UPCEA NCState Graduate Certificate in Military …...Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) and...

EnvironmentalScan:GraduateCertificateinMilitaryLandSustainability

NorthCarolinaStateUniversity

DraftReport

Submissionby:

CenterforResearchandMarketingStrategy

July2016

GraduateCertificatein NorthCarolinaStateUniversity July2016MilitaryLandSustainability

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I. Objective and Methodology NorthCarolinaStateUniversity(NCState)hasrequestedtheUniversityProfessionalandContinuingEducationAssociation(UPCEA)anditsCenterforResearchandMarketingStrategytoprovideinformationconcerningthecurrentmarketforagraduatecertificateinmilitarylandsustainability.TheUniversitywouldlikegreaterinformationonthepotentialmarketanditssize,thecompetitiveenvironment,andinsightastowhethertodevelopaswellashowtodelivertheprogram.TheUniversityProfessionalandContinuingEducationAssociationanditsCenterforResearchandMarketingStrategyconductedanenvironmentalscanthatincludesareviewofindustrytrends,occupationaldemographicsandacompetitiveanalysis.Inadditiontothesecondaryresearch,12opinionleadersfromboththeprivatesectorandmilitaryrepresentingavarietyoforganizations,includingnon-profitconservationorganizations,civiliangovernmentagencies,theArmyWarCollege,aswellastheU.S.Army,AirForce,andNationalGuard,participatedinin-depthinterviews.


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II. Key Findings

§ Marketandemploymenttrendsaswellaslimiteddirectcompetition,alongwithNCState’sestablishedexpertiseandfavorablelocation,shouldcombinetomostlikelysupportaviablecertificateofferinginanadmittedlynichespecialty.Akeywillbemarketingtotherightaudiencesandinformingprospectsaboutopportunitiesavailableinthisnichefield.

§ Manylandmanagementdepartmentsarebecomingincreasinglyreliantontechnology.Arangeofapplicationsincludingmobiletech,drones,remotesensing,GIS,andRFIDwillcontinuetoexertgrowinginfluenceoverthecomingyears.

§ Socialandpolicytrendsemphasizingbetterandmorecomprehensiveenvironmentalstewardshipareimpactingthearmedforces.Amovetowardsustainablelandmanagementtoprotectproductivityoflandresources,increasedgovernmentregulationonissueslikeendangeredspeciesprotection,andsustainabledevelopmenttrendslikerenewableenergyusageandLEED(LeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign)certificationallhaveimplicationsforthemilitary.

§ Anoccupationalanalysisfoundgenerallysteadygrowthprojectionsforthecomingdecadeacrossarangeofrelevantjobtitles.Nationally,environmentalscientistsandspecialistscurrentlyhavethehighesttotalnumberofpositionsinarelatedfieldandareprojectedtoretainthatstatusthrough2026.Withtheexceptionofenvironmentalengineeringtechnicians,alloftheoccupationsprofiledrequireaminimumofabachelor’sdegreeforentryintothefield.

§ Inthelandsustainabilityfield,justasonthenationallevel,environmentalscientistsandspecialistshavethehighestnumberofjobsin2016inNorthCarolinaandareprojectedtoremainsothrough2026.GrowthprojectionsforseveralrelatedprofessionsoveralltendtobemorepositiveinNorthCarolinathannationwide.

§ Opinionleadersweregenerallypositiveabouttheprogramanditsoveralloutlook.Theylikedtheideaofaconvenient,affordableonlinegraduatecertificateprograminthisdisciplinethatcouldbecompletedrelativelyquickly.Mostparticipantsexpectthatdemandforthistypeofprogramwilleitherincreaseorremainsteady,althoughtherewassomedisagreementoverthemarketsizeandconcernaboutapotentiallynarrowappeal.


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§ Opinionleadersfeltthattheobviousandprimaryaudienceforthisprogramwouldbecivilianenvironmentalconsultantswhopartnerwiththemilitarythroughnon-profitorganizationsanddefensecontractors(notedspecificallyfortheiraccesstofinancialresourcestosupportattendance);however,participantsalsostressedthevalueofconsideringapplicationsfromactivedutymilitarypersonnel.

§ Climatechangeisperhapsthesinglemostsignificant,pervasiveissueaffectingthisfield.Themilitaryisveryfocusedonunderstandingtherangeofpotentialstrategicandtacticalimplicationsofglobalclimatechange.Otherkeyconcernsincludethegrowingroleoftechnology,workingwithinbudgetaryconstraints,andmaintainingsustainablemissionconditionsinnon-traditionalcombatconditions.

§ Communicationisakeyskillthatshouldnotbeoverlooked.Thedisciplinerequiresadefttouchforinternalnavigationofmilitarypoliticsaswellasengagementwithcivilianstakeholders,suchasadjoiningprivatelandownersandothergovernmententities.

§ Overall,opinionleaderswereveryreceptivetothecurriculumcontentpresentedduringtheinterviews.SustainableMilitaryLandManagementandConflictResolutionforNaturalResourceManagerselicitedthemostfavorablereactions,whileWastewaterManagementdrewthemostmixedresponse.Commonlysuggestedadditionswereenvironmentallaw,climatechange,ecosystemmanagement,andmilitarybudgeting.

§ Indiscussingpotentialcompetition,opinionleadersfrequentlymentionedtheTexasA&Moffering,andtheexistingprogramseemstobestronglyassociatedwithitsbrand.ColoradoState'sprogramwasalsowellknownthroughitsCenterforEnvironmentalManagementonMilitaryLands(CEMML).Beyondthosetwoschools,opinionleaderswerenotabletosuggestotherdirectlycomparableofferingsinthemarketplace.

§ Whiletherearecomparablebachelor’sandcertificateprogramsfocusedonsustainabledevelopmentatinstitutionsthroughoutthecountry,researchidentifiedonlytwodirectcompetitors,includingtheprogramatTexasA&M.Theother,offeredbyColoradoState,willbediscontinued.Whilethelackofcompetitionbodeswellforavailablemarketshare,italsospeakstothelimitedappealofthisnicheoffering.


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III. Recommendations § Considerconductingadditionalcurrentandpaststudentresearchtofurtherreduce

riskandimprovedecision-making.

§ StronglyemphasizetheNCStatebrand:ResearchindicatedamuchhigherprofileforTAMUinthecurrentarrangement,soNCStatewillwanttoaggressivelydistinguishitsnew,independentoffering.FeedbackfromopinionleaderssuggeststhattheUniversity’sbrandequitywillbeasourceofstrength,andthelocalmarketinNorthCarolina,wheretheNCStatenameshouldcarryadditionalweight,isveryfavorableintermsofoccupationalforecastsandregionalmilitaryinstallations.

