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Career and School Info for Foresters

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  School and Career Overview

Degrees and Schools

A lot of college and universities offer degrees in forestry. Many of these programs include field sessions. A forestry bachelor's degree program prepares students to manage and develop forest lands for economic, ecological and recreational purposes. Forestry master's degree programs typically focus on enhancing the students understanding of forest ecosystems' processes. They also provide the skills required for forest land management. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are also available in natural resources management. There are numerous forest-related programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters.

The Society of American Foresters certifies foresters who have at least five years of qualifying professional experience, along with a bachelor's degree or higher from one of its accredited programs (or from a program that is substantially equivalent) and have passed a qualifying examination.

Classes

Some of the subjects students study are shown below:

  • Forest resources measurement and management
  • Biology
  • Forest ecology
  • Public policy
  • Ecological economics
  • Recreation planning
  • Ecology and management of forest soils
  • Natural resources policy/li>

Online Classes and Programs

Due to field sessions, students typically take on-campus forestry programs.

Employment Requirements

Most foresters have at a minimum, a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resource management or a related field. Typically they need to have a graduate degree to be involved in specialized research. Some states have credentialing requirements for foresters.

The major employers are the U.S. Forest Service and state and local forest management agencies. Foresters are also employed by private companies in the logging, timber, wood pulp and paper industries.

How to Evaluate Schools and Programs

The answers to the questions shown below can help students choose a school:

  • Training - Does the program provide field sessions? Does the program include an externship?
  • School's Reputation - Does the school's forestry program have a good reputation with employers of foresters?
  • Job Placement - Does the school provide job placement services? Do employers of foresters recruit students at the school?
  • Curriculum - What type of electives are offered? Can students choose an area of specialization?
  • Financial Aid - What types of financial aid are available? Has the school been approved to provide federal financial aid?
  • Accreditation - Has the school been accredited by an agency which has been approved by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education?

Foresters Job Description

Foresters manage forested areas for recreational, economic and conservation purposes. They develop forest management plans for private and public forested lands. The majority of foresters are involved in protecting and improving forested areas. A forester may also design reforestation projects for areas damaged by fire, industrial usage or pests. They also decide which trees should be harvested.

Forest rangers are employed by government agencies and are foresters who supervise the use of public lands. Service foresters are employed by state agencies and assist farmers and other forest owners manage their land. They also work with owners of lumber mills and wood processing plants to improve their methods.

Shown below are some of their responsibilities:

  • Inventory the type, amount and location of standing timber
  • Appraise the worth of timber, negotiate purchases and create contracts for procurement
  • Decide the best ways to comply with environmental regulations
  • Create plans for planting and growing new trees
  • Monitor contract compliance and results of forest activities to ensure adherence to government regulations
  • Determine the best time to harvest trees
  • Supervise fire and insect control activities
  • Oversee the planting of ground cover to prevent soil erosion

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