International Conservation and Development (ICD) provides graduate students an opportunity to develop an integrated understanding of ecological and social aspects of global environmental change, conservation and management. Students apply that knowledge through international professional field assignments. The ICD curriculum and overseas work experience emphasize the integration of biophysical and social dimensions of resource management, and their application towards ecological sustainability and social justice. Defining features of ICD include:
ICD students and faculty address a wide range of issues around the world. ICD students have worked on protected area management, community conservation, watershed management, non-timber forest products, agroforestry, reduced impact logging and wildlife conservation. Students utilize a variety of approaches and generate diverse products based on their fieldwork, including extension education materials, field guides and peer-reviewed journal articles. At present, 61 students have completed ICD studies, seven are currently on international assignments in South America, Africa and Asia, and 9 are on campus completing their M.S. degrees or preliminary coursework.
The ICD program is well known nationally and program graduates have secured professional employment with international and domestic organizations in both the public and private sectors. ICD graduates are currently working with Conservation International, USAID, the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and with private international conservation and development firms in the US and around the world. Read more updates from ICD alums here.
