Pre-Forestry and Wildlife
January 8, 2025 2025-12-05 12:11Pre-Forestry and Wildlife
Conserve and Protect Natural Resources
Pre-Forestry and Wildlife
Prepare for careers in forestry and wildlife conservation.
Pre-Professional Program in Forestry and Wildlife
The Pre-Forestry & Wildlife Advising Track is not a major — it’s an advising support path that you combine with your chosen degree program at the University of Lynchburg. Students interested in forestry, wildlife conservation, natural resource management, and environmental science careers benefit from a strong foundation in ecology, biology, chemistry, and environmental systems. This track helps you complete the right courses, gain hands-on field experience, and prepare for transfer or graduate-level opportunities.
Whether your goal is to pursue forestry school, wildlife biology graduate programs, conservation internships, or government agency roles, this track provides tailored guidance on academic planning, recommended coursework, internship preparation, and career pathways. Faculty advisors support you in connecting your interests with the many areas of forestry and wildlife science.
Our goal is to help you build a strong scientific and field-based foundation for entry into forestry, wildlife, conservation, or natural resources programs.
How to Declare the Pre-Forestry & Wildlife Advising Track
- Contact the Office of Academic Advising.
- Request to declare the Pre-Forestry & Wildlife Advising Track.
- You will be paired with a faculty advisor who specializes in environmental and ecological pathways.
Declaring ensures you receive support with course sequencing, fieldwork planning, and program preparation.
Recommended Majors
Students pursuing forestry or wildlife careers often major in:
Students in other majors may pursue this track with appropriate science electives.
Prerequisite Courses for Forestry & Wildlife Programs
Prerequisites vary depending on the type of program, but common expectations include:
Core Sciences
- Biology (with lab)
- General Chemistry (1–2 semesters with lab)
- Ecology or Environmental Science
- Introductory Physics (sometimes recommended)
Quantitative & Environmental Skills
- Statistics
- Calculus or College Algebra
- GIS or mapping-related coursework (depending on school)
- Natural resource management
Forestry schools may also require field biology or plant science courses.
Recommended Lynchburg Courses
Your advising materials indicate:
- BIOL 113, 114
- CHEM 111, 112
- ENVS or Ecology-related courses
- Statistics (MATH 222)
- ENVS electives such as:
- Conservation Biology
- Botany
- Zoology
- Field Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Students planning for forestry school should especially consider biology electives with fieldwork components.
Fieldwork & Internship Experience
Hands-on experience is essential. Recommended experiences include:
- Volunteering with state parks or wildlife refuges
- Assisting with conservation or land management projects
- Interning with environmental agencies
- Working with wildlife rehabilitation centers
- Participating in field research with Lynchburg faculty
These experiences strengthen applications and provide practical exposure to forest and wildlife management.
What Jobs Can I Get With Pre-Forestry and Wildlife?
With a background in forestry and wildlife, you can pursue various careers in conservation and natural resource management. Job titles include:
- Wildlife Biologist: $62,000
- Conservation Scientist: $61,000
- Forester: $55,000
- Environmental Scientist: $63,000
- Park Ranger: $45,000
- Ecologist: $65,000
- Natural Resource Manager: $70,000
- Fisheries Biologist: $57,000
- Environmental Educator: $50,000
- Soil and Plant Scientist: $62,000
Salary and job projections come from national averages in the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources, including Glassdoor, Indeed, and industry-specific posts and publications. The data is meant to provide you with an idea of career options and salary ranges, not as a guarantee of obtaining these positions after graduation. These represent national averages and may vary by source and time frame collected. Actual salaries vary by region. Some jobs may require additional training or graduate education.
