Parks, Recreation & Wildlife Program

Parks, Recreation, & Wildlife technicians are educated in the natural disciplines to meet the staffing needs of our region, state, and nation.  Coursework includes classes from the biological sciences such as botany, ecology, and zoology.  Students learn practical applications and techniques in wildlife, conservation, and outdoor recreation through courses such as equipment management, fish and wildlife management, and remote sensing and GIS.  Nature interpretation and wetlands management serve as capstone courses where material learned during the degree work is integrated.

Educational facilities include the College’s 80 acre Natural Resources Center, located adjacent to Dillon State Park and 70 acre wetland located on Shannon Valley Road.  The Muskingum County area provides numerous outdoor laboratory sites, having one of the highest concentrations of state parks, lakes, rivers, and wildlife and forest management areas in the state.

The Parks, Recreation, & Wildlife program is accredited by the North American Wildlife Technology Association.  Certifications which may be obtained during this program include: hunter and boater education, first aid, Project Wild, level 1 chainsaw, and USFS firefighters Ted Card.

Career opportunities include local, state, and federal positions with parks, wildlife, and conservation agencies.  Private organizations, such as The Wilds, zoos, arboretums, campgrounds, and landscape nurseries, also employ graduates.  The Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy at Zane State College is available for students seeking park or watercraft officer positions.

Through the Parks, Recreation, & Wildlife Program you can select from two concentrations:

• Parks & Recreation Concentration
• Fish & Wildlife Management Concentration