Associate of Applied Science - Natural Resources - Water Quality

This degree program prepares graduates to work in a variety of outdoor careers. Graduates monitor stream, lake, and wetland systems for water quality and functions of physical, biological, and chemical parameters. They identify plants and animals using taxonomic keys. They assist wetlands delineation and GPS/map their location. Graduates also apply and follow environmental regulations regarding stream and wetland protection.

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: • Demonstrate the knowledge of ecosystem management techniques to develop forest management objectives related to fire ecology and restoration, riparian and wildlife management including harvest and silvicultural prescriptions. • Demonstrate knowledge of biological, abiotic and cultural ecosystems as they apply to natural resource management in today’s society. • Utilize the latest technology in forest navigation, mapping, planning and implementation of forest management practices. • Demonstrate skills to accurately collect, analyze and present a variety of natural resources data collected using the latest field techniques for useful outputs. • Demonstrate good verbal and written communications to disseminate information effectively to a variety of audiences. • Use water sampling techniques including water chemistry, profile and cross sectional analysis as well as habitat components of streams • Understand keystone salmonid ecology and interactions with PNW ecology and culture. • Identify healthy streams and reaches with restoration potential and be able to list the key steps required to restore habitat back to reference reach conditions.