In the early days of agriculture, small acreage farms were abundant, and young people of that era were exposed to many tasks such as operating tractors, mechanical repairs and an overall understanding of land management and natural resources. Those skills and knowledge attained on the small farms had a direct correlation to practical wildlife management. But as technology and the agriculture industry evolved, small farms were gradually replaced by larger farms that required fewer people to operate. Over time, this has led to a knowledge gap, and a significant shortage of land management professionals with practical hands-on experience. An overall decline in consistent quality habitat for wildlife has been the result. To address this problem, SCWA has restructured our wildlife management training program, and it's known today as theGary Dietrich Wildlife Apprenticeship Program.

The Gary Dietrich Wildlife Management Apprenticeship Program is a two-year graduate program aimed at enhancing habitat management in the Southeast. Apprentices receive training at our Wildlife Education Center, which spans 1,342.33 acres and includes various types of wildlife habitat.

Candidates who have completed a 2-year or 4-year degree can participate in hands-on training in wildlife, fisheries, and natural resource management skills. With a well-designed curriculum, experienced instructors, and support from industry and landowner partners, we prepare apprentices with the training and on-the-job experience necessary to excel in wildlife management on both public and private lands. This program is an excellent starting point for your career. Through SCWA and our partners, we have successfully helped all our apprentices secure desired wildlife-related jobs.