Conservation with Forestry

Conservation with forestry addresses one of the most pressing practical challenges of our time: how to protect and manage natural habitats and tree-covered landscapes in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and competing demands on land. Forestry is the science and management of trees, woods and forests, encompassing their ecology, growth, health, timber production and the wide range of services they provide, from carbon storage and water regulation to recreation and biodiversity. Conservation broadens that focus to include the management of habitats, species and ecological processes more generally, drawing on ecology, environmental science and policy to inform practice.

At Bangor University you will follow a three-year full-time programme in the heart of north Wales, a region with extensive forest and upland habitats that gives you direct access to the landscapes you are studying. The programme includes a foundation year option for students who need an additional preparatory stage, as well as a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, providing substantial professional experience in conservation and forestry environments before you graduate. You will develop skills in ecological field survey, species identification, GIS and mapping, forest management planning, and environmental impact assessment, alongside the theoretical knowledge of ecology, tree biology, land management and policy that underpins professional practice.

Graduates of conservation with forestry work in forestry and woodland management, nature conservation agencies such as Natural Resources Wales, Forestry England and Scottish Forestry, environmental charities and NGOs, national parks, local authorities, environmental consultancies, and rewilding and restoration projects. Roles include forest manager, conservation officer, ecological consultant, countryside ranger, and environmental project manager. Postgraduate study in ecology, conservation biology, forestry, or environmental management is an option for those wishing to specialise further or pursue research careers.

The combination of practical field skills and ecological understanding makes graduates well suited to the growing field of nature-based solutions to climate change.