§ FocusonNGOs:Accordingtoopinionleaderinput,non-profitconservation

organizationsthatprovidecivilianconsultingandsupportwillbetheprimarysourceofprospectivestudentsforthisprogram.NCStateshouldfocusrecruitingeffortsonNGOswithrelevantmissions.ConcentrateonnationalorganizationsoperatingwithinNorthCarolinaaswellasrelevantstate-basedgroupsandstateagencies.

§ Considermarketingtodefensecontractors:Whilethenon-profitsectormayclaimthe

largestshareoftheapplicantpool,theprogramshouldalsoapplytotheprivatedefenseindustry,especiallygiventheincreasingstrategicimportanceoflandmanagementtomissionsustainability.Itwasnotedthatthesecompanieswillhavereadyaccesstoresourcestoassistemployeeswithcostofattendance.NCStateshouldexploreoptionstopartnerwithmajorcontractorsandtotrainenvironmentalconsultantsorliaisons.Again,largecorporationsoperatingwithinthestateandanysmallstate/regionalfirmsshouldbetheprimaryfocus.

§ Emphasizeprofessionalmarketability:Thecertificateoffersauniquegrowth

opportunityforthosewithrelevantbaseknowledge/experience.Whilethisisnotthetypeofcredentialthatenhancesoverallprofessionalflexibility,itwilleaseentryintoasubfieldwherequalifiedemployeesaresecureduetotheneedforspecializedknowledgeandalimitedpoolofqualifiedapplicants.Forthoseinsearchofanewchallengeand/orseekingasecureposition,itpresentsachancetodistinguishoneselfandenterthehiringprocesswithamajoradvantage.


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§ Considerapplicationsfromactivedutymilitary:Whilefocusingonthecivilianaudience,

opinionleadersstressedthevalueinalsoreachingouttomilitarypersonnel.Thistrainingmaybeapplicableforcertainofficer-levelpositions;oneintervieweeofferedtheNavy’sCommunityPlanningLiaisonOfficersasanexample.Possiblypositionthecertificateasatransitionalcredential,anoptionforexpandingonmilitaryservicetoworkinarelatedpositionafterdischarge.

§ Reviewcontentsuggestions:Researchparticipantsreactedfavorablytothecurriculum

contentpresented,butalsomadesomesuggestionsaboutadditionaltopicsofvalue(pp.15-16).Technologyandclimatechange,inparticular,emergedasareasofemphasis.NCStateshouldconsiderintegratingtheseintothecurriculuminsomeform.Analternative,giventhelimitedscopeofacertificateprogram,wouldbetooffera“currenttopics”seminar-typecoursethatcouldpotentiallycovertheseoranyotherrelevantemergingsubjects.Additionalinsightcouldbegainedbysurveyingcurrentandpaststudentsoncontentandtopicinterestsandneeds.

§ Relyontargetedadvertising:Giventherepeatedly-emphasizednichenatureofthe

market,reachingtherightaudienceswillbecritical.Usetargetedonlineadvertising(e.g.,Facebook,LinkedIn)andgeotargetadvertising(onlineandtraditional)aroundmilitaryinstallationsandRaleigh;reachouttotradeassociations(seebelow);circulateinformationamongNCStatealumniinrelatedfields(e.g.biology,environmentalscience–cross-checkagainstROTCparticipation).TargetedonlineadvertisingshouldalsohelpcontributetobrandingeffortsdesignedtostrengthenassociationwiththeNCStatename.

§ EngagewiththeNationalMilitaryFishandWildlifeAssociation(NMFWA):Several

opinionleadersmentionedtheprominenceoftheNMFWAwithintheprofessionalcommunityandstressedthepotentialvalueofworkingwiththisorganization.Sponsorshipsareavailable.ThegroupholdsatrainingworkshopattheannualNorthAmericanWildlifeandNaturalResourcesConference,inwhichNCStateshouldhaveapresence,andcouldalsocirculatenewsabouttheofferingamongitsmembership.ItwasevensuggestedthattheUniversitymightexploreapartnershipthatsomehowalignsitsgraduatecertificatewiththegroup’sexistingcertificationprogram.


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IV. Trends in Military Land Sustainability Management

• GrowingTechnologicalNeeds–Landmanagementdepartmentsareseeingagrowingcomplexitytotheirlandunitsasmoreleasesanddataareaddedtotheirlandsystems.Alongwiththis,thedemandingdevelopmentplans,landacquisitionandsaleoperations,andchangingreportingrequirementspresentachallengeformanydepartments.Furthermore,landorganizationsareseeingfastattritionofseasonedprofessionalsandatransitiontotheyounger,lessexperiencedworkforce.Allofthesefactorspresentaneedfortheuseofadvancedtechnologyamonglandmanagementdepartments.ManyareturningtoGeographicInformationSystems(GIS)asatechnologicalmeansofmanagingandtroubleshootingincreasinglycomplicatedlandsystems.GISallowsforaccuratelandmappingintermsofboundaries,layering,andexistinglandfiguresandprovidesanalyticsfortheselandunits.Thesesystemsareusedbothinthepre-acquisitionphaseaswellasthedevelopmentphaseanddriveefficiencybyeliminatingwasteinallphasesofmanagement.1

• DebatesinFederalLandManagement–Thereisanongoingdebateonthefederal

ownershipofwesternlandbroughtintothespotlightbytherecentstandoffattheMalheurNationalWildlifeRefugeinOregon.Ofthetwomainsides,onewantsthefederalownershipoflandinthewesttodecreaseandtheotherwantstomaintainfederalownershipofwesternland.Thefirstsidepointstothe“disastrous”landmanagementbythefederalgovernment,identifyingthedysfunctionofpoliticiansinWashingtonD.C.astheprimaryculprit.2Incontrast,supportersofcontinuedfederalownershipcitethefederalgovernment’scrucialroleinthepreservationofthisland,3aswellasthehistoricalfactthatmanytimesoverthepastcenturyandahalfthefederalgovernmenthasputthislandupforsalewithnobuyers.4

1http://www.pwc.com/us/en/energy-mining/publications/assets/technology-trends-in-land-management-pwc.pdf2http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/01/07/who-should-control-the-west/give-states-control-over-public-land-out-west3http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/01/07/who-should-control-the-west/federal-policies-protect-the-land4http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/01/07/who-should-control-the-west/neither-states-nor-settlers-wanted-ownership-of-much-of-the-land-out-west


