USU's forestry degree is the only one in Utah that is nationally accredited with the Society of American Foresters, and USU is the only university in the state with a college devoted to the study of natural resources. Forest ecosystems supply water, maintain climate, help purify the air, protect soils, provide recreational experiences, and serve as habitat for wildlife. Foresters develop, use, and communicate their knowledge to sustain and enhance these forest resources for diverse benefits now and in the future. Foresters also oversee the use of timber, recreation, and water, and by doing so strive to ensure biological diversity. In the program, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage public or private forests.The program focuses on providing future foresters with the broadest possible understanding of the biological, physical, economic, political, and social aspects of forestry. This multidisciplinary degree consists of courses in biology, math, chemistry, statistics, forest ecology, inventory, water quality, wildlife habitat, tree species, and geographic information systems.