UMAINE • April 7, 2026
The UMaine Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Conservation Biology, one of the oldest programs of its kind in the country with origins dating to the 1930s, prepares students to manage fish and wildlife resources while supporting Maine’s outdoor economy and natural heritage. “Our mission is to advance fish and wildlife management and promote the conservation of biodiversity,” said Erik J. Blomberg, professor and chair of the department. “We’re preparing students to think critically and apply science to real-world problems.” At UMaine, that preparation is built around experiential learning. More than half of courses in the wildlife ecology major include outdoor labs and fieldwork, and a required immersive field course in Downeast Maine is commonly cited by students as their most important college experience.