A Career as a Wildlife Conservationist

If you enjoy the outdoors, think about a fascinating career as a "wildlife conservationist." A wildlife conservationist works to protect the environment by protecting and managing grasslands, woodlands, mountains, rivers, coastal areas and marine habitats. As a wildlife conservationist, you will encourage communities to understand and preserve the natural environment around them. Wildlife conservationists also work to save endangered species and protect their habitats.

Habitat Conservation

An important job of a wildlife conservationist is preserving the habitats of animals. This may include planting trees or working in coastal areas to battle "coastal erosion." Some animals in danger of becoming extinct are kept and cared for at places such as "wildlife refuges " or "big game reserves." Wildlife conservationists work closely with monitoring the progress of these endangered animals.

Marine Conservation

One specialized area of wildlife conservation is "marine conservation." As a marine conservationist, you will be involved in such activities as diving and conducting research on coral reefs. Coastal erosion is an important issue facing the residents and marine life of coastal areas. As coastal and ocean resources are depleted, this research is taking on a new urgency.

Education

An important part of a wildlife conservationist's job is educating the public. This involves teaching people better ways of caring for their environment and the wildlife living there. Raising public awareness and raising funds for research is one of the best ways to ensure that lands and endangered species are protected.

Job Outlook

The Job Bank USA reports growth for conservation scientists and foresters will be stronger in scientific research and private sector consulting firms through 2012. As a stronger emphasis is placed upon environmental protection, these job opportunities will continue to increase. Hiring of conservationists to prepare environmental impact studies on erosion control and tree harvesting will continue through the year 2012.

Salary

As reported by the Job Bank USA, the median salary of conservationists in 2002 was $50,340. Salaries in the wildlife conservation field can range from $30,000 to $70,000 per year. Entering the job field as a forester, soil conservationist or range manager, you can expect a beginning salary of $23,000 to $29,000 per year. Conservationists holding a doctorate degree may increase their beginning salary to $51,000 annually.

Sources:

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/nature_conservation_officer_job_description.jsp

http://www.jobbankusa.com/career_employment/conservation_scientists_foresters/job_descriptions_definitions_roles_responsibility.html

http://www.thecareerbreaksite.com/what-to-do/wildlife-conservation.php

http://www.jobbankusa.com/career_employment/conservation_scientists_foresters/salary_wages_pay.html
http://www.jobbankusa.com/career_employment/conservation_scientists_foresters/jobs_outlook.html