World Wildlife Conservation Day 2024 is on Wednesday, December 4, 2024: What does a wildlife biologist do?

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 is World Wildlife Conservation Day 2024. VM- prepration for customs ... Wildlife Conservation Day

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A Wildlife Biologist helps out animals in the environment and in their habitats.

A career as a wildlife biologist conjures up visions of tracking Sumatran tigers in Indonesia or climbing trees to collect data on Bald Eagle nestlings. This job appeals to those who are passionate about the outdoors, and to those who feel more than a little wild themselves. But aside from the romance, what can you really expect from this career?

There are many types of wildlife biologists. Some sit at a desk all day. If you prefer a job in the field, look into field biologist or research biologist positions.

Education

Fifty years ago if you knew the wilderness and had a passion for hunting, you could’ve walked out of high school and easily procured a job. Not anymore. Today, the educational requirements require a minimum of a bachelors degree, and many agencies won’t consider hiring you if you don’t have a masters degree for research biologist positions.

When researching specific schools, dig deep to see what they have to offer you. Do they have a strong research program where there are internship opportunities? What kind of job can you expect from a four year college degree? Some schools offer very specific programs tailored to wildlife management and wildlife biologist positions, while others offer more generalized programs such as Environmental Studies. Take a long range view of their program and what it has to offer you.

Field Experience

The key to getting a permanent position as a wildlife biologist is racking up as much diversity, or perhaps, specificity, in field experience opportunities as you can. It all depends on where your interests lie. If you are in school look into the various jobs that master’s students in your program of study might offer. Many times they need apprentices in order to help them with their research, and can pay you a small stipend. Don’t neglect volunteer positions either, you can add these work skills to your resume. Do a good job and you will have an excellent reference that you could add to your resume.

Communication Skills

While you are in school think about taking courses in writing, journalism, or education. These classes may set you ahead of the pack. Many people think that dealing with the public is a remote possibility when you have a job in a faraway place as a field biologist. Think again. The public is hungry for your knowledge and expertise, and they want to hear what you have to say. Also, many people are very opinionated when it comes to managing wildlife populations and will want you to consider their ideas. You will often be in the position to educate the public about sound scientific research and practices. If you can demonstrate that knowledge to an employer, you are golden.

How Much Will I Make?

You probably won’t get rich as a biologist, and when you’re just starting out you might not make much more then minimum wage. But it’s a passion for the work and freedom in the field that will give you the greatest job satisfaction. State agencies tend to pay the most, while the federal government’s pay scale is lower. Non-profit agencies, such as The Nature Conservancy, also have limited budgets and do not pay well.

Where You Can Find Work

Competition for jobs is fierce. Yet you will be surprised to learn that there are a wide variety of places to find work. Consulting firms such as Griffith Wildlife Biology, hire wildlife biologists for specific projects. In America, look into state government job listings. The federal government also hires wildlife biologists. Don’t neglect opportunities closer to home either, such as local conservation agencies.

Another good source of job opportunities is through the Wildlife Society. Also, check out Ranger 146′s site, where you can get the lowdown on the life of a seasonal wildlife biologist along with job listings. If you want to work overseas, check into World Wildlife Fund or International Wildlife Coalition. But don’t stop there. You will have to root around like a wild boar in the muck to uncover a good position.

The links below will tell you more about wildlife biology, how to become a wildlife biologist, and what the job entails.

Hope this helps. If not, you can email me and I'll try to help you further.

Is conservation merely delaying the inevitable?

You are absolutely correct. The fact is that most of the world's and not just the UK's problems stem from overpopulation. I'm sure that if we wanted to we could build double the present number of homes in the UK but as you say at what cost to the "natural" environment? Even if those bleeding hearts who claim that human lives are more valuable win the day, we have to ask ourselves just what quality of life will those humans enjoy when they are all crammed together in soulless housing estates? We should set an upper limit on the size of the population of these overcrowded islands (preferably at a lower level than the present population thus solving the so called housing crisis) and this would take the issue out of the political arena and allow some realistic planning of infrastructure etc (and for the natural environment) without it being blown off course by massive migrations that for some reason we feel compelled to accommodate.

What careers can someone with a BA in Business get that are related to wildlife, animals, world conservation?

Travel Agent that specializes in Green Vacations, where clients pay for carbon credits to offset the carbon footprint of traveling by airlines to a destination like the Galapagos where they can learn about wildlife? Might be a popular business in Hollywood.

But I would also say that many non-profit organizations require an administrative staff, and that's where a business degree would come into play. You could be in human resources for something like the Arbor Day Foundation.