of North America

Instruction Set 6

Cold Water Fish Management
Provision and improvement of cold water fish habitats; stocking; habitat rehabilitation and improvement; implementing appropriate fish regulations; optional Internet activity.

Warm Water Fish Management
Stocking methods; stocking to change existing population; management of wild fish populations and their habitat; age determination; collecting and using measurement data; careers in fish management; optional Internet activity.

Aquaculture
Raising fish for stocking in the wild and for consumption.

Reference: National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fish, Whales, and Dolphins

Instruction Set 7

International Conservation Issues
Particular issues of concern to countries other than the United States.

Safety in the Field
Safety; basic field equipment.

Wildlife Law Enforcement
Protecting wildlife through law; the enforcer's role; state and Federal laws; rights of private citizens; types of violations; evidence; search and arrest; testimony.

Textbook: Wildlife Law Enforcement

 

Online Library and Librarian
Students in Penn Foster College have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with Penn Foster College International.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

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