Savannah is synonymous with nature’s beauty, so it comes as no surprise that sustainability efforts in this stunning coastal Georgia city are just as impressive as its towering oaks dripping with Spanish moss, its springtime azaleas, and the coastal paradise of Tybee Island.
Savannah’s abundant nonprofits organizations, green coalitions, and grassroots efforts have created superb sustainability initiatives, such as Sustainativity, which has funded a variety of exciting projects like the Forsyth Farmer’s Market’s food truck and the Green Tie One On annual fundraiser…the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper which, for more than 20 years, has worked to preserve the river and its watershed…the Savannah Riverkeeper aimed at preserving the Savannah River watershed…and Emergent Savannah, which is dedicated to addressing some of the relevant social topics of today.
You can join the sustainability movement in Savannah and throughout Georgia and lend your expertise and talents to efforts aimed at sustainable development, public policy, alternative energy, and more.
Sustainability Jobs Available in Georgia with the Right Degree
The Georgia Conservancy has been fighting for sustainability solutions since 1967. This statewide organization works with individuals, businesses, organizations, and academia on initiatives and policies aimed at land conservation, coastal protection, and environmental advocacy.
The Atlanta-based Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is also a big name in environmental advocacy that’s committed to protecting and preserving the Chattahoochee River Basin. This organization offers water conservation education and water monitoring and enforces environmental laws.
EarthShare Georgia is hard at work ensuring that the water, air, and land of Georgia is healthy. Just some of the issues addressed by this organization include climate change, water, wildlife protection, and energy. In 2001, EarthShare National partnered with the Environmental Fund for Georgia to become a huge coalition of more than 500 environmental groups doing work on a local, national, and international scale.
Trees Atlanta works to protect Atlanta’s forests and create green spaces. Since its formation in 1985, this nonprofit has planted more than 100,000 trees throughout Atlanta.
According to 2018 BLS statistics, average salaries in sustainability professions tend to be fairly consistent across the board. For example, environmental scientists earn an average salary of $79,700, while biological scientists earn $72,460 and conservation scientists earn $69,390.
Master’s in Sustainability Available Through Schools in Georgia
A master’s program in sustainability is your opportunity to build upon your current knowledge and skills or take your current expertise and apply it to the sustainability field. Fortunately, Georgia is home to a fantastic selection of graduate programs in sustainability that will take your career to the next level.
Agriculture
The University of Georgia’s Department of Crop & Soil Science offers an MS in Crop & Soil Sciences, which comes with your choice of concentration in soil science, weed science, or sustainable agriculture. The university’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication offers a Master of Agriculture and Environmental Education, which prepares professionals to become educators and leaders in the agricultural and environmental sciences industry.
Architecture
The University of Georgia offers a Master of Environmental Planning & Design, your opportunity to learn about new technologies and ideas in the field of sustainable architecture and design. This program is rich in hands-on learning that prepares you to improve the ecosystem health in any number of settings.
Sustainable Development
The MS in Conservation Ecology & Sustainable Development through the University of Georgia is a robust course of study that includes your choice of concentration in conservation ecology, sustainable development, or environmental policy. Students of this program go on to land exciting careers in governmental agencies like the EPA and US Aid, and in nonprofit organizations like the Nature Conservancy.
Business
Georgia Institute of Technology’s MBA in Sustainability is where you’ll gain an advanced level of study in today’s most relevant business topics related to natural resource and environmental concerns and current policies related to sustainability. Just some of the topics of study include business strategies for sustainability, sustainable business consulting, and emerging technologies.
Policy
Georgia Tech also offers the innovative Master of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management, an interdisciplinary course of study that features topics in civil and environmental engineering, economics, city and regional planning, public policy, business, and more.
Technology
Technology-related sustainability programs are readily available in Georgia. Just a few of your options in this area include Georgia Tech’s MS in Environmental Engineering, University of Georgia’s MS in Environmental Engineering, and Mercer University’s MSE in Environmental Engineering.
Sustainability Bachelor Degree Programs in Georgia
Bachelor’s degree programs in sustainability are your opportunity to gain a comprehensive foundation in this broad field. Decatur’s Agnes Scott College offers a bachelor’s in environmental & sustainability studies that features an interdisciplinary course of study that’s complemented with dynamic opportunities for practical learning at places like the National Wildlife Federation and the Georgia Conservancy.
The University of Georgia offers an exceptional variety of undergraduate degrees in sustainability, including agribusiness, agricultural and applied economics, agriscience and environmental systems, environmental resource science, environmental economics and management, and much more.
