Submitted by The Islands Conservation Corps.
The Islands Conservation Corps, a program of the San Juan Islands Conservation District, is proud to announce the launch of a new San Juan Islands-based Master of Arts degree in Environmental Studies, in partnership with Western Washington University. The MA degree will be delivered through a hybrid model, delivering online, field-based, and in-person learning.
This degree is designed as a professional master with a focus on experiential learning that prepares students for a career at the intersection of environmental science, business and natural resource management. Coursework will provide a background in technical environmental science skills such as biostatistical analysis, Geographic Information Systems, and research design. Students can expect to improve their professional skills in communications, project management, public outreach, and business administration.
This program is the first of its kind in the region, offering higher education and workforce training to meet the needs of our local ecology in a changing climate. The program integrates with the Islands Conservation Corps Ecological Restoration Certificate program, where MA students serve as crew leaders for the first-year cohort on restoration projects in a broad range of complex ecosystems. Work sites on public lands throughout the San Juan archipelago offer opportunities to research current ecological challenges, as well as the influence of restoration strategies, providing an educational framework to further adaptive management in a changing climate.
Successful applicants will have already completed the Ecological Restoration Certificate program currently offered through the Islands Conservation Corps and WWU. To learn more about the Ecological Restoration Certificate and apply, please visit https://www.sanjuanislandscd.org/icc. Applications will be open until April 15st, 2022.
The San Juan Islands Conservation District and Islands Conservation Corps are continually grateful for the generous financial support from the Orcas Island Community Foundation, the San Juan Island Community Foundation, WA State Career Connect, WA Department of Natural Resources, and the WA Department of Commerce.
