If you are interested in guiding how we use natural resources in a responsible, sustainable way, consider the industries in this sector.

According to North Dakota State University, natural resource management is a systems approach to managing our natural resources and addresses the biological, engineering, social and economic aspects of managing natural resources as an integrated system. The focus is on three areas: biotic resources, physical/earth resources, and social sciences. When it comes to the environmental management and services, think air, water, land, waste, and forests as you explore the various facets of these industries.

See Chapter 8 of Green Careers For Dummies for additional information about these industries.

Air - Air Quality Management encompasses the monitoring, measurement, and control of pollutants in the air we breathe, be it in the city where we might be breathing pollution from cars and industrial sites, in the country where agricultural processes pollute the air, or microbial or in the buildings where we live and work. Strategies to reduce air pollution include urban and transportation planning, land use planning, technological advances in the manufacturing processes, design of products that cause less pollution when manufactured, improved regulation and enforcement, cleaner fuels, and improving the fuel efficiency of cars, trucks, cargo ships and other vehicles. Detailed Air Quality Industry Profile Available (link below)

Fish and Wildlife - If biodiversity, care for ecosystems and the protection, conservation and restoration of wildlife habitats and wildlife populations appeal to you, consider a career in Wildlife and Fisheries Management. Your options will be varied. Depending on your background and interests, you might be involved in research, studying wildlife health, designing habitat restoration plans, or working directly with endangered species. This industry has positions for a wide range of specialists including biologists, physicists, experts in GIS/modeling, statisticians, mathematicians, chemists, climatologists and geographers and various interdisciplinary teams employing, for example, specialists in genetics, ecology, economics, physiology, limnology and other sciences. Detailed Fish and Wildlife Industry Profile Available (link below)

Forests - Forestry is a very old industry with new concerns. Today's foresters manage forests with a view to sustainability, resource management, as well as the beneficial effects of forests on our climate. Cities are beginning to manage their "urban forest" as a means of cleaning up air pollution and reducing the temperature in the hot summer months. Timber products such as wood, wood pulp, and paper, are now certified to show that they are from responsibly grown and managed forests, taking into consideration not only the well being of the environment, conservation of resources, protection of water sources and wildlife habitats, and the needs of future generations. Detailed Forestry Industry Profile Available (link below)

Land Management - The objectives of Land Management are to ensure that our lands are used in a sustainable manner to benefit human endeavors while protecting natural habitats and preserving biodiversity of our ecosystems. The field is pretty broad and includes Conservation, Restoration, Remediation, Land Use and Land Trust Management. Detailed Land Management Industry Profile Available (link below)

Sustainabile Agriculture - Sustainable Agriculture seeks to produce food, fiber, and livestock in a way that is profitable, environmentally sound, and good for communities. People in this industry strive to produce with the least possible harm to the environment and without depleting the earth's resources. To do this they model their practices after systems found in nature and use methodologies that are self-sustaining, Sustainable Agriculture embraces biodiversity, recycling of plant nutrients, protecting soil from erosion, water conservation, minimizing tillage, and more. Detailed Sustainable Agriculture Industry Profile Available (link below)

Water Resource Management - Water Resources Management includes water treatment to make water suitable for drinking, agriculture, and industrial uses and water conservation to identify ways to conserve water. Managing wetlands and flood water management are some other aspects of Water Resources Management. Detailed Water Resource Management Industry Profile Available (link below)