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• SustainableLandManagement(SLM)–SLMaimstomanagelandinawaythatmeets

oureconomicneedsasasocietywhilepreservingtheecosystem.Sustainabilityandclimatechangeareincreasinglybecomingconcernsforthepublicandpolicymakersalike.Improperlandmanagementnotonlyhurtstheearth’senvironmentasawhole,butoftenalsodegradestheproductivityandfunctionoftheland,raisingeconomicconcerns.Asignificantportionoftheworld’spreviouslyproductivelandhasbeenstrippedofitsfunctionalitybyimpropermanagement.Furthermore,thedetrimentaleffectsofglobalclimatechangeandnaturaldisastersonlandresourcesareimmenseandunpredictable.Sustainablelandmanagementacknowledgestheseissues,andseekstofindthebalancebetweenproductionandpreservation.5

• Governmentprotections–TheEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)–TheESAisdesignedto

protectandrecoverimperiledspeciesandtheecosystemsonwhichtheydepend.TheESAwasenactedin1973andisstillupheldandadministeredbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandCommerceDepartment’sNationalMarineFisheriesService(NMFS).Asagovernmentagency,themilitaryisrequiredtoprotectthesespeciesinplaceswhereittrainssoldiers,testweapons,andperformotheressentialfunctions.6In2013,theArmyspent$40milliononESAcomplianceactivities.ThoseactionsweretoprotectendangeredspeciesandensuretheArmyoptimizestheconservationofitsnaturalresourceslaidoutinitsplans.

• SustainableDesignandDevelopmentPolicy(SDD)–TheSustainableDesignand

Developmentpolicy(SDD)iscertifiedundertheLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)ratingsystem.Inthefiscalyear2013,therewere360LEEDcertifiedprojects,andsomewithmultiplebuildings.Thispolicyrequiresfacilitiestocomplywithlow-impactdevelopmentandstormwatermanagementrequirements.Bytheendofthefiscal2013,2%oftheArmy’sinventorywasdesignatedashighperformancesustainablebuildings.Throughthisprocess,theArmyprovidesameansforsustainabledevelopmentthatsupportsmissionrequirementsandrespondstochanginglandconstraints.7

5http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTARD/Resources/Sustainable_Land_Management_ebook.pdf6http://www.asaie.army.mil/Public/ES/netzero/docs/FY%2014%20Sustainability%20Report.pdf7http://www.asaie.army.mil/Public/ES/netzero/docs/FY%2014%20Sustainability%20Report.pdf


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V. Opinion Leader Research NCStateGraduateCertificateNeedsandTrends:Opinionleaderscommentedontheknowledgeandskillsthataremostneededinmilitarylandsustainabilityaswellascurrenttrendsthatareimpactingtheprofession.Highlightsfromtheseconversationsinclude:

§ Althoughconservationagenciesplayanactiveandimportantroleinhelpingtomanagethenaturalresourcesonmilitaryproperty,thevariousbranchesthemselvesaretakingamoreactiveroleinextendingthisfunction.Specializedtraininginthisareawillbeapplicableinbothofthesesettings.

§ Someopinionleadersnotedspecificdemandwithinfederallandmanagementcirclesforgreaterspecializedexpertiseinmilitaryapplications,sincetheseinstallationsaremanageddifferentlythanallotherfederalproperty.

§ Althoughthereexistsareadysupplyoftalentwithamoregeneralizedbackgroundin

environmentalscience,biology,andfishandwildlifemanagement,thepoolshrinksconsiderablywhenseekingthosewhopossessboththiscoreknowledgeandexperienceaswellasgreatfamiliaritywiththeuniqueneedsofthemilitary.

“Asyouknow,underFederallawtheDepartmentofDefensehastodogoodthingsforfishandwildlifespecies,andtheydoalotofthingsvery,verywell,butnaturalresourcemanagementisreallynotwithintheirwheelhouse.Sothere’sanongoingneedtomanagenaturalresources,culturalresources,prescribedburnsonmilitarylands.AndwhiletheSikesActdeferstonaturalresourceagenciesaskindofthefirststep,there’slotsofthingsthatarekindofoutsideofourexpertiselevelthatwecalluponacademicinstitutionstohelpuswith.”-ProgramDirector,conservationagency“Ourbiggestmissionistoensurethatthetrainingmissioncancontinueinthefaceofdwindlingbudgets,butalsoincreasedregulatoryissuessuchasendangeredspecies…Wearen’tnecessarilyouttheretosavetheenvironment;we’retheretoensurethatthemissioncancontinueallwhilehavingagoodworkingecosystem.”-NaturalResourcesProgramManager,U.S.FleetForces


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§ Knowledgeandexperienceinthisareacanstillhaveapplicationinthecivilianarena,particularlyintermsofofferingdifferentperspectiveandalternativewaysofapproachingcommonenvironmentalandlandmanagementissues.

§ Themilitaryhasbecomemoreconsciousoftheneedtomitigateenvironmentalimpactresultingfromcombatoperations.Managingthefootprintofoccupyingforcesandminimizingdamagetoenvironmentalconditionsandlocalecosystemsarelegitimateconsiderationsinstrategicthinking.

§ Environmentalstewardshipandresponsiblelandmanagementhavealsobecomeintegratedintotheskillsimpartedtoforeignalliesbythemilitary.Agricultureandwatermanagementcomeinalongsidetraditionalskillsofwarduringtrainingoperations.

§ Budgetaryconstraintsposeapersistentchallengethatextendstotheareasoflandmanagementandsustainability.Althoughthesemattersareaseriouscomponentofstrategicconsiderations,theywillalwaysremainsecondarytocombatreadinessissues.Inthisenvironment,specialistsmustbepreparedtomakethecaseforaccesstoresourcesandbeskilledatmanagingtheresourcesallotted.

§ Anincreasinglyelaborateandcomplexregulatorystructurealsomakesthisworkmorechallengingthaneverbefore.

“Ofcoursemyexpertiseiswildlifebiology,butintermsofjustsustainableengineering,cityplanningandthatsortofthing,Ithinkthatwhilethosethingsdohaveproblemsthatareuniquetomilitarybasestheyarekindoftransferrabletociviliansettingsinmanyways.”-Fish&WildlifeBiologist,U.S.AirForce“There’sawholeworldofthingsoutthererelatedtomilitaryinstallations.They’recitiesontothemselves,theyhavealotofrealestateactionsthattheyparticipatein,theyhavealotofenergydecisionsthattheymakeincludingin-housedevelopmentofenergyresourcesornegotiatingpartnerships.It’sendless.”-EcologicalDivision,ArmyCorpsofEngineers“Iwouldsaycontinueasisbutalotmoretechnologybased.Definitelytheuseofunmannedaerialvehicles,remotesensinginformation,pittagging.Alotmoretechnologybasedasopposedtothehistoricaljustputtingalotofpeopleinthefield.”-ConservationManager,ArmyNationalGuard


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§ Climatechangeisperhapsthesinglemostsignificant,pervasiveissueaffectingthisfield.Themilitaryisveryfocusedonunderstandingtherangeofpotentialstrategicandtacticalimplicationsofglobalclimatechangeandhasdevotedsubstantialinternalresourcestothistask.

