Nearly 82 percent of Gunnison County is surrounded by public land. Western’s beautiful setting is the ideal environment to learn about integrative public land management and sustainable practices.
Program Overview
Help build resilient social and ecological systems.
The Integrative & Public Land Management (IPLM) track will teach you how to balance project management, climate action and collaborative solutions across diverse communities. In the program, you’ll have the unique opportunity to participate in applied projects, field experiences and a self-designed, 600-hour master’s project. In addition, the MEM faculty members’ extensive professional networks in conservation nonprofits, environmental consulting companies and agencies will help you find your niche in land management and climate adaptation.
Through a combination of immersive educational experiences, intensive coursework and industry networks, you’ll be prepared to launch your career in public land management, private land conservation, conservation advocacy and more.
Vast outdoor laboritory
Masters in Environmental Management (MEM) students are able to take full advantage of the abundance of public land in Gunnison County where diverse ecosystems, natural resources, participation in conservation easement agreements and enthusiastic community partners abound.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
All Biology majors require the 26-credit Biology Nucleus.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Nucleus | ||
| BIOL 150 | Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| BIOL 151 | Diversity and Patterns of Life (with laboratory) | 4 |
| BIOL 301 | General Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 310 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 312 | Genetics (with recitation) | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| Total Credits | 26 | |
(beyond required Core courses)
Nine Credits of:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one or both of the following: | 1-9 | |
ENVS 623 | Studies in Environmental Management | |
ENVS 625 | Studies in Integrative and Public Land Management | |
| Masters Project Requirement | ||
| ENVS 690 | MEM Project Development | 5 |
| ENVS 694 | Master's Project and Portfolio 1 | 9 |
| Total Credits | 15-23 | |
| 1 | Students must take 3 cr of ENVS 694 Master's Project and Portfolio Fall Year 5 and 6 credits of ENVS 694 Master's Project and Portfolio Spring Year 5. |
Spotlight
Gabby Zaldumbide
Student
“Opportunities abound in the West, and the best escape from the ‘real world’ can be just minutes from my doorstep."
Careers
Career preparation starts your first year at Western and is the primary focus of every degree.
Visit Career Services in Library 120 or online to discover your interests, define your goals, and land the career of your dreams.
The data below is automatically collected by Burning Glass Technologies, a firm that sources job market data and provides analytics. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
Why Western?
An ideal learning environment.
The MEM takes full advantage of the abundance of public land in Gunnison County where diverse ecosystems, natural resources, participation in conservation easement agreements and enthusiastic community partners abound. Our faculty have interests ranging from ecology and wildlife biology to recreation management and geography to strategies in the face of climate chaos and bring a wealth of connections with local, regional and national environmental organizations. In the program, you’ll be immersed in an extraordinary outdoor laboratory with true experts in land management guiding them along the way.
More than 90 percent of our graduates are employed in an environmental position either prior to or immediately following graduation at organizations such as:
- U.S. Forest Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- National Park Service
- Defenders of Wildlife
- Teton Science Schools
- Jefferson County Open Space Parks and Trails
- Crested Butte Land Trust
Trailblazing
Volunteers built a new segment of trail during the midland trail build party.
What Skills Will I Acquire?
Gain the skills necessary for an in-demand career in land management.
Western’s IPLM track was created in response to interviews with federal and local agencies, nonprofit executive directors and environmental consultants who identified the skills and experiences they wish to see in their employees. In-demand skills that you will acquire in the program include:
- Understanding how to analyze and manage social and ecological systems
- Applying scientific knowledge and methods to environmental management questions
- Navigating complex and challenging problems with diverse stakeholders
- Transforming land management institutions to respond better to social and ecological change
Charting a course
Integrative & Public Land Management students are immersed in applied projects, field experiences and a self-designed, 600-hour master’s project—leaving prepared for careers in public land management, private land conservation, and conservation advocacy.
Additional Resources
Department Information
Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability
Interim Dean
Melanie Armstrong, Ph.D.Interim Dean of Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability, Associate Professor of Environment & Sustainability, Center for Public Lands Director
Campus Location
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81230