The forest lands of the United States-whether publicly or privately owned-must be carefully and efficiently managed if they are to survive. It is the work of the professional forester to develop, manage, and protect forest lands and their resources of timber, water, wildlife, forage, and recreation areas. If properly protected and managed, these resources can be utilized repeatedly without being destroyed.
Foresters often specialize in one type of work such as timber management, outdoor recreation, or forest economics. In these capacities, they might plan and supervise the planting and cutting of trees or devote themselves to watershed management, wildlife protection, disease and insect control, fire prevention, or the development and supervision of recreation areas.
About one-fourth of all foresters work for private industries such as pulp and paper, lumber, logging, and milling companies. The federal government employs about half of all foresters, most of them in the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture. Others do research, teach at the college and university level, or work as consultants. State and local governments also employ foresters.
Related jobs are environmentalist, soil scientist, and soil conservationist.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Foresters are employed in just about every state, but the largest numbers are employed in the heavily forested areas of the Northwest, Northeast, and South.
Foresters, especially beginners, spend a great deal of time outdoors in all kinds of weather and often at remote locations. During emergencies such as fires and rescue missions, they may work long hours under difficult and dangerous conditions.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Anyone interested in forestry as a career should be physically hardy, enjoy working outdoors, and be willing to work in remote areas.
A bachelor's degree with a major in forestry is the minimum requirement, but employers prefer to hire applicants with advanced degrees. About 50 colleges offer degrees in forestry, most of them accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Scientific and technical forestry subjects, liberal arts, and communication skills are emphasized along with courses in forest economics and business administration. All schools encourage work experience in forestry or conservation, and many of the colleges require at least one summer at a college-operated field camp.
Potential and Advancement
Employment opportunities are expected to grow slowly due to the government's budget restrictions-the government is a major employer of foresters. The job outlook, however, is better than in the past because of an expected wave in retirements and recent declines in the number of graduates in forestry. Job opportunities will probably be greatest with private industry to improve forest, logging, and range management practices and to increase output and profitability.
Advancement in this field depends on experience with federally employed foresters able to advance through supervisory positions to regional forest supervisors or to top administrative positions. In private industry, experienced foresters may advance to top managerial positions within a company.
Income
Starting salaries for federally employed foresters vary: those having a master's degree or equivalent experience receive a decent salary. Salaries in state and local governments and in private industry are generally lower.
Additional sources of information
- American Forests, 734 15th Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC, 20005 Phone: 202-737-1944
- Society of American Foresters, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2198
- USDA Forest Service, Mailstop: 1111, 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20250-1111