§ Awarenessandunderstandingofthetechnology-basedapplicationsfornaturalresourcemanagementisavaluableskillwithinthisfield.Arangeoftechconcernswillcontinuetoexertgrowinginfluenceinthecomingyears(e.g.,mobiletech,drones,remotesensing,GIS,RFID).

§ Exploringgreaterintegrationofrenewableenergysourcesintomilitaryoperationsisanareaofincreasingemphasisthatwillhaveaninfluenceonthisfieldgoingforward.

§ Professionalsservinginthiscapacitymusthaveastronggraspofthedifferentlanduserequirementsofaworkingmilitaryinstallation–trainingmaneuvers,operatingvehicles,testfiringweapons,etc.–andplantomaximizetheavailableresourcestoservetheseneedswhilekeepingwithinregulatoryguidelines.

§ Agraspofmilitarypolitics

“Climatechangeadaptationisgoingtobeareallybignextstep…everyoneisgettinghitinthefacenowwithhowwillclimatechangeaffectthesespecies,themanagementofthefuture,howwilltheycreateresiliencetotheeffectsofclimatechangesothattheyarenothamperedevenmorewiththereductioninspeciespopulationbiodiversity.Howwouldtheyphysicallyprotecttheirinstallations?Sohowdotheycreateresiliencetosealevelriseandstormsurge?Andthewholeclimatechange,forthem,goesbeyondthis.Itgoesintowatersuppliesandagricultureandshortageoffoodandstabilityofnationsandthosekindsofthings.”-AssociateDirector-GovernmentRelations,conservationorganization“Ithinkthere’sbeenageneralmovementtodolesslandtrainingandmoretechtraining.So,Ithinktheoldfencetofencegarrisonsandlandsofthepastareprobablygoingtodecreaseinplaceswhereit’snotstrategictokeepthem.So,overall,IthinktherewillprobablybeareductioninthelandsthattheArmyowns.Butthat’saveryslowprocess,asyoumightimagine.Thatdoesn’treallychangethecomplexityofthelandmanagementproblemsetthatgraduateswouldhavetobeinvolvedin.SoIthinktheskillsetsarestillneededevenifthelanddoesdecreaseintotalvolumeorsize.”-ChiefEnvironmentalQuality,U.S.Army


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andorganizationalcultureisanothercrucialassetforprofessionalsinthisfield.Understandingthepoliticalstructureofthechainofcommandaswellasabaseenvironmentandhowtocommunicateandoperatewithinthemwillcontributegreatlytooverallsuccess.

§ Militarylandmanagementprofessionalsmustalsobeabletofacilitatecommunicationwithpropertyownerswhoseholdingsbordermilitaryinstallations,asintheestablishmentofcompatibleusebuffers.

§ Withadditionalspaceforexpandingbasesizeandtraininggroundsatapremium,maximizingvalueoftheavailablelandatmilitaryinstallationshasbecomeapriority.Goodstewardshipandlandmanagementpracticesarehelpfulinachievingthisgoal.

§ Theneedforsatellitetrainingspaces(athomeandabroad)tobeusedwhenexistingpropertiesareinusewillpresentchallengesintermsofidentifyingpotentiallocationsandsafeguardingthelocalecology;however,thiscanalsoopenthedoortoimprovedstewardshipintheseareasasadditionalfederalresourcesarebroughttobearinmaintainingthem.

“Themilitaryislikeamonarchy.TheCOofyourbaseisalmostkingandwhathesaysgoes.Oftentimesitdefieslogicorscience.IjustthinkifIhadcomeintothejobunderstandingmilitaryculture,thehierarchy,andnothavingservedinthemilitarymyself,itwasasteeplearningcurveformeandallthat.”-EnvironmentalDepartment,NavalFacilitiesEngineeringCommand“IseelargeforestlandownersthatownadjacentpropertiesbeingengagedbytheDODtoensurecompatibleactivitiesinthosesurroundingplaces.Andinaneffortalso,throughtheACUB(ArmyCompatibleUseBuffer)program,whichisaneasementprogram,andotherprograms,totrytopreventlandusechangearoundtheirfenceborderswhichisgoingtoinhibittheirabilitytooperate.So,IthinkthatthechallengeofmanagingthoselandsinsidethefenceisincreasinglycomplexandIseetheDODdoingmoreandmoreproactivelytotrytodealwiththoseissues.Butit’sreallyanuphillclimb,honestly,becauseIdon’tthinkit’sgoingtogetanyeasier.”-ChiefConservationOfficer,conservationorganization


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§ Althoughthelong-termtrendmaybetowardsomereductionsinthetotalamountoflandownedbythemilitary,thiswillbeaslowprocess,andtheincreasingcomplexityofmanagingthematrixofregulatoryandstewardshipconcernswillensurethatthedemandforspecializedknowledgeremainsthesame,orevenincreasesslightlyovertime.

§ Itwasnotedthattherearealimitednumberofbasesandotherinstallationsworldwidewheresustainablelandmanagementisasignificantneed,whichcouldlimitmarketsizeandviabilityforthisprogram.Oneopinionleaderestimatedthenumberatroughly100facilitiesfortheArmy.

§ Theverycontrolledandregulatednatureofmilitaryinstallationslendsitselftoadvancedbiodiversitymanagement.Professionalswiththisexpertisecanhelpthearmedforcesoptimizethepotentialofthesefacilitiestocontributetoimprovedenvironmentalconditionsnationallythroughspeciesprotection.

“WhatI’msayingiswhatIdealtwithhereattheWarCollegewhenIworkedinnationalsecurityissuesbranchwas,‘OK,howcanweleveragetheenvironmentalsecurityatthestrategiclevelwhenwe,astheUS,goinanddooutreach?’Insteadofteachingafriendlyforeigncountryaboutshootingpeopleandbreakingthings,wealsogointhereandshowthemhowtomaximizecropyieldsandthosekindsofthings.Howimportantwateris.”-Professor,ArmyWarCollege“IamnotsureifIspecificallyseeahighdemandforacertificateinmilitarylandsustainabilityperse,butIdoseeademandforcreatingcompatibleusebuffersaroundandnearlandssuchasmilitaryinstallations,wildliferefuges,andnationalparksandforests–theseeffortshavemanysimilaritiesthroughwhichcollaborationmaygleanmanyinsights.”-OpinionLeader(titlewithheld)“Asfaraswhatcanbedoneonthelandscape,Ithinksomeofthatislimitedbywillmorethantechnologicalavailabilities.Willandmeans.TherearespeciesissuesthatcouldbeaddressedandIthinkthereisgoodsciencetoinformwhatneedstobedonebutthemoneyisjustnotmadeavailabletoinstallations.Youhavetobeverystrategicinhowtheyattempttogetfundstodothethingstheyneedtodothatarenotspecificallytargetedwithalineitem.”-EcologicalDivision,ArmyCorpsofEngineers


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ConceptReactions:ParticipantsgavetheirthoughtsandsuggestionsregardingtheNCStatecertificateprogram’smarketsize,audience,andappeal.Keytakeawaysfromthesediscussionsinclude:

§ Participantsweregenerallypositiveabouttheprogramanditsoutlook.Whiletherewassomedisagreementanduncertaintyastothesizeofthemarket,mostopinionleadersagreedthatadditionalacademictrainingtoservethisareawouldbevaluableandwelcome.

