A professional association is an organization made up of members who are part of the same industry or career field. Professional organizations vary in their membership requirements. Some associations may require members to hold a particular degree or pay a monthly or yearly fee to be part of the organization. Others allow members who are still in school or developing their career.
Each association varies in the activities and benefits it offers. Some of these include networking opportunities, job boards, conferences, and trainings or certifications.
Below are a few professional associations across a variety of environmental fields:
American Wind Energy Association
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Association of Watershed & Stormwater Professionals
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
National Association for Interpretation
National Marine Educators Association
National Parks and Recreation Association
North American Association of Environmental Education
Society for Conservation Biology
Society for Ecological Restoration