Ecological Restoration
Undergraduate Certificate
Allendale • Face to face • 15-19 Credits
Ecological restoration is the study of conservation and stewardship of terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems to the benefit of the plants, animals, and humans that rely on them.
Overview
Grand Valley's Ecological Restoration Undergraduate Certificate focuses on the conservation and stewardship of terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to assist in the recovery and management of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. The certificate is designed to benefit plants, animals, and humans who rely on these ecosystems, providing a comprehensive understanding of ecological restoration principles and practices.
Students in this program will study a variety of topics, including:
- Wildlife habitat management.
- Soil and water conservation.
- Wildland fire management.
- Conservation biology.
- Watershed and wetland management.
- Outdoor recreation.
- Forestry.
- Environmental pollution and remediation.
- Fisheries and aquatic sciences.
The curriculum is aligned with the Society for Ecological Restoration's Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner-in-Training (CERPIT) certification, ensuring that students receive education that meets industry standards and prepares them for professional certification.
The program provides hands-on learning experiences through internships and fieldwork, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Additionally, the growing demand for professionals in ecological restoration, coupled with the program's strong industry connections, makes Grand Valley an excellent choice for those looking to pursue a career in this field. The program's alignment with CERPIT certification further enhances graduates' employability and readiness to contribute to ecological restoration efforts at various levels.
Admission Information
For new students, visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements. Upon acceptance and for current students:
- Declare your certificate via myBanner (Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate certificate from the drop-down list, and click Submit)
- Departmental approval is required. If denied, an email will be sent to your GVSU student email.
- Speak with the appropriate certificate coordinator to ensure criteria are being met (you will be able to track your progress toward the certificate in myPath as well!)
- Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the certificate via myBanner.
- Once the completion of your certificate has been verified, the certificate will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript.
Biology Department
gvsu.edu/biology
2200n
Kindschi Hall of Science
(616) 331-3097
Career Opportunities
Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.
Top skills- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 44,415.44 | 10% |
| $ 58,522.97 | 25% |
| $ 76,689.63 | 50% |
| $ 97,635.60 | 75% |
| $131,367.03 | 90% |
Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.
Top skills- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 67,479.89 | 10% |
| $105,227.19 | 25% |
| $170,794.69 | 50% |
| $294,647.88 | 75% |
| $443,738.24 | 90% |
Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
Top skills- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 49,969.93 | 10% |
| $ 60,943.02 | 25% |
| $ 76,684.68 | 50% |
| $ 96,560.35 | 75% |
| $108,792.32 | 90% |
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Top skills- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 46,874.30 | 10% |
| $ 58,754.91 | 25% |
| $ 76,385.14 | 50% |
| $ 89,579.86 | 75% |
| $103,033.41 | 90% |
A "Best Bang for Your Buck"
By Washington Monthly
117K
GVSU Alumni in Michigan
"One of the Top Public Universities in America"
- Niche.com
Scholarships
Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based
scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are
available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.
Grand Valley offers myScholarships
(a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match
with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities.
myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you
to scholarships for which you might qualify.
Alignment With CERPIT Certification
The curriculum is directly aligned with the Society for Ecological Restoration’s Certified Ecological Restoration PractitionerinTraining (CERPIT) requirements. This means:
-
Coursework maps onto a recognized global professional standard
-
Graduates are prepared to apply for CERPIT immediately
-
Employers can trust the certificate as evidence of real restoration competency
This external alignment is one of the strongest differentiators of the program.
Embedded Within The Natural Resources & Environmental Management Program
The certificate is housed in the Biology Department and integrated with the NREM program, giving students access to:
-
Faculty with restoration expertise
-
Fieldbased courses
-
Applied ecological science training
This embedded structure ensures scientific rigor and strong advising support.
Request Information