Becoming a Forester

Foresters protect and manage forests and woodlands. They plan, care for, harvest, and market wood and materials produced in the forest. Leisure and recreational activities are carefully managed and people are helped to use the forest in a responsible fashion. Conservation of natural assets and the protection of water and wildlife resources are high priorities. Foresters may also carry out scientific research.

The Job:

Foresters manage forests and supervise the planting of new nurseries and woodlands. They monitor the health and growth of the trees and determine the best time for harvesting. Thinning, felling, logging, sawmilling, and tree surgery are supervised; fire breaks, forest roads, and tracks are built, checked, and maintained.

Foresters set aside areas of the forest for purposes such as maintaining habitats for forest plants and animals, creating wilderness areas, or developing recreational activities such as camping. Where appropriate, they liaise with neighboring landowners and organizations.

Foresters try to balance using the economic resources of the forest with limiting the environmental impact on natural resources. Their activities must comply with environmental regulations.

Within forestry, there is a range of different specialist areas of work. "Silviculturists" establish, reproduce, and regulate forests along predetermined lines. Forest or logging engineers design and construct roads, bridges, and dams and select and install equipment for moving logs and pulpwood out of forest areas. The forest ecologist looks at the way in which changes in environmental conditions affect the forest. Specialists in arboriculture are concerned with managing trees to make and keep the environment attractive.

Some forest scientists work in laboratories and greenhouses, and in the forests investigating the physical and biological basis of how trees and forests grow. Many foresters work outdoors in all kinds of weather, sometimes in remote areas. It may also be necessary to walk long distances through dense forest. They may work long hours fighting forest fires.

Training Involved:

A bachelor's degree in forestry or forestry and wood science or a related subject with high forestry content is essential for careers in forestry. Degree courses usually cover forest management, forest biology, forest policy and administration, forest measurement, science, and mathematics. Practical experience may be part of some forestry degrees.

Specialist postgraduate master's courses in forestry may also be available, either as separate courses or as part of an integrated 5-year training program.

Foresters interested in research or teaching should have an advanced degree, preferably a PhD.

Part-time courses may be available leading to qualifications set by professional forestry bodies.

Some states in the U.S.A. have licensing or registration requirements for foresters. These usually require a 4-year forestry degree, a minimum length of training, and the passing of a registration examination.

Useful Qualifications to Have:

Useful subjects include: English, mathematics, botany, biology, geology, physics, and chemistry.

Salary Expectations:

The base salary range of a Forester ranges from $47,727 to $98,532 annually, while the median salary for most Foresters is $71,500 annually. (US Base Pay)

Future Prospects:

Future employment prospects are not very good due to budgetary constraints by the governing bodies. However, more foresters are needed in private forests to increase output and profitability. Forestry work is regional with most jobs in forest or reforestation areas.

Competition for the limited number of vacancies is likely to be keen.

Most foresters and conservation scientists work for national, federal, state, or local government. Some work for private firms, logging and lumber contractors, sawmills, conservation bodies, land agency firms, and private landowners. Forest research and wildlife conservation are small areas of specialization. Some jobs may involve amenity arboriculture - the care of trees and woodland areas in parks.

There are some opportunities for self-employment in consultancy work and for working abroad.

In large state organizations, the job titles, training, and promotion prospects are clear cut. In the private sector, they are less well defined.

For further information, contact a professional body, such as a council or institute of forestry or foresters. Also contact the forest service or commission.