Conservation Biology
About Our Program
Nature is your classroom in our conservation biology program. As protecting the world’s natural resources and wildlife becomes increasingly important, you’ll learn how to conduct research and effectively communicate with a wide range of audiences to influence positive environmental change.
While other aspects of conservation may focus on cleaning up superfund sites, policy directives on climate change, and other environmental factors that impact humans, conservation biology focuses on conserving nature by protecting species, their habitats, and their ecosystems.
Whether you’re examining moss in the Adirondack Park, collecting samples on local bodies of water, or studying mammals on the shorelines of Cape Cod, you’ll work side-by-side with faculty who are just as passionate about conservation biology as you are.
Learning Experiences to Prepare for Your Career
With an emphasis on learn-by-doing field experiences, you’ll develop the skills needed to preserve and protect the world’s biological diversity.Center for the Environment
We've combined our environmentally focused programs and bold new initiatives to create a brand new Center for the Environment–your hub for all things climate change, energy, conservation, sustainability, environmental justice, outdoor leadership, and more.
Explore the Center for the Environment
Research
Dig deeper into conservation topics or pressing issues through research, either during the semester or as part of a paid summer fellowship. You may even get to conduct research using wild game cameras like Kate Andy '20 and Donovan Spaulding '19. With the help of local residents, they identified animals captured on film as they traveled through the North Country.
Senior Year Research Capstone
Showcase your research with a senior-year capstone presentation. Kayla Edmunds ’21 and Cole Weigartz ’21 examined the conflict between green energy infrastructure and wildlife conservation by surveying members of the North Country community. They used the data they collected to propose potential solutions to environmental impact.
Explore Research at St. Lawrence
Nature Up North
This community-based organization housed at St. Lawrence connects people to the North Country environment through citizen scientist projects and outdoor adventures–and it offers internship and volunteer opportunities for conservation biology majors like you.
Sustainability Program
Environmentally conscious students of any major can apply for this unique year-long program where you’ll live and work on our organic farm.
Internships
Learn by doing in a real-world environment. Our majors intern with a wide range of organizations, including:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Laikipia Wildlife Forum
- Genesee County Park and Forest
- Westerly Land Trust
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- Local Ocean Conservation
- DEW Haven Zoo and Animal Rescue
Volunteering
You can also gain experience while making a difference through service work. Conservation biology majors have volunteered at wildlife sanctuaries, local farms, and in our Nature Up North program.
Global Perspectives
Choose from more than 30 semester-long programs in more than 20 international locations, including Kenya, New Zealand, and Australia.
The Adirondack Semester
Live off-the-grid in a remote yurt village: forage food, cook meals, enjoy the wilderness and take classes like nature writing and environmental ethics.
Short-Term Trips & Field Experiences
In addition to semester- and year-long programs, you’ll also have the chance to participate in short-term travel study trips with faculty members.
Connecting with Community
Among the 150+ clubs and organizations at St. Lawrence, you’ll find many that involve the outdoors, wildlife and environmental advocacy, including:
- Outing Club
- Environmental Action Organization
- Northern Mushroom Club
- SLU Ducks Unlimited
- CLAW - Connecting Laurentians Around Wilderness
- The Finer Things Cheese and Turophile Society
- Seed to Table
- St. Lawrence River Alliance
- Hunting and Fishing Club
- The Greenhouse
- Club Alpine Ski Team
- Model U.N.
- Campus Kitchen
- Divestment Club
- Geology Club
- Euphrates Institute
- SLU Legal
Alumni Network
St. Lawrence graduates are big thinkers, problem solvers, and fearless leaders at companies and organizations across the country and world. Our alumni network is the second-most influential source for recent graduate employment (only behind internships).
Explore the Power of our Alumni Network
Outcomes
Equally entrepreneurial, there are those Laurentians whose idea of the “office” is hosting a wedding on a classic sailing sloop, sustainably harvesting salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska, or digging up delicious potato varietals while restoring North Country soils. The outdoors in every Laurentian is not an accident; these examples show how the business of the outdoors comes with great responsibility.
Graduates from the conservation biology program have pursued careers in:
-
Land Conservation
- Parks and Recreation
- Education
- Americorps
- Wildlife Conservation
- Government
- Energy Efficiency
Why St. Lawrence for Conservation Biology
of St. Lawrence graduates majoring in a science field are employed or continuing their education within a year
Adirondacks
Nearly 9,400 square miles of lakes, rivers, trees, and mountains in our natural research lab-- the Adirondack Park.
of recent grads completed an experiential work or learning experience
including campus jobs, research, and Community-Based Learning
oldest collegiate outdoor club in the nation
Center for the Environment
Our brand-new Center for the Environment is a hub of environmental leadership, scholarship, and action.
Graduates from the conservation biology program have pursued careers in:
- Land Conservation
- Parks and Recreation
- Education
- Americorps
- Wildlife Conservation
- Government
- Energy Efficiency
Official Tree Campus
A student-faculty research project found that St. Lawrence's campus tree population is growing—with special emphasis on planting trees that are native to the North Country. The Arbor Foundation recognized our commitment to maintaining and growing green spaces by naming us a Tree Campus.
miles from the Adirondack Park and St. Lawrence River
Tree-To-Student Ratio
At St. Lawrence, there’s a tree with your name on it (at least for four years).
Alumni at Work: The Great Outdoors
Laurentians' passion for the outdoors is no accident. These examples show how the business of the outdoors comes with great responsibility that creates impactful careers.
More Program Information
Program Requirements & Courses
Explore conservation biology major requirements, as well as electives.
Complementary and Related Programs
If you’re interested in conservation biology, you might also like these programs.
Conservation Biology Faculty
Our faculty are environmental advocates, naturalists, and explorers. They’re beekeepers, porcupine experts, and habit preservationists, eager to collaborate with passionate students like you.
“We’re focused on training students to have the most up-to-date methods for conserving the world’s biodiversity-- which all humans are dependent upon.”
Erika Barthelmess
Brad Baldwin
Karl McKnight
Lorraine Olendzenski
Aswini Pai
Susan Willson
"Conservation biology is a great field, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it. The professors involved and the courses you take are just fantastic!"
Kealey Viglielmo
Center for the Environment
We've combined our environmentally focused programs and bold new initiatives to create a brand new Center for the Environment–your hub for all things climate change, energy, conservation, sustainability, environmental justice, outdoor leadership, and more.
Into the Environment
Local family farms. The North Country’s wilderness. Urban centers. Majoring in environmental studies at St. Lawrence means you’ll venture out of the classroom often.
Nature Up North
This community-based organization housed at St. Lawrence connects people to the North Country environment through citizen scientist projects and outdoor adventures -- and it offers internship and volunteer opportunities for conservation biology majors like you.
Wachtmeister Field Station
Take the wetlands to the workbench in our research station built with sustainability in mind.
Get More Information
We’re excited to learn more about you, tell you more about our interdisciplinary academic programs, show you around our beautiful campus, and help you navigate your college search.
Apply to St. Lawrence
We’re looking for curious students who are eager to make a difference. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications and consider all aspects of your application and what we learn about you.