Virginia's Natural Resources Systems pathway develops expertise in forest management, wildlife conservation, recreational land stewardship, and sustainable use of Virginia's diverse natural resources. With forests covering 62% of Virginia's land area, this pathway creates pathways into significant employment sectors.
Students study forest ecology, wildlife management, timber production, recreational management, geographic information systems (GIS), and forest technology. They conduct field work in state forests, wildlife management areas, and private timber operations, learning inventory methods and conservation practices.
Graduates work as forest technicians, wildlife managers, land stewards, GIS specialists, or forest resource planners. Virginia's forestry industry and state natural resource agencies offer diverse employment. Advanced students pursue forestry programs at Virginia Tech and William & Mary.
Natural Resources Systems at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's natural resources standards align with state forest management practices and wildlife conservation principles established by the Virginia Department of Forestry and Wildlife Resources. Standards integrate sustainable harvesting, ecosystem protection, and modern resource management technologies.
Students demonstrate competency through field assessments, forest inventory projects, wildlife management planning, and GIS mapping exercises. The state emphasizes partnership with public land management agencies.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Forest Ecology Foundations |
| Forest Management and Inventory |
| Wildlife Management and Conservation |
| GIS and Natural Resource Technology |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓NOCTI Agriculture Mechanics
- ✓NOCTI Agricultural Production
- ✓ServSafe Food Handler
- ✓ServSafe Manager
- ✓Certified Veterinary Assistant
- ✓Certified Horticulture Professional
- ✓Certified Landscape Technician
- ✓OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Forest Technician
Entry LevelSalary range: $36,400 - $45,200
Wildlife Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $49,530 - $83,030
GIS Specialist
ExperiencedSalary range: $59,690 - $121,290
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students work with Virginia Department of Forestry, wildlife management areas, state parks, and private timber companies throughout the state.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in National FFA Organization, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Virginia
Ready to Build Natural Resources Systems Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Natural Resources Systems in Virginia.