Natural Areas Management Certificate

A career saving the planet

Bring your passion for the outdoors to a career that improves the local environment and helps save the planet. Learn your craft in a woody plant collection that spans over five acres and two large greenhouses. Few colleges in the region have anything like it.

A Natural Areas Management Certificate takes 12 months to complete. Gain the skills local employers value in natural areas management:

plant identification and monitoring
landscape assessment
land management practices, such as invasive species control and prescribed burning

What can you do with a Natural Areas Management Certificate in Horticulture?

Practice land restoration using the scientific principles of restoration ecology and conservation biology. Your employer may be an organization such as the Lake County Forest Preserves District or the state park system.

You will work with the following types of regional ecosystems:

prairie
savanna
woodland
wetland

Jobs you might have:

natural areas management technician
natural areas management supervisor
park ranger

One certificate may be enough for you to begin working in horticulture. However, each certificate is focused on a single area of expertise. Stack two complementary certificates together for a more well-rounded skill set. Individual certificates require 18-20 credits. Dual certificates require less than twice that (only 27-30 credits total) because of common courses.
Consider these combinations:
- Natural Areas Management + Arboriculture
- Natural Areas Management + Landscape Maintenance
- Design + Landscape Maintenance
- Landscape Maintenance + Arboriculture
- Horticulture Production + Sustainable Agriculture

Highlights

Stackable Credentials

Earn college credits and learn as you go with stackable credentials.
Financial Aid / Scholarship Opportunities

Explore ways to pay for college (based on need/achievement).
Career Certificate

Gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills by earning a certificate in less than 1 year.
Program Length: 1 Year

Finish in 1 year as a full-time student.

*Estimated cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours for full-time students for academic year 2025-2026. This includes in-district tuition and comprehensive fees, before financial aid, including grants, loans, and scholarships, is applied. Actual cost may vary to include additional fees, materials, and other cost of attendance factors such as living expenses, transportation, etc. Explore many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Career Outlook

Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $32,061
  
  Median
  
  $47,813
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $72,418
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $15.41
  
  Median
  
  $22.98
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $34.81
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  35.31%
  
  Certificate
  
  4.57%
  
  Some college
  
  10.42%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  34.89%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  14.82%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $24,534
  
  Median
  
  $48,780
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $139,613
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $11.79
  
  Median
  
  $23.44
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $67.11
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  47.06%
  
  Certificate
  
  1.87%
  
  Some college
  
  6.5%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  1.77%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  22.55%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  20.25%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $47,492
  
  Median
  
  $77,810
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $121,610
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $22.83
  
  Median
  
  $37.40
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $58.46
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Certificate
  
  1.13%
  
  Some college
  
  0.81%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  13.3%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  83.96%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  0.81%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $34,919
  
  Median
  
  $68,734
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $115,713
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.79
  
  Median
  
  $33.04
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $55.63
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  10.9%
  
  Certificate
  
  1.35%
  
  Some college
  
  2.11%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  25.66%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  49.75%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  10.24%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $34,919
  
  Median
  
  $68,734
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $115,713
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.79
  
  Median
  
  $33.04
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $55.63
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Associate Degree
  
  9.73%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  81.13%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  9.15%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options and degree requirements, see the college catalog.

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Icon Key

Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
CLC 120	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.	2
BIO 120	BIO 120 Environmental Biology Class Description This course focuses on the relationships between humans and the environment. Topics include ecology, population biology, modification of our environment, resource use, land use planning, pollution, and energy. The goal is to better understand the biological and social problems that human use and misuse of the environment cause. Students may not receive credit for both BIO 120 and BIO 140. NOTE: Required, local field trips are scheduled during several (approximate1/2) of the lab periods. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites. This course is recommended for non-science majors needing a one-semester lab science course.	4
HRT 125	HRT 125 Tree and Shrub Identification Class Description This course covers the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs by their common and botanic names. Emphasis is placed on trees and shrubs commonly used in the landscape and their key characteristics. Field study will compliment lectures.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CLC 120
Course Title	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
Credits	2

