Conservation Scientists

What Does a Conservation Scientists Do?

Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
• 2Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
• 3Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
• 4Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.
• 5Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.
• 6Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.
• 7Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.
• 8Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.

Required Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Writing
• Science
• Critical Thinking
• Adobe Acrobat
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Autodesk Maya
• Clover Technology GALENA
• CroPMan
• CropSyst Suite
• Datasurge GEOPRO
• Delft GeoSystems MStab
• Email software
• ESRI ArcGIS software

Conservation Scientists Salary