§ Opinionleaderslikedtheideaofanonlinegraduatecertificateprogramforthisdiscipline,becausetheformatanddeliverymethodwouldallowworkingprofessionalstoearnthecredentialrelativelyquickly(andatamanageablecost)andbeginapplyingtheirnewknowledgeandskillsintheworkplace.

§ Theinterviewsamplewassplitaboutevenlybetweenthosewhoexpectdemandforthistypeofprogramtogrowinthefuture,thosewhobelieveitwillremainsteadywithoutmuchincrease,andsomewhowereunsure.

§ Factorslikethepoliticalandregulatoryenvironment,increasedfocusontheeffectsof

climatechange,andthevalueoffocusedcertificatetrainingthatcancompletedquicklyandaffordablywereallmentionedasfactorsworkinginfavorofdemandgrowth.

§ Conversely,opinionleaderswhowerehesitantabouttheprogramconceptoftencitedskepticismthatacertificateprogramcouldcoversufficientcontenttobegenuinelyimpactful(versusafulldegree)butadmittedtheirlackoffamiliaritywithsimilarcredentialsthatarecurrentlyavailable.

“YouhaveagoodstoryandIthinkthatyou’vegotfacultythereinmultipledepartmentswhohavehadgreatsuccessworkingwiththemilitary,bothfromresearchthingsandI’msurethereareexamplesthataremoreprivatethatIamunawareof.SoIthinkyou’vegotagreatpotentialgiventheinstallationslocallythatyoucouldtapinto.FortBragg,CampLejeuneandothers.”-EcologicalDivision,ArmyCorpsofEngineers“It’soneofthosethingsthatwillcatchon.ThemorethatyoucreatesomethinglikethisandadvertiseitandgiveitcredibilitythenIthinkyes.”-AssociateDirector-GovernmentRelations,conservationorganization


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§ Baseclosingsandthefutureofmilitarylanduseingeneralrepresentedthemostcommonsourceofuncertaintyaboutpotentialforincreaseddemand.

§ Itwillbeimportanttoidentifywhereinthemilitaryauthoritystructuremostgraduatesofthisprogramwouldbesituated,asitwillimpactcurriculumcontentandpriorities.

§ Thiscredentialwouldbehelpfultoaresumeandtodistinguishinganapplicantduringthehiringprocess.Thecertificatecouldbeusefulforthosewithageneralenvironmentalscienceorbiologybackgroundwhoareseekingnewprofessionalopportunitiesandwishtomakethemselvesmoremarketablewithinanichefield.

§ Opinionleadersfeltthattheobviousandprimaryaudienceforthisprogramwouldbecivilianenvironmentalconsultantswhopartnerwiththemilitary.ItwasnotedthatmanyNGOsperformthesefunctionsandcouldbeafertilerecruitingground;however,defensecontractorswillalsohavesomeinvolvementandpossessampleresourcestoassistwithcostofattendance.

§ Asnotedelsewhere,participantsalsostressedthevalueofconsideringapplicationsforactivedutymilitarypersonnel.Althoughthecivilianaudiencemaybelargerandprimary,thevariousbrancheshavespecificpositionswherethisexpertisecouldbeuseful(oneintervieweeofferedtheNavy’sCommunityPlanningLiaisonOfficersasanexample).

“IwouldalsoliketosaythatIthinkthatthemilitaryitselfcanbenefit,particularlyintheNavy.TheycreatedapositioncalledtheCommunityPlanningLiaisonOfficersandtheyhavealmostrequiredoneofthosepositionsateveryinstallationacrosstheirNavybasesinthecountry.Thatpersondoesthis,period.WhenIstartedtherewerenoneofthesepeople.They’vecreatedthispositionandthesepeopleareresponsibleforlookingoutsidethefencelineand,‘Howdowesustainourmission?’Sotheyworkwiththenaturalresourcespeople,theyworkwiththecivilengineers,theyworkwiththecommunityplanningdepartments,localgovernmentsandmunicipalitiestoensurethatsomebodydoesn’tdosomethingthatisgoingtototallyscrewuptheiroperationsandmission.”-ChiefEnvironmentalQuality,U.S.Army“Bebroadinyourcurriculumapproachbecauseeachbranchofthemilitaryoperatesandviews/valuesnaturalresourcesdifferently.”-OpinionLeader(titlewithheld)


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§ Itwassuggestedthattherearenumerousmanagement/oversightroleswithinthe

DepartmentofDefensewherethistrainingcouldbeapplied,althoughparticipantswererarelyabletodrilldownondetailsaboutthesepositionsduetolackoffamiliarity.TheDepartmentofEnergywasalsoconsideredapotentialsourceofapplication.

§ Opinionleaderswereaskedaboutwhichprofessionswouldbenefitmostfromthistypeofoptimizedgraduatecertificateprogram.Theirresponsesinclude:

- Natural/culturalresourcemanagers- Biologists(plant,wildlife,fishery,land)- Environmentalscientists/Ecologists- Interdisciplinarynaturalscientists- Civiliancontractorsandnon-profitconsultants- Cityplanners- Outdoorrecreationspecialists- Stateregulatoryagents(e.g.,militaryliaison)- Strategicandoperationalleadership- Civilaffairspersonnel- Communityplanningofficers- Militarylanduseplanners

“It’sprobablynotdecreasingbutIdon’tknowaboutincreasingalot.It’sgoingtobetiedtothenumberofbodiesthatneedtousethatknowledgeandastheeconomyfluctuatesfrombadtoworseorgoodtobetterweseetheamountofprojectmoneychangingfordoingprojectsonthegroundandinthefield.Butrelativelysmallchangesinthepopulationofemployeesdoingthiskindofwork.”-EnvironmentalDepartment,NavalFacilitiesEngineeringCommand“Idothinkit’sagoodideaandIthinkit’sneeded.Itwouldbenicetohaveapoolofcandidateswhenwearehiringforthesepositionsthathavethisbackground.Typically,ittakesawhileforsomebodytobeatrainedbiologist,beembeddedintoasanaturalresourcemanageronanAirForcebaseandbeabletobeeffective.Ithinkhavingthiskindofcertificateandthistrainingbeforehand,Ithinktheywouldbeabletohitthegroundrunningmuch,muchmorequicklythanthewaythatwe’vebeendoingit.”-ProgramDirector,conservationagency


