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Natural Resources


Our Mission

The Natural Resource program provides students with the knowledge and skills to be proficient in the technical aspects of management and protection of forest resources, the ability to successfully perform as forest technicians with a scientific knowledge base and an understanding of social and environmental issues within the natural resources field.

Associate in Applied Science Degree Options

 

 

 

  Students may choose from several different degree options:

   Natural Resources/Forestry
   Natural Resources/Law Enforcement
   Natural Resources/GIS 
   Natural Resources/Wildland Firefighting
   Natural Resources Gainful Employment Information

   Diploma Programs

   Wildland Firefighting - One Year Diploma

   Certificate

   GIS - Certificate

Transfer Opportunities

In addition to directly entering the workforce, Itasca's Natural Resource graduates have many different options available for transferring their completed coursework in order to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree. For example, graduates may pursue a B.S. degree in Forest Resources or Recreation Resource Management at the University of Minnesota - St. Paul They may choose the University of Minnesota - Crookston where a B.S. is available in Natural Resource Management, or graduates may decide on the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point where a B.S. may be obtained in many different fields such as Forestry, Resource Management, or Wildlife Management and several others. GIS graduates may transfer to Bemidji State University for a B.S. in Environmental Studies/GIS, while Law Enforcement graduates may transfer to either Bemidji State University for a B.S. in Criminal Justice or Hibbing Community College to complete the law enforcement portion of their degree.

Transfer Options:

 

 

Program Overview

  The Natural Resource program is unique:

  •    Five hundred acres of experimental forest land adjoins the Itasca campus and is  available for class study, hiking, and skiing.
  • Students can receive individual attention and assistance because classes are small  (approximately 20 - 25 students). The college works closely with many area forestry agencies and industries which often provide Itasca internship opportunities and access to experts in the field.
  • We share our campus with both the North Central Research Station-USDA Forest Service and the University of Minnesota North Central Research and Outreach Center -  so we can "borrow" the expertise of some of the leading forestry professionals in the state.

Itasca Community College's Natural Resources program, leading to the Associate of Applied Science Degree is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes SAF as the specialized accrediting body for forestry education in the United States.

 Itasca Community College is also one of more than twenty five member colleges that make up the Council of Eastern Forest Technician Schools (CEFTS). 

Program Features

  • Classes incorporate field labs that allow students to apply what they've learned in the classroom out "in the field."  You'll work together with your classmates on a variety of crews. 
  • Students are required to complete a Natural Resource internship that provides valuable career experience and job references.
  • A high quality education
  • Small class sizes
  • Friendly campus with lots of personal attention
  • Instructors who will challenge you and help you succeed
  • A scenic north woods location

Career Options

Our program prepares graduates for and successfully places them in a wide range of natural resource careers with federal, state, and county agencies or with private companies. Timber inventory, wildlife habitat management, firefighting and surveying are among the duties of  many natural resource technicians. Natural resource managers (with four-year degrees) may work as wildlife biologists, soil scientists or hydrologists.  Law enforcement graduates may work as conservation officers, police officers or in park security, while GIS graduates find careers in a variety of fields. Wildland firefighting graduates who successfully complete the course and pass a physical test will be eligible for a red card issued by firefighting agencies in the U.S.

Videos

The videos on the page are from a Forestry Conclave event.  It was held in Cloquet in the fall of 2011.  It was attended by Itasca Community College, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin-Steven Point, Iowa State University, University of Michigan, and Vermillion Community College students.  Ten Students from ICC attended and competed in events such as the match split, a pulp toss relay, a bolt toss for distance, the two person cross-cut sawing, log roll, axe throwing, tug-of-war, and the knowledge bowl.  The next competition will be held in Tomahawk Wisconsin in the Spring 2012, and ICC plans to bring at least 10 students to that event.

Meet the Faculty and Staff

For more information you can contact:
Marty Christensen
Phone: 218-322-2356
Email: Marty.Christensen@itascacc.edu