Parks, Recreation and Ecotourism
CENTER for NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

Parks, Recreation and Ecotourism majors are dedicated to the conservation and protection of parks, outdoor recreation areas, as well as natural and cultural historical sites that enhance the quality of life for humans and wildlife. They want to share their love of the environment with the public and adventurous clientele who want to experience nature and/or cultural history from a variety of different perspectives--hiking in a national park, going to a natural history museum, or birdwatching in a wildlife refuge.

Is this you?
The Parks, Recreation and Ecotourism major is designed to provide students with hands-on field experience and practical skills in addition to the educational foundation for work in a wide range of settings such as parks and protected areas, the public and private business sectors, nonprofit environmental organizations, as well as local, state and federal natural resource agencies. This Bachelor of Science program blends the natural, social, and management sciences to provide that framework of knowledge in an interdisciplinary format to best meet the needs of recreation, tourism, natural resource planning, and environmental organization.

If yes, a Parks, Recreation and Ecotourism major is for you.

What you'll study
In addition to core natural and social sciences courses, your studies will include:

• Ecotourism
• Environmental Resource Law
• Interpretation of Natural/Cultural Heritage
• North American Wildlife and Dendrology
• Park Planning and Design
• Professional Ethics and Development
• Visitor and Resource Protection

Complete Program Requirements

What you'll do
Your projects may include:

• Leading nature walks for local elementary school classes
• Designing interpretive signage and exhibits for parks and organizations
• Conducting natural and cultural history inventories on local land trust properties
• Writing funding grants and developing volunteer programs
  
  
  
  

Who will teach you

Carol Blasi Associate Professor of Conservation Law Unity College students play an active role in designing the type of educational experience they will have.	Tom Mullin Associate Professor of Parks, Recreation and Ecotourism Director, Center for Natural Resource Management and Protection	Nancy Ross Professor of Environmental Policy Our students are dedicated, engaged, and passionate about changing the world for the better. Unity challenges them to turn their hopes and ideas into critical thought and action.

Where your Major can take you
Parks, Recreation and Ecotourism graduates go on to become:

Entrepareneurs of Ecotourism Adventure
Environmental Educators (State and Local Park Agencies; Non-Profits)
Intrepretive Naturalists (Federal, State, and Local Park Agencies)
Park Rangers (Federal, State, and Local Park Agencies)
Resource Managers (Land Trusts)
Trail Maintenance/Construction Managers (Federal and State Agencies;
     Non-Profits)

Unity College Parks, Recreation and Ecotourism graduates have accepted positions with the following:

Baxter State Park, ME
Bureau of Land Management
Chewonki Foundation, ME
Crater Lake National Park, OR
New York City Department of Parks, NY
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, MA
U.S. Forest Service
Zion National Park, UT 

Explore a Career in Parks, Recreation and Ecotourism