High Latitude Range Management
Certificate Program
Help tackle food security challenges in Alaska while preparing for jobs in natural resources management or reindeer business. The certificate in high latitude range management brings together local experts and university faculty to deliver a hands-on learning experience that combines academic and Indigenous knowledge. You’ll learn field-based techniques that agencies use to inventory and monitor plant and animal populations. You’ll also be trained in the ecological concepts of sustained yield and the management of animal populations in the North. Courses are available through online and distance learning.
Who is the High Latitude Range Management Program Designed For?
The rangeland management program is designed for students who have an interest in natural resources or reindeer business. Many of our students are from Native communities that practice and take pride in their traditional culture — where subsistence and sustainability go hand-in-hand. If you have a high school diploma or GED, and an interest in science-related work, the certificate in high latitude range management program might be for you.
How is the high latitude range management program delivered?
The certificate in rangeland management is a part-time three-year program. Including distance-delivered online courses, students participate in two or three intensive nine-day sessions annually. The intensive classes are delivered in a face-to-face, hands-on learning environment that is supportive of individual student needs.
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Why Study High Latitude Range Management at UAF?
Hands-on learning in the rangeland management program
If you enjoy taking your work beyond the classroom and into the field, this is the program for you. In our Meat Production course, you’ll get to butcher, cook and eat reindeer, learning why certain cuts of meat have a different monetary value. In another course, you’ll take samples from the field and get an example of how much forage will sustain a local herd. You’ll also learn about GPS, wilderness first aid, Arctic survival, bear safety, boat safety, snow machine operations and more.
Range Management Jobs
The rangeland management training program prepares you for entry-level jobs in the field of natural resources or to become a reindeer entrepreneur.
The field of natural resources management offers endless possibilities, and the skills and training you gain in this program can be applied in many decision-making positions. Examples include leadership positions in local governments, educational establishments, tribes and Alaska Native corporations. Other range management jobs include:
- Community health expert
- Land use planner
- Field researcher
- Wildlife ecologist
- Forester
Explore Classes in the High Latitude Range Management Program
In the rangeland management training program, you’ll complete 31 credits over the course of three years. You’ll learn about the reindeer industry in Alaska from the 1890’s to the present day. You’ll also gain an introduction to management skills, facilities design and nutritional needs for domesticated ungulates in Alaska.
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Get Started on Your Certificate in Range Management
Take the next step toward earning your range management certificate. We have the resources to help you get started.