With over 640 million acres of land in the United States owned by the federal government, and significant holdings by both state and local governments, public lands are a venue ripe for opportunity and conflict.
This certificate examines critical and emerging issues on public lands and natural resources management across the U.S. Following an overview of the structure of public lands management, including federal land management designations, agencies and major laws and policies relevant to public lands management, the certificate transitions into issue-based discussions of challenges facing public lands management as well as potential opportunities for resolution. The certificate also explores the role of federal, state, tribal, and local government, business, non-governmental organizations, and the general public in the environmental policy process.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Subject Courses (Asynchronous) | ||
| OREC 5004 | Environmental Justice and Stewardship | 2 |
| OREC 5005 | Issues in Public Lands | 2 |
| OREC 5006 | Issues in Natural Resources Management | 2 |
| OREC 5017 | Environmental Movements, Alliances, and Legal Change | 2 |
| Project Course (Synchronous) | ||
| OREC 5007 | Public Lands and Natural Resources Policy Project | 2 |
| Students must complete the four subject courses before enrolling in the project course. | ||
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the program, students will be able to:
- Understand contemporary issues in public lands and natural resources management.
- Understand the policy and statutory context in which debates regarding public lands policy are situated.
- Understand stakeholder dynamics and coalition building with regards to public lands and natural resources management.