Conservation Biologist (2024)

Home/Conservation Biologist

In the simplest terms, a conservation biologist is a professional scientist who ‘manages’ nature; however, a more comprehensive answer might state that a conservation biologist is interested in studying the Earth’s biodiversity with a central goal of protecting both plant and animal species, habitats, and ecosystems. The areas of interest within this profession are substantial, and the opportunities to explore your own fascinations are nearly limitless.

As a further explanation of what a conservation biologist does: they are interested in researching and learning about excessive rates of extinction and the erosion of biotic interactions. Essentially they are attempting to prolong and protect the lives of plants and animals that would be otherwise at risk due to an endless number of factors. They are trained to know how to draw from the natural and social sciences while practicing natural resource management in order to conserve various environmental domains. They are responsible for protecting the resources of our planet, like air, water, land, and wildlife, as well as sustaining the many ecological and environmental systems that occur here.

Day-to-Day of a Conservation Biologist

Daily activities of a conservation biologist include things like studying the climate, researching and recording environmental trends, analyzing population, and developing solutions to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems.

As a conservation biologist, you have to learn how to communicate with a variety of other related professionals like government agencies, landowners, and the general public. Your work is often used to educate others on ecological threats and proper land and habitat treatment.

Many groundbreaking journals and publications emerge as a result of the research behind conservation biology—the findings that conservation biologists present can have major impacts on the laws and regulations concerning nature and wildlife. In addition, they can help to educate the general public on what they can do to positively affect the environment.

Without these professionals, it would not be possible to productively protect and maintain our world as we see it today. Moreover, we would not be able to reverse the effects that have already taken place due to pollution, overpopulation, excessive hunting, and general carelessness.

How to Become a Conservation Biologist

If you have the desire to become a conservation biologist, you will have to start by choosing a college and earning a degree. While your specific program may fall under a biology or environmental degree, the courses you’ll be offered will likely be similar no matter where you attend school.

Some of the courses you can expect are:

Wildlife Conservation vs. Conservation Biology

To quickly recap: a conservation biologist researches ecosystems, habitats, and animal life in order to develop potential solutions and advocacy. They represent the people who work in the field in order to identify issues and define key problems through intensive studies and research.

Once these problems are defined, they must be addressed and dealt with through the proper channels; this is where wildlife conservationists take over. These individuals are responsible for taking the findings of conservation biology and presenting them in a way that makes the issues more digestible to the general public and more recognizable to the policy makers. Essentially, they take the developed solutions and put them into practice, thus protecting animal species and their habitats through actions such as creating legislation, establishing and protecting public lands, and endorsing responsible public practices.

While these areas of study seem synonymous, they are in fact two very different professional paths. Whereas conservation biologists are the hands-on researchers and developers of conservation solutions, wildlife conservationists are the driving force behind getting those solutions to be actualized by society as a whole. The term ‘wildlife conservation’ covers a wide umbrella of careers that can be attained through having a degree in wildlife biology. Other careers you can find in this field are:

Wildlife Biologist
Land Trust Biologist
Researcher
Fish and Wildlife Technician
Natural Resources Manager
Non-profit Researcher
Population Biologist

Conservation Biologist Careers & Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lumps together biologists, scientists, and foresters in the same category. According to them, in 2017 these professionals were making an average of $60,970 per year, or $29.31 per hour.

Professionals in this field typically possess a bachelor’s degree for an entry-level position. In 2016, there were about 34,600 jobs in this field, and the outlook for jobs between 2016 and 2026 will see an increase of 6%. This means that the job sector expects to see about 2,000 jobs added in that 10-year range. In comparison to other industries, this growth rate is average.

Conservation biologists usually find jobs working for the government, like federal, state, and local agencies, but they can also work on privately owned lands or social advocacy organizations.

There are several job titles that fall under conservation biology. Here are some of the options available to those who end up in this field:

Research Specialist
Invasive Weed Mapping Technician
Marine Resources Specialist
Conservation Specialist
Wetland Regulatory Specialist
Program Coordinator
Field Assistant
Field Biologist
Field Botanist
Director of Global Forests Program

Hopefully the information above has provided a comprehensive answer to the question: What does a Conservation Biologist do? There are of course many areas of interest within this field, thus creating a multitude of exciting opportunities that await you.

If you are a hands-on type of person that wants to create a positive impact on the world around you, specifically through maintaining the natural systems of our planet and advocating for change in legislation and regulations to protect these systems, then a career as a conservation biologist may suit you.

Looking for next steps? Here are 6 things you didn’t know about Unity College’s Wildlife Conservation Degree. You can also check out our online wildlife conservation degree to discover our course selection and connect with our admissions team.

In the field of conservation biology, professionals are deeply entrenched in understanding and safeguarding our planet's biodiversity. They are scientists dedicated to preserving plant and animal species, their habitats, and the ecosystems they thrive in. Their work spans various domains, drawing from natural and social sciences to manage natural resources and ensure the sustainability of environmental systems.

To address the concepts outlined in the article, here's a breakdown:

Conservation Biology: This field focuses on studying biodiversity, striving to protect and conserve threatened species, habitats, and ecosystems. It involves understanding extinction rates, biotic interactions, and employing scientific knowledge to manage resources effectively.
Day-to-Day Work: Conservation biologists engage in activities such as climate study, environmental trend analysis, population research, and proposing solutions for ecosystem restoration. They collaborate with government agencies, landowners, and the public, aiming to educate and advocate for proper habitat treatment.
Educational Path: Becoming a conservation biologist typically starts with a relevant bachelor's degree program, often in biology, environmental science, or a specialized program like wildlife conservation. Courses cover ecology, genetics, animal behavior, marine conservation, and policy.
Wildlife Conservation vs. Conservation Biology: While these terms are related, they represent different aspects of the conservation process. Conservation biologists research and develop solutions, whereas wildlife conservationists implement these solutions by communicating findings to the public and policymakers. Both roles are integral to protecting ecosystems.
Careers and Salaries: Job opportunities for conservation biologists exist in government agencies, nonprofits, and private sectors. Roles include Wildlife Biologist, Researcher, Conservation Specialist, and more. Salaries in this field average around $60,000 annually, with a projected average job growth rate.
Skills and Impact: A career in conservation biology requires a passion for hands-on work and a desire to make a positive impact on the environment. It involves advocating for legislative changes, protecting natural systems, and influencing societal practices to preserve Earth's ecosystems.

Understanding these concepts provides a foundation for individuals interested in pursuing a career in conservation biology. It's a field that demands a blend of scientific expertise, communication skills, and a dedication to preserving our planet's natural resources for future generations.