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ProgramContent:Opinionleaderswereaskedfortheiropinionsontheimportanceandrelevanceofninepotentialtopicsassociatedwithmilitarylandsustainability(11ofthe12opinionleadersparticipatedinthissectionoftheresearch).Theirresponsesarevisualizedbelow.Thechartshowsthedegreeofimportance/needassignedtoeachtopicasacurriculumcomponent.Thefulllistoftopicspresentedduringtheinterviewscanbefoundabovethechart.SustainablemilitarylandmanagementConflictresolutionfornaturalresourcemanagersField-basedinstructionwithmilitaryinstallationsitevisitsNaturalresourcespolicyForestrymanagementWastewatermanagementThreatenedandendangeredwildlifespeciesandinstallationsBuildingworkingrelationshipsandcommunicatingforagreement

Communicationwiththemediaandpublicspeaking

LandM

anage

ment

ConflictResolution

Field-based

Instruction

NaturalR

esourcesPolicy

ForestryManage

ment

WastewaterManage

ment

EndangeredSpecies

BuildingRelationships

Comm

unications

1)-Professor,ArmyWarCollege n/a

2)-AssociateDirector-GovernmentRelations,conservationorganization n/a

3)-ProgramDirector,conservationagency

4)-NaturalResourcesProgramManager,U.S.FleetForces

5)-ChiefEnvironmentalQuality,U.S.Army

6)-Fish&WildlifeBiologist,U.S.AirForce

7)-EnvironmentalDepartment,NavalFacilitiesEngineeringCommand

8)-EcologicalDivision,ArmyCorpsofEngineers

9)-ConservationManager,ArmyNationalGuard

10)-OpinionLeader(titlewithheld) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

11)-ChiefConservationOfficer,conservationorganization n/a

12)-Chief-TrainingandSimulationsDivision,U.S.Army n/a

-HighImportance

-ModerateImportance

-LowImportance/NotNeeded

n/a -Don'tKnow/NoResponse


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§ Overall,opinionleaderswereveryreceptivetothecurriculumcontentpresentedduring

theinterviews.Onlytwotopicsreceivedlowerimportanceratingsmoretimesthanbeingassignedthehighestrating.

§ Asmightbeexpected,SustainableMilitaryLandManagementwasrecognizedasthecriticalcorecomponentofcertificatecurriculum;itwastheonlytopicconsideredtobeofthehighestimportancebyall11opinionleaderswhoparticipatedinthisportionoftheresearch.

§ ConflictResolutionforNaturalResourceManagerswasalsoconsideredtobeacritical

topic,garneringaHighImportancerankingfromallbutoneofthe11participatingopinionleaders,whostillfeltitwasofModerateImportance.BuildingWorkingRelationshipsandCommunicatingforAgreementalsorankedamongthemostwell-receivedtopics(nineHighImportance,twoModerate),andseveralparticipantssuggestedthesetwoareascouldbecombined.

§ RoundingoutthemostvaluedtopicswereThreatenedandEndangeredWildlifeSpeciesandInstallations,whichalsoreceivedninerankingsofHighImportanceandtwomoreofModerateImportance,aswellasNaturalResourcePolicy(eightHigh,threeModerate).Itwasnotedthatthepolicyareaisverybroadandwouldneedtobefocusedinordertohavethegreatestvalueforacertificateprogram.

§ WastewaterManagementwasviewedastheleastcriticalsubjectareaforthemajorityofparticipants.Threeassigneditthelowestimportanceratingandthreemoredeclinedtoofferaratingbecauseofalackoffamiliaritybasedontheirjobresponsibilities.

§ CommunicationwiththeMediaandPublicSpeakingalsodrewmixedreactions,earningfourHighandfourModerateratingstogoalongwiththreeLowImportancerankings.Inseveralcases,opinionleadersnotedthatpeopleinthesepositionsarepermittedlittletonocontactwiththepress,sothepublicspeakingcomponentwasviewedasmorevaluablethancommunicatingwiththemedia.Itwasagainsuggestedthatareacouldbefoldedintoabroader,communications-focusedcourseortopicarea.


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§ Opinionleaderswereaskedtoconsiderthemostimportanteducationaltopicsand

issuesrelatedtomilitarylandsustainabilityandsuggestsubjectmatterorcoursetopicsthatcouldbeincludedintheprogramcontent.Responsesinclude:- Establishingandmaintainingasuitablefootprintfortroopsinthefield- Watermanagement- Climatechange- Ecosystemmanagement- Wildlandfiremanagement- Bird/wildlifeaircraftstrikehazard(BASH)- Managinghuman/wildlifeconflict(e.g.,BASH,pestmanagement)- Safeguardingculturalresources- Workingwithgovernmententities(otheragencies,stateandlocal

government)- Proactivecollaborationwithadjoiningpropertyowners- Keepingupwithenvironmentallawandpolicydevelopments- Militarybudgeting- Understandingmilitaryhierarchyandculture

§ Themostcommonlyciteditemwasafocusonenvironmentallaw/policy.Otherpopulartopicswereclimatechange,ecosystemmanagement,andaprimeronmilitaryeconomics/budgeting.

“Ifyoutakealookatpastconflicts,we’vebeenableto,alongwithallies,beenabletosustainourtroopsinthefieldbecausewehadsomuchsupplylogistics,andsoonandsoforth.AndI’mnotsurethatwe’regoingtobeabletoorhavetodothatanymore.Sobeingabletosupport,forwhatevertimeperiodthatourtroopsareinthefield,isgoingtobeanissue.Allthewatertheyneedandthosekindsofthings.”-Professor,ArmyWarCollege“Thisiskindofnebulous,butdefinitelytryingtointegratenaturalresourcesmanagementwiththeeverydaystructureandfunctionofaworkingmilitarybase.BecausebaseshavesomeofthebiggestrangesandtheymanageformoreT&E(threatenedandendangered)speciesthananyotherlandownerintheUnitedStates,tryingtointegratethatwithjusttheeverydaygoingsonofabase.”-Fish&WildlifeBiologist,U.S.AirForce


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PerceivedCompetition:Intervieweeswereaskedaboutcolleges,universitiesorprogramsthatcametomindwhendiscussingmilitarylandsustainabilityprograms.Keylearningsfromthissectionoftheinterviewsinclude:

§ TheexistingprogramappearstobestronglyassociatedwiththeTexasA&Mbrand.ItwasnamedmuchmorefrequentlythanNCStateinreferencetothecurrentoffering.

