OCCC approved to launch new Natural Resources degree this fall

New transfer pathway will connect Lincoln County students from high school to Oregon State University

Oregon Coast Community College has received approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) to launch a new Associate of Science in Natural Resources beginning in the upcoming Fall 2026 term.

The new degree program — developed through years of collaboration and consultation with Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center leadership — will create a local, affordable pathway for Lincoln County students interested in conservation, environmental stewardship, and natural resources. Throughout program development, OCCC leadership also worked closely with Oregon State University to align courses and outcomes.

Designed with transferability in mind, the Associate of Science in Natural Resources is aligned with the Natural Resources program at OSU. The pathway will allow students to begin taking relevant coursework through Dual Credit while still in high school, complete their degree at OCCC, and then transfer to continue their education at Oregon State University.  The Degree Partnership Program between OCCC and OSU will facilitate easy progression towards a bachelor’s degree. Several federal, state, and local employers are interested in providing learning opportunities for courses and internships. 

At the same time, the program is designed to provide students with relevant, place-based education that can prepare them either to enter industry or continue toward a four-year degree. For students who care about the environment and want to study natural systems without leaving the county right away, the program offers a new opportunity to begin that path close to home.

“This is a major milestone for Oregon Coast Community College and for students in Lincoln County,” said Dr. Marshall Mease Roache, OCCC President. “For the first time, students here will have a clear and affordable pathway into the study of natural resources that begins close to home, is rooted in the Oregon Coast, and opens the door to continued study and meaningful careers.”

The program is grounded in the values of stewardship, sustainability, and long-term thinking that have shaped Yakona’s work in Lincoln County. Yakona’s 490-acre preserve serves as a living example of conservation-minded land stewardship, with management practices shaped by a 300-year time horizon.

That perspective helped inspire the development of a program designed not only to prepare students academically, but also to deepen their understanding of how people can care for and learn from the natural world over time.

“We’re proud to help support a program that reflects the long-term stewardship values we believe are essential to the future of this region,” said Dr. Natalie Schaefer, Executive Director of Yakona.

Students enrolled in the program will benefit from small class sizes, individualized advising, and opportunities for applied learning connected to the natural environment of the central Oregon coast.

The launch of the program has been made possible in part through the generosity of Bill and JoAnn Barton, founders of Yakona and among the most significant benefactors in the history of the OCCC Foundation.

“We are deeply grateful to Bill and JoAnn Barton for helping make this possible,” President Roache said. “Their commitment to education, conservation, and this community has helped create something that will serve students here for years to come.”

Students interested in beginning the program in Fall 2026 are encouraged to connect with an OCCC Student Success Coach at any time to learn more and begin planning their path.

Schedule a meeting with a Student Success Coach to find out how you can participate!