If you’re a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher, you know the importance of implementing industry certifications into your program. But when two certifications seem similar, it can be difficult to know which is best to implement for your students.
As a dedicated host of industry certifications, educators often ask about the differences between the Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management certification and NRCS Fundamentals of Conservation & Sustainability in Agriculture certification.
In this article, you’ll explore some of the most common questions educators ask when comparing the two resources:
- What is the purpose of each certification?
- How are the exams structured?
- How much does each certification cost?
- What prep materials are available?
- Which certification is right for me?
After, you’ll have all the information you need to be able to decide which certification best fits your learners’ needs.
1. What Is the Purpose of Each Certification?
The Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management Certification
The Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management Certification verifies individuals have the necessary knowledge and skills in the areas of ecological principles and wildlife management, as well as habitat, forest, grasslands, wetlands, and waterfowl conservation and management.
Designed with students in grades 9-12 in mind, educators can easily implement the certification for students interested in wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation. Additionally, the Ducks Unlimited Certification can be used to train employees and members of the workforce.
Earners are more qualified and prepared to pursue a meaningful career in wildlife conservation management.
The NRCS Fundamentals of Conservation & Sustainability in Agriculture Certification
The NRCS Fundamentals of Conservation & Sustainability in Agriculture Certification was created in collaboration by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Texas Corn Producers. This credential verifies individuals have obtained exceptional knowledge and skills in the areas of conservation and sustainability of various natural resources including soil, water, plants, animals, and air.
Also designed for grades 9-12, students interested in environmental sciences or natural resources could benefit from the certification and gain a foundation for furthering their education or pursuing a career in the conservation workforce. Additionally, those currently in the workforce or looking to make a career change to conservation can also distinguish themselves by earning the certification.
2. How Are the Exams Structured?
Both of the certification exams are hosted on the iCEV Testing Platform and consist of 100 questions that evaluate an individual's knowledge and skills. However, each certification tests learners on a different set of specific criteria.
Below, we’ll consider the breakdown of each certification exam.
Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management Certification Exam Structure
The Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management certification assess several weighted industry standards including:
- Ecological Principles - 20%
- Species Identification - 10%
- Wildlife Conservation & Management - 30%
- Habitat Conservation & Management - 40%
With these weighted industry standards in mind, the certification mainly focuses on wildlife and habitat conservation and management so you will most likely want to spend the majority of your prep time focusing on those two industry standards. However, it is always a good idea to still implement ecological principles and species identification to ensure your learners are fully prepared.
NRCS Fundamentals of Conservation & Sustainability in Agriculture Certification Exam Structure
The NRCS Fundamentals of Conservation & Sustainability in Agriculture certification tests for the following weighted industry-recognized standards:
- Soil - 25%
- Water - 25%
- Plants - 20%
- Animals - 20%
- Air - 10%
Because these industry standard weights are all different, it is best to spend more time discussing the higher-weighted industry standards at length to ensure your students are best prepared for their exams. But, it is always important to spend time covering all industry standards so your student are not only fully prepared for success on the certification exam but also have a foundational base of knowledge to continue to build upon as they continue in their education or career.
3. How Much Does Each Certification Cost?
Since each certification is hosted on the iCEV Testing Platform, the pricing of each certification is the same.
With iCEV, you can purchase a certification voucher for each student that not only grants you access to the certification exam but also includes preparation material. Each certification voucher costs $40 per student.
4. What Certification Prep Materials Are Available?
Since the Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management certification and the NRCS Fundamentals of Conservation & Sustainability in Agriculture certification are both hosted on the iCEV Testing Platform, you will gain access to similar prep materials.
The preparation materials consist of a playlist, which includes a combination of video and PowerPoint lessons created in collaboration with industry partners to teach and reinforce the industry standards tested for by each agricultural science certification.
You also gain access to media-rich presentations featuring real-world demonstrations as well as student handouts, vocabulary exercises, project-based learning activities, and assessments.
Which Certification is Right for Me?
Each certification provides valuable information and prepares earners for lifelong success in thriving industries. However, deciding which certification best suits the needs of your learners is dependent on a few key factors.
While the Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management certification focuses mainly on wildlife and habitat conservation and management and the NRCS Fundamentals of Conservation & Sustainability focuses on sustaining and conserving our natural resources, determining which is best for you comes down to the goals of your program, student goals, and the needs of your community.
Still unsure which certification is best for your classroom? Put yourself in your learners’ shoes and earn a free certification to best understand the differences between the two certifications to help you make the best choice.
