UNR programs address outdoor industry employment

In partnership with the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, the University of Nevada, Reno has developed two programs to address the increasing demand for skilled professionals in outdoor recreation.

The new programs include a specialization in Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management and a minor in Outdoor Adventure and Leadership.

The Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management specialization is part of the Bachelor of Science in environmental science, developed in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, while the ODAL minor is housed in the kinesiology department within the School of Public Health.

Both programs will support the outdoor recreation field, part of a trillion-dollar industry according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The Nevada Shared Stewardship Group has contributed to the development of the new programs. The Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management program in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources emphasizes sustainability and stewardship of our natural resources.

This program combines existing courses in environmental science and business with four new courses to prepare students for careers in Nevada’s outdoor-based tourism industry. The four courses are interdisciplinary and include introduction to sustainable outdoor recreation management, environmental interpretation and communication, sustainable outdoor recreation marketing and profit centers, and sustainable recreation use of public lands.

This program will provide students with the training necessary to advance into operations and management positions both within the private outdoor recreation sector and with government agencies involved in the planning and oversight of outdoor recreation on public lands.

Students may enroll in the program beginning in the fall and can earn a business administration minor while completing their environmental science degree with the new specialization.

The outdoor adventure and leadership minor in the kinesiology department in the School of Public Health will offer students a curriculum in outdoor leadership, recreation, and stewardship that positions graduates for careers in the growing outdoor adventure tourism industry.

Courses like Introduction to outdoor skills, extended field expedition, and leadership practicum employ place-based experiential learning that integrates lectures, field experiences, and leadership opportunities in the Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and Lake Tahoe Region.

Graduates of the ODAL program will inspire and lead in the growing field of outdoor adventure, contributing to healthier communities and a deeper appreciation for our natural world in fields like outdoor education and interpretation, guiding and outfitting, safety and search and rescue, and resource protection and stewardship.

For information, visit www.unr.edu.