§ Opinionleaderswereveryawareofthetwocomparableprogramsthatalsocameupthroughcompetitivescanning–ColoradoStateandTexasA&M.CSUwasparticularlywellknownforitsCenterforEnvironmentalManagementonMilitaryLands(CEMML).Halfoftheparticipantsmentionedit,althoughnonereferencedthependingreductionstotheprogram.

§ Beyondthosetwoschools,opinionleaderswerenotabletosuggestotherdirectly

comparableofferingsinthemarketplace.Itwasnotedthatthisnichespecialtyisservedbyveryfewproviders.OneopinionleaderbelievedthatGeorgeMasonUniversitymighthaveasomewhatsimilarprogram,butareviewoftheschool’ssustainabilityprogramdidnotidentifyone.

§ Otherschoolsthatwerenoted,basedonopinionleaders’experience,ashavingextensiveandfavorableworkingrelationshipswiththemilitarywereCollegeofWilliamandMary,NCState,PennStateUniversity,UniversityofOklahoma,UniversityofWyoming.

§ ItwasnotedthattheNationalMilitaryFishandWildlifeAssociationoffersaninformalcertificationinmilitarylandmanagementandevensuggestedthatNCStatemightfindsomealignmentwiththisprogram.

“ActuallyTheCenterforEnvironmentalManagementonMilitaryLands,CEMML,ishousedoutoftheHornerCollegeofExcellenceatColoradoStateUniversity(CSU).Soweworkwiththemalot.CEMMLdoesalotofournon-traditionalprogramsthroughCSU.Forexample,aprojectthatnooneelsewouldtouch,islookingatassessmentofvulnerabilityforlawenforcement.That’snotsomethingthatyoucouldthrowtojustanybodybutCEMMLwaswillingtotakeonthatprojectwhichisprettyunique.”-ProgramDirector,conservationagency


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VI. Occupational Analysis TheoccupationshighlightedinthissectionhavebeenselectedbecauseofthepotentialinterestprofessionalsinthesefieldscouldhaveintheNCStatecertificateprogram.Thelistofoccupationsdetailedbelowisnotexhaustive,butratheritisbelievedtobearepresentativesampleofprofessionalswhocouldhaveinterestintheprogram.Oftheselectedoccupations,environmentalscientistsandspecialistscurrentlyhavethehighesttotalnumberofjobsnationwidein2016andareprojectedtoretainthatstatusthrough2026.Withtheexceptionofforestandconservationtechniciansandenvironmentalengineeringtechnicians,alloftheoccupationsprofiledrequireaminimumofabachelor’sdegreeforentryintothefield.

Table1:TopNationalOccupationswithPotentialInterest8

Occupation Jobs Change AnnualSalary

EntrylevelEducation2016 2026 # %

EnvironmentalScientistsandSpecialists,IncludingHealth 94,933 108,662 13,729 14% $68,027 Bachelor'sdegree

BiologicalTechnicians 76,045 83,460 7,415 10% $42,613 Bachelor'sdegreeEnvironmentalEngineers 56,115 65,463 9,348 17% $83,668 Bachelor'sdegreeNaturalSciencesManagers 55,870 60,262 4,392 8% $126,508 Bachelor'sdegreeGeoscientists,ExceptHydrologistsandGeographers 35,464 41,344 5,880 17% $97,414 Bachelor'sdegree

BiologicalScientists,AllOther 34,623 36,062 1,439 4% $75,446 Bachelor'sdegreeForestandConservationTechnicians 32,546 32,349 -197 -1% $35,067 Associate'sdegreeLandscapeArchitects 24,284 25,673 1,389 6% $61,053 Bachelor'sdegreeConservationScientists 21,186 22,953 1,767 8% $62,488 Bachelor'sdegreeZoologistsandWildlifeBiologists 20,217 21,684 1,467 7% $59,651 Bachelor'sdegreeEnvironmentalEngineeringTechnicians 18,547 21,543 2,996 16% $49,535 Associate'sdegree

SoilandPlantScientists 16,879 18,693 1,814 11% $59,734 Bachelor'sdegreeForesters 10,083 10,883 800 8% $59,299 Bachelor'sdegreeFishandGameWardens 6,386 6,607 221 3% $53,070 Bachelor'sdegree

8DatafromEMSI2016.2


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Justasonthenationallevel,environmentalscientistsandspecialistshavethehighestnumberofjobsin2016inNorthCarolinaandareprojectedtoremainsothrough2026.Naturalsciencesmanagersoverwhelminglyhavethehighestsalary,morethandoublemostoftheotheroccupationshighlighted.

Table2:TopNorthCarolinaOccupationswithPotentialInterest

OccupationJobs Change Annual

SalaryEntrylevelEducation

2016 2026 # %EnvironmentalScientistsandSpecialists,IncludingHealth 4,243 4,807 564 13% $55,146 Bachelor'sdegree

NaturalSciencesManagers 2,343 2,607 264 11% $130,902 Bachelor'sdegreeBiologicalTechnicians 1,747 2,071 324 19% $40,010 Bachelor'sdegreeEnvironmentalEngineers 1,435 1,726 291 20% $74,245 Bachelor'sdegreeSoilandPlantScientists 991 1,090 99 10% $58,371 Bachelor'sdegreeBiologicalScientists,AllOther 852 951 99 12% $71,407 Bachelor'sdegreeGeoscientists,ExceptHydrologistsandGeographers

717 846 129 18% $66,322 Bachelor'sdegree

LandscapeArchitects 618 677 59 10% $59,339 Bachelor'sdegreeForestandConservationTechnicians 524 543 19 4% $37,693 Associate'sdegreeConservationScientists 470 523 53 11% $57,884 Bachelor'sdegreeZoologistsandWildlifeBiologists 426 478 52 12% $50,079 Bachelor'sdegreeEnvironmentalEngineeringTechnicians 420 519 99 24% $46,010 Associate'sdegree

Foresters 355 388 33 9% $57,922 Bachelor'sdegreeFishandGameWardens 283 293 10 4% $37,388 Bachelor'sdegree


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VII. Competitive Analysis NCState’sgraduatecertificateinmilitarylandsustainabilityisanextremelyspecializedprogram.Onlytwoprogramsinthecountrywerefoundtohavethesamelevelofspecificfocus:TexasA&MandColoradoStateUniversity.TheprogramatColoradoStateisexpectedtoretireinthecomingyearsaccordingtotheuniversity’swebsite.

