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How to Start a Career in Nature Conservation

For those who love to experience nature, and who can think of nowhere else they would rather be, a career that centers around conservation and the great outdoors might be the ideal way to turn a beloved hobby into something that also pays the bills.

Those with a deep interest in the natural world have a huge variety of jobs that center on preserving, cultivating, and experiencing nature.

Park rangers, for instance, educate people about the natural world around them and also work to preserve the delicate ecological balance of parks and preserves across the country. Park rangers typically have a four year degree in a related field, and are paid roughly $30,000 a year on average.

For those who both love nature and either have a four year degree or else the desire to earn one, a career in conservation science might be another viable career path.

Conservation science is a big field, with practitioners helping to manage and advise on the development and protection of land and natural resources. Some may work for the government, while others work in the private sector. Some may spend all their time in a lab or an office, while others may choose to spend considerably more time in the field.

Conservation scientists have at a minimum a bachelors degree, and a significant number may also have a graduate degree. The average earnings for a conservation scientist are about $55,000 a year.

Botany, which is the study of plants, is another broad field of employment that nature hobbyists might find great job satisfaction.

Botanists, like conservation scientists, are typically well educated with at least a bachelors degree although a masters degree or doctorate will open up more job opportunities.

Botanists must also possess a great deal of patience, good manual dexterity, and above all a love of nature.

Botany can involve working mostly indoors or outdoors, depending on preference. The job outlook for the botany field is about average, and botanists earn on average just over $60,000 a year.

More about naturalist careers around the Web:

Careers in Nature - Extensive directory of related resources to more information on naturalist and environmental careers.

Conservation career advice for students - Extensive interviews with professionals in the field.

Careers in Botany - Botanical Society of America members discuss their work and how they began their careers.

National Park Service - Employment Information - General job description and guide to permanent, seasonal and volunteer jobs, contact info and job listings.

also see -> Starting a Garden Center or Landscaping Business

also see -> Environmental Sciences | Global Warming

Green Jobs