Environmental Management for Sustainability

What you will learn

• You will create your personal philosophy for advising policy-makers, business leaders, and other environmental stakeholders on issues related to environmental management and sustainability.
• How to use case-study analyses to develop effective recommendations for best-practice environmental policy.
• How to communicate scientific findings that are accessible and compelling to all target audiences.
• How to develop comprehensive socio-environmental report cards that explain complicated systems in a format geared toward action.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLI), employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
• The BLI also notes that heightened public interest in the hazards facing the environment, as well as increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth, are expected to spur demand for environmental scientists and specialists.
• A recent survey of 1,000 U.S. individuals (ages 18-65+) on how sustainable products and business practices are driving their buying preferences.
• A recent report to the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development highlighted how environmentally sound policy drives job creation in a number of ‘green’ economic sectors.

Program Overview

Environmental stewardship and sustainability are becoming guiding principles for all forward-thinking organizations. The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) has been at the forefront of environmental stewardship for over 90 years and is committed to developing the next generation of scientists, business leaders, policy-makers, natural resource managers, and educators to meet the unprecedented environmental and allied social challenges of the 21st century. This Professional Certificate program will guide anyone with an interest in environmental management to a) obtain literacy in environmental issues, b) use data of different spatial scales to drive decision-making, and c) effectively communicate environmental policy across a broad spectrum of constituencies.

We will explore the evolution of environmental management among pioneering thought-leaders in conservation ecology and will utilize invaluable supplementary reading to understand how their essential texts remain relevant to this day. Further, we will explore how early conservation and environmental movements were shaped by the reality of politics, policy, and science. Finally, we will explore how today’s environmental managers inform effective policy when using a participatory, transdisciplinary approach to socio-environmental management and justice.

Environmental decision-making requires an approach that best matches your skill sets and organizational needs with crucial environmental issues. We will explore case-studies of the management of large, complex systems, investigate how to scale and transfer the lessons-learned from these case studies, and explore strategies for integrating coupled human and natural systems. From these global examples, including Chesapeake Bay, the world’s best studied estuary, you will learn how to develop solutions to your organization’s unique socio-environmental challenges.

Best-practice environmental management goes hand-in-hand with current methods of communicating changes to complex ecosystems in a manner that is accessible to all stakeholders. Today’s complex environmental challenges ranging from climate change and global warming to land use change require clear and compelling science communication. For example, diffuse sources of pollution like atmospheric emissions and subsequent deposition or groundwater contamination are difficult subjects to envision. You will learn from experienced and talented science communicators how to generate compelling graphics and visualizations combined with an effective narrative structure that will serve as springboards for action within any organization.

Socio-environmental report cards are acknowledged as THE effective tool for communicating status and trends of socio-environmental systems and engaging stakeholders. These tools are being used on a global scale to effect positive change at the local level. Report cards releases have become media events that have sweeping community reach from schools to legislatures. This course will walk you through the process of how these incredibly useful tools are created and disseminated.

Courses in this program

Strategic Communication for Sustainability Leaders

Communicating science effectively is a critical skill for anyone involved in environmental policy or sustainability. Learn how to integrate effective visualizations into compelling narratives to clearly explain complex ecosystem processes.

Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards

Socio-environmental report cards have proven to be THE tool to effect positive change. Join us as we explore proven techniques to synthesize data, engage the local community, inform decision-making, and drive policy for any environmental or sustainability challenge.

The Science Advisory Toolbox for Environmental Management

Develop your own science and management strategy while viewing the environment through a multicultural lens. Learn how science advocacy can drive effective environmental and sustainability decision-making.

Innovative Environmental Management Models: Case Studies and Applications

Utilizing extensive case studies of various ecosystems, you will learn how to effectively utilize science-based management to mitigate anthropogenic impacts and ensure resiliency and sustainability in your community.

Job Outlook