Also called: Land Trust Executive Director, Conservation Program Director
Leads a conservation organization that buys and protects land, restores habitats, or advocates for wildlife.
You negotiate to protect a 10,000-acre ranch from development, pitch donors, testify at the statehouse, and manage scientists and staff. Big wins can protect places forever.
Small land trusts pay modestly; national groups pay much more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's plus often a master's in environmental management or nonprofit leadership, and many years of experience.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Environmental Studies, Ecology, Nonprofit Management, Public Policy.
Growing about average.
Low risk for 10 years. AI drafts grants and reports; fundraising, partnerships and leading staff stay human.
Classes: English, Biology, Speech.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-9151.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.