Course Highlights
Course Code	BIO 120
Course Title	BIO 120 Environmental Biology Class Description This course focuses on the relationships between humans and the environment. Topics include ecology, population biology, modification of our environment, resource use, land use planning, pollution, and energy. The goal is to better understand the biological and social problems that human use and misuse of the environment cause. Students may not receive credit for both BIO 120 and BIO 140. NOTE: Required, local field trips are scheduled during several (approximate1/2) of the lab periods. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites. This course is recommended for non-science majors needing a one-semester lab science course.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 125
Course Title	HRT 125 Tree and Shrub Identification Class Description This course covers the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs by their common and botanic names. Emphasis is placed on trees and shrubs commonly used in the landscape and their key characteristics. Field study will compliment lectures.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
BIO 126	BIO 126 Local Flora Class Description Introduces lab and field identification of plants of northeastern Illinois. Students use taxonomic keys and make useful collections of plants from various habitats. Note: Field trips during scheduled class time are an essential part of this course and are, therefore, required. The cost of travel to the site of the field work will be borne by the student.	2
HRT 162	HRT 162 Sustainable Landscape Management Class Description This course is focused on foundational landscape maintenance practices with the additional dimension of sustainability. Content includes planting, soil care/preparation, pruning, general turf care, and pest identification and control. It explores how all these practices are adapting around sustainable standards, and also covers new approaches such as greenroof systems, living walls, gray water catchment systems, rain gardens, bioswales, water quality treatment with plants, phytoremediation (plants) and mycoremediation (fungi) techniques for treating contaminated soils to create more sustainable landscapes and green infrastructure. Students will gain an understanding of how these approaches work, what is involved to design and build them, how to assess construction materials and costs, and operation of basic maintenance equipment. NOTE: Up to three labs will require field trips off campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites.	3
HRT 225	HRT 225 Green Business & Entrepreneurship Class Description This course addresses the fundamental business skills needed to run or manage a horticulture-related business or small farm enterprise. Topics including types of business ownership, wholesale production and retail businesses, hiring and managing seasonal employees, product distribution and sales channels, marketing and creating value-added products. Various farm-to-market models such as CSAs vs. wholesale distribution will be reviewed.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	BIO 126
Course Title	BIO 126 Local Flora Class Description Introduces lab and field identification of plants of northeastern Illinois. Students use taxonomic keys and make useful collections of plants from various habitats. Note: Field trips during scheduled class time are an essential part of this course and are, therefore, required. The cost of travel to the site of the field work will be borne by the student.
Credits	2

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 162
Course Title	HRT 162 Sustainable Landscape Management Class Description This course is focused on foundational landscape maintenance practices with the additional dimension of sustainability. Content includes planting, soil care/preparation, pruning, general turf care, and pest identification and control. It explores how all these practices are adapting around sustainable standards, and also covers new approaches such as greenroof systems, living walls, gray water catchment systems, rain gardens, bioswales, water quality treatment with plants, phytoremediation (plants) and mycoremediation (fungi) techniques for treating contaminated soils to create more sustainable landscapes and green infrastructure. Students will gain an understanding of how these approaches work, what is involved to design and build them, how to assess construction materials and costs, and operation of basic maintenance equipment. NOTE: Up to three labs will require field trips off campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 225
Course Title	HRT 225 Green Business & Entrepreneurship Class Description This course addresses the fundamental business skills needed to run or manage a horticulture-related business or small farm enterprise. Topics including types of business ownership, wholesale production and retail businesses, hiring and managing seasonal employees, product distribution and sales channels, marketing and creating value-added products. Various farm-to-market models such as CSAs vs. wholesale distribution will be reviewed.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
HRT 286	HRT 286 Natural Areas Management Class Description This course provides an overview of natural areas restoration and management issues for the Midwest region. Major plant communities for this region such as wetland, prairie, savanna and woodland will be addressed in terms of their ecology, key identifying features, management issues and restoration techniques. Field trips will expose students to all phases of restoration work, from initial construction to high-quality natural area. Field trips also will provide an opportunity for hands-on practice of various management techniques and learning about local restoration projects.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 286
Course Title	HRT 286 Natural Areas Management Class Description This course provides an overview of natural areas restoration and management issues for the Midwest region. Major plant communities for this region such as wetland, prairie, savanna and woodland will be addressed in terms of their ecology, key identifying features, management issues and restoration techniques. Field trips will expose students to all phases of restoration work, from initial construction to high-quality natural area. Field trips also will provide an opportunity for hands-on practice of various management techniques and learning about local restoration projects.
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

20

Horticulture at CLC

Get the bigger picture

A natural areas management certificate is just one possible way to study horticulture. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Horticulture Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

You learn scientific concepts and gain hands-on experience in most courses. These include lab sessions where you will gain hands-on experience with different landscape maintenance techniques.
The horticulture department offers unique opportunities to learn and refine your skills. In particular, you could be a part of:
- on-campus ecological restoration
- arboretum redesign
- woody plant propagation
These programs are conducted in collaboration with renowned organizations.
Our students come from varied backgrounds including recently graduated high school students, non-traditional students who are retraining for new careers, students who work for family businesses and those who are taking classes for personal enrichment.
Here's what others have found:
- Flexibility to explore a range of skills
- A broadening of the work you might take up
- An understanding of the relationships between different horticulture courses - they're all connected!

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A career saving the planet

What can you do with a Natural Areas Management Certificate in Horticulture?

Do more with stackable certificates

Highlights

Stackable Credentials

Financial Aid / Scholarship Opportunities

Career Certificate

Program Length: 1 Year

Career Outlook

Forest and Conservation Technicians

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Forest and Conservation Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Foresters

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Park Naturalists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Range Managers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help getting started?

Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 9 Credits

Semester 2 8 Credits

Semester 3 3 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Horticulture at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

How will I learn in this program?

How is my learning experience going to be different compared to other colleges?

Are there students like me in the program?

What’s the best thing about studying horticulture at CLC?

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Be debt-free at CLC

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