High School
Many courses available to high school students can serve as a good preparation for a career as a land acquisition professional. Science courses from biology to ecology will help you understand the technical aspects of environmental concerns and appreciate the lands you'll be working with. Communication courses, such as English and speech, will help you negotiate with landowners, while business and math classes will prepare you for work with contracts and tax documents.
Postsecondary Training
Good negotiating and deal-making skills are more important to an acquisitions professional than any specific schooling or work background. Land trust and preserve work in general draws people from all kinds of career areas, from city planning and land-use consulting to law, business, land management, real estate, law, and environmental science. Real estate backgrounds are especially useful for people wishing to concentrate on the acquisitions side of land trust work.
Certification
Colleges and universities offer certificate programs in land acquisition, real estate acquisition, environmental planning, and related areas. Programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs.
Other Education or Training
The Land Trust Alliance offers continuing education opportunities at Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference (https://alliancerally.org), as well as via webinars and symposia. The Nature Conservancy, Student Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, and other environmental organizations also provides classes, seminars, workshops, and webinars that educate people about wildlife and land conservation, land acquisition and management, and other important environmental issues.
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