Natural Resources
An Unprecedented Start To Your 4-Year Natural Resources Degree
What is Natural Resources?
OCCC’s new Associate of Science in Natural Resources provides an affordable, local pathway for students interested in:
- Conservation
- Sustainability & Ecology
- Environmental Stewardship
- Natural Resource Management
Learn close to home before pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University, while experiencing hands-on learning connected to the central Oregon Coast. OCCC offers supportive faculty, small classes, and personalized advising to help you reach your goals.
What Makes This Program Different
Planned with Oregon State University
Graduates of the OCCC Natural Resources program can continue directly into the Natural Resources (NR) Bachelor of Science degree program at OSU — no starting over, no wasted credits. Your transfer degree is a launchpad, not a ceiling.
Why Choose Natural Resources?
Options, options, options.
The world of natural resources opens up a broad range of career opportunities – featuring careers ideally suited for our times, in-demand in our community, our state, and throughout the nation.
Upon completion of OCCC’s 2-yearn transfer degree, you’ll choose the OSU Natural Resources (NR) program suited to your personal and professional goals, such as:
- Wildlife Conservationist
- Watershed Manager
- Natural Resource Educator
- Forester
- Restoration Ecologist
- Environmental Consulting
- Conservation Law Enforcement Officer
- Environmental Interpretation/Naturalist
- Geographic Information Science Technician
- Fisheries and Marine Scientist
- Land Use Planning Specialist
- Environmental Policy and Law Specialist
The Numbers Don't Lie
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, life, physical, and social science occupations as a whole are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Here are just a few career paths you can pursue when you start with OCCC’s Natural Resources program.
Career Area | Typical Mid-Career Pay* | Projected Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
Environmental Scientist / Environmental Consultant | ~$79,000 median annual wage | +4% |
Conservation Scientist | ~$69,000 median annual wage | +3% |
Forester | ~$64,000 median annual wage | +3% |
The Yakona Difference
Yakona is a true living laboratory. OCCC students will learn in a protected, private, forested environment unlike any other. We know of no such transfer program offered by any other college that offers an opportunity anything like Yakona.
Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center is a 450-acre peninsula jutting into the Yaquina Bay, where students engage in hands-on learning within one of the Oregon Coast’s rare and restored Sitka spruce forest ecosystems.
A note of thanks.
The Oregon Coast Community College Natural Resources Program is made possible by a generous donation from Bill and JoAnn Barton. The OCCC family salutes the Bartons for their commitment to Lincoln County and our environment.
How Do You Get Started?
Ready to make your move? Here’s the roadmap.
The Curriculum — Your Program at a Glance
| Courses | What You'll Learn |
|---|---|
| NR 201 & 202 | Introductory & Career Options |
| BI 221, 222, 223* (Biology) | Ecology & Evolution, Lab and Research |
| G 184 (Geology) | Global Climate Change |
| GEO 201 (Geography) | Fundamentals of Geospatial Science |
| FES 240 (Forest Environmental Science) | Forest Biology |
| FOR 111 (Forestry) | Introduction to Forestry |
| ESR 171 (Environmental Science) | Environmental Science & Forest Biology |
| FW 251 (Fish & Wildlife) | Principles of Fish & Wildlife Conservation |
Where Classes Are Held
Courses required for the Natural Resources program are offered at the OCCC locations in Newport and Lincoln City, with field lab work taking place across the Yakona Nature Preserve.
Paying for School — You Have Options
Cost should never be the reason you don’t pursue a transfer degree. Your Student Success Coach can tell you about OCCC’s Financial Aid options.
Your Next Steps
Your career is waiting. Let’s not waste a moment!
Ready to start? Here’s what to do today:
1 – Schedule an in-person or Zoom advising appointment with a Student Success Coach.
4 – Apply for admission and register for Fall term
Additional Information
Disabilities
Oregon Coast Community College is committed to providing equal opportunities for students with disabilities throughout the College community. Students with documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Our philosophy is to maximize your independence and self-reliance, providing a variety of support options to assist you in achieving your educational and/or vocational objectives. To receive services, you must submit documentation of your disabling condition(s) to the Vice President for Student Affairs. To initiate support services, please contact the Vice President for Student Affairs at 541-867-8511. Students are responsible for requesting, in a timely manner, accommodation and documenting the nature and extent of their disability.
Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
The College prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law in any area, activity or operation of the College. The College also prohibits retaliation against an individual for engaging in activity protected under this policy, and interfering with rights or privileges granted under anti-discrimination laws. In addition, the College complies with applicable provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), related Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA’), and all local and state civil rights laws. Under this policy, equal opportunity for employment, admission, and participation in the College’s programs, services, and activities will be extended to all persons, and the College will promote equal opportunity and treatment through application of this policy and other College efforts designed for that purpose.
Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact either:
Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Kristina Holton
or
Director of Human Resources, Joy Gutknecht
Questions can also be mailed to their attention at 400 SE College Way, Newport, OR 97366.