Love animals? Worried about climate change? Curious how people around the world are protecting nature—and how you could be part of it? This course is your launchpad into the world of conservation through the lens of sustainability solutions. You’ll dive into real stories of endangered species, national parks and protected areas, Indigenous and inspired conservation leadership, and unexpected solutions using science, policy and law, technology, storytelling, and activism. Along the way, you’ll learn about nature’s ingenuity, meet changemakers, explore how your own values shape the environment, and discover surprising career paths that connect your interests—whether you’re into wildlife, tech, law, health, or just helping others. If you’re passionate about making a difference for the future of our planet, this course is your gateway to action. No hiking boots required (yet!)—just your curiosity and a willingness to explore how people and nature are connected in everything we do. Throughout the course, you will examine how sustainability concepts and practices in biodiversity conservation shape decisions in the past, present, and future.

• Ecological and Earth systems foundations that underpin and feedback to conservation and sustainability in a rapidly changing world, including ecological principles, biodiversity, ecosystem function, and resilience.
• Historical and contemporary drivers of biodiversity challenges, including habitat degradation and loss, climate change, pollution, overexploitation, disease and non-native species, and the social forces that drive these threats. Students will analyze how historical choices continue to shape contemporary sustainability and conservation challenges and influence integrated human–environment wellbeing.
• Conservation approaches and nature-based solutions across diverse contexts such as protected areas, private lands, urban environments, and community-managed ecosystems. Students will evaluate sustainability trade-offs in conservation strategies and examine how science, technology, policy and law, governance, natural capital valuation, and economic incentives lead to long-term socio-ecological outcomes.
• Models of community-based conservation and communication for sustainability focused on diverse knowledge systems, co-management, and place-based stewardship. Students will examine how cultural knowledge and Indigenous governance can support sustainability through biodiversity conservation. Students will also analyze how communication, education, and advocacy shape conservation outcomes and sustainability practices.
• Emerging conservation issues involving technology, wellbeing, and social-ecological resilience such as rewilding, de-extinction, technological innovation, climate adaptation, and nature-positive development. Students will consider how technological and societal innovations shape future conservation pathways. Students will explore wellbeing, adventure, and belonging in nature, and how these elements contribute to sustainable human–nature relationships.
• Professional skills, leadership, and career pathways relevant to conservation and sustainability careers including stakeholder engagement, systems and futures thinking, emotional intelligence, and project planning. Students will apply these skills to articulate sustainability approaches to contemporary conservation challenges. Students will identify how conservation careers across sectors can contribute to biodiversity solutions and integrated human–environment wellbeing.

This course appears on your transcript identically to how it appears on the transcript of an enrolled ASU student who has taken the course on one of ASU’s campuses. Course attendance dates will be listed on your transcript. An on-demand course will appear on your transcript in the session you complete the course.

This course satisfies 3 credit hours toward the SUST: Sustainability General Studies requirement for Arizona State University. It is strongly encouraged that you consult with your institution of choice to determine how these credits will be applied to their degree requirements prior to transferring your credit.

To be successful in this course, we recommend English language fluency and computer literacy. We also encourage you to make sure your laptop or desktop computer meets the technical requirements.