Table3:SpecificProgramsinMilitaryLandSustainability

ThoughnotasspecificastheNCStateprogram,thereareothersimilarsustainablelandmanagementprogramsofferednationwide.Forreferencepurposes,thiscompetitiveprofilecontainsarepresentativecross-sectionofcomparableundergraduateandgraduatecertificateprogramsaswellasoneundergraduateprogramfromacrossthecountry,mostofwhichareofferedonline.

Table4:SimilarProgramstoMilitaryLandSustainability

Institution Program Credits DeliveryTuition

In-State Out-of-State

HarvardUniversityGraduateCertificateinNaturalResourceManagementandSustainableEcosystems

Certificate

4Courses

OnCampusandOnline $10,200

UniversityofWyoming

B.A.inProfessionalLandManagementConcentration 128 OnCampus $15,872 $63,488

UniversityofFlorida GraduateCertificateinSustainableLandResourceandNutrientManagement 12 Online $6,780

UniversityofConnecticut

GraduateCertificateinSustainableEnvironmentalPlanningandManagement 12 Online $5,262 $16,033

AmericanPublicUniversity

UndergraduateCertificateinPublicLandsManagementCertificate 18 Online $4,860

GraduateCertificateinEnvironmentalSustainability 18 Online $6,300

UniversityofSouthernMaine GraduateCertificateinSustainableDevelopment 12 OnCampus $4,560 $12,312

9Programisbeingretired,clarificationincludedinprogramsummary

Institution Program Credits DeliveryTuition

In-State Out-of-State

ColoradoStateUniversity9

CertificateofCompletioninSustainableMilitaryLands

Management9 Online $2,396

TexasA&M GraduateCertificateinMilitaryLandSustainability 14 Online $3,268 $8,826.00


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CompetitiveProgramAnalysis10DirectCompetitionColoradoStateUniversity–CertificateofCompletioninSustainableMilitaryLandsManagement–Thisprogramwillenhancethecertificateholder’sknowledgeofmilitarylandmanagementandunderstandingofculturalandecologicalsignificance.TheprogramisonlypartiallyretiringasacertificateissuedbyCSUOnline.Thecoursesrequiredforthiscertificationarestillbeingofferedandwillappearonatranscriptbutthecertificatewillnotbe.TheprogramexistsbutthecertificateisyettoberecognizedontheUniversitylevel.TexasA&M–GraduateCertificateinMilitaryLandSustainability–Thisisawebbasedprogramthateducatesstudentsontherelationshipsbetweenecology,economics,policyandculturethatinfluencemilitarylands.Itiscomprisedofthreeintegratedareasoflandmanagement,policyanalysisanddevelopment,andculturalcompetenciesandconflictmanagement.SimilarCompetitionHarvardUniversity–GraduateCertificateinNaturalResourceManagementandSustainableEcosystems–Thisprogramisn’tdesignedtoaccommodatemilitaryapplicationbutitsharesmanyofthesharedgoalsoftheoriginalNCStateprogram.Commonalitiesincludeeducationinfisheries,wildlifemanagement,andenvironmentalanalysis.Thiscertificaterequiresfourcourses,twoinnaturalresourcemanagementknowledge,andtwoinnaturalresourcemanagementscience.Thereareovertwentycoursesfromwhichtochoosetocompletethecertificate.UniversityofWyoming–B.A.inProfessionalLandManagementConcentration–ThisprogramisaccreditedbytheAmericanAssociationofProfessionalLandmen.Thisdegreedoesn’tdirectlyinvolvemilitarycontractsbutstillcouldbeofuseduetoitseducationinvolvingenergy,geology,andregulatorypolicy.Thosefacetsofthisdegreeareinalignmentofthegoalsoftheoriginalprogramsemphasisonecosystemsandenvironmentalresources.UniversityofFlorida–GraduateCertificateinSustainableLandResourceandNutrientManagement–Thisdegreeisn’tintendedformilitaryapplication,butsharescommonthemeswiththeoriginalprogramfromNCStatesuchasenvironmentalsoil,waterandlanduse;sustainableagricultural;andurbanlandmanagement.Theskillsdevelopedthroughthisprogramalsohavesimilarapplicationsinsustainableagroecosystems,wetlandandwaterresourcemanagement.Thisprogram’selectivesincludeenvironmentalnutrientmanagement,environmentalsoilphysics,andenvironmentalpedology.Adefiningfeatureofthiscertification10Allinformationgatheredisfromeachinstitution’srespectivewebsite


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isitsdegreerequirementsforabachelor’sinsoilandwatersciencesoringeology,naturalsciences,biology,ecology,hydrology,microbiology,environmentalscience,horticulturalscience,environmentalengineering,agriculturalengineeringoragronomy.UniversityofConnecticut–GraduateCertificateinSustainableEnvironmentalPlanningandManagement–Thisprogramteachesstudentstoidentifytheoperationsandchangestoanecosystem,applygeospatialskillsinaplanningcontext,analyzeenvironmentalmanagementplans,prepareenvironmentalplans,andevaluateenvironmentalmanagementplansforsustainableoutcomes.Thein-depthknowledgeofenvironmentalmanagementplansissimilartothatofecosystemssciencesandenvironmentalresourceswithwhichtheNCStateprogramisdeveloped.Thesimilaritiesbetweentheprogram’senvironmentalstudiesisimportantenoughtowarrantitsprogramaspartofthecompetitiveanalysis.AmericanPublicUniversity–UndergraduateCertificateinPublicLandsManagement–Thiscertificateexploresoriginsofnationalparks,forests,andrefugesandstudiesthetoolsandtechniquesusedbylandmanagerstoprovideservicestothepublic.Definingeducationalfeaturesofthisprogramincludecoursetopicsinfishandwildlifestudies,publiclandmanagement,strategiesandlaws,andlanduseplanningmethodsandtechniques.ThatinformationcanbeappliedinsimilaraspectstothatoftheoriginalNCStateprogram.GraduateCertificateinEnvironmentalSustainability–Thiscertificatefocusesonseveraltopicssuchassustainability,policies,economics,andglobalresourceallocation.Thecurriculumrequirescoursetopicsthatinvolveenvironmentaleconomics;environmentalpolicies,regulations,andlaws;energypolicy;sustainability;anddecisionmaking.TheinformationfromthesetopicsissimilartothosetopicsdiscussedinNCState’sprogramthatrequiresenvironmentalresourceknowledge,andecosystemsciences.UniversityofSouthernMaine–GraduateCertificateinSustainableDevelopment–Thisprogramgivesindividualsafirmunderstandingoflanduse,environmentalplanning,economicdevelopment,andplanningforregionalandcommunitysustainability.Coursesincludesustainabledevelopment,environmentallawandpolicy,andglobalplanningissues.Thosecoursesandtheirapplicationcanbeeasilyintegratedintolandmanagement.

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