Major in Conservation and Environmental Leadership, Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Management Concentration

The Major in Conservation and Environmental Leadership aims to prepare students, as future leaders, to use social science to conserve biodiversity and promote meaningful and joyful relationships between people and nature. Through interdisciplinary learning that emphasizes applications of the social sciences to environmental conservation and natural resource management, students are trained to address complex challenges through collaboration, innovation, and leadership. Our major also prepares students to ensure that diverse voices and worldviews are included in the quest for a sustainable future. Students gain strong foundations in systems thinking, planning, communication, leadership, governance, collaboration, and justice, preparing them for careers that connect people, nature, and sustainability in nonprofit, government, business, and community settings. 

The Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Management Concentration prepares students with the skills and knowledge to improve human well-being and environmental stewardship through outdoor experiences. Students build skills in tourism, recreation, and parks planning; environmental education; outdoor program design; communication and marketing; impact evaluation; and business fundamentals. This concentration is designed for students who want to create, manage, and improve outdoor experiences that benefit both people and nature.  

Potential Occupations

Students are prepared for positions with municipal open space and recreation departments, public land management and parks agencies, outdoor recreation outfitters and enterprises, and outdoor education facilities. Early career roles may include park ranger, environmental educator, outdoor recreation guide, visitor engagement coordinator, outdoor recreation manager, tourism and recreation planner, marketing and communication specialist, and sustainability coordinator. With experience, graduates may advance into positions such as education director, supervising ranger, visitor bureau director, outdoor recreation business owner or manager, director of recreation operations, or sustainability manager. 

More Information

To learn more about the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Management Concentration, or to change to or declare this concentration, please click here to schedule an individualized face-to-face or virtual meeting with an advisor. 

Effective Fall 2026

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Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).