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A forester, to state it simply, is a person who is responsible for managing forested lands. The management they perform can be done for economic, recreational, or conservation purposes. Foresters make it possible to use forested lands for lots of things including extraction of wood and other raw materials, recreation, hunting, and conservation. A very large percentage of foresters work for government agencies but there are also quite a few who work for private industry. Those working in private industry are often involved in managing company forest land (to maintain a supply of wood for company mills) or in procuring timber from private landowners. The latter function is done by Procurement Foresters, who negotiate purchases with local forest owners and subcontract with loggers or pulpwood cutters for tree removal. Foresters must always be fully cognizant of Federal, State, and local environmental specifications. They need to consider not only the economic but also the environmental impacts of management and purchasing. To do this, they need to determine how best to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability and how best to comply with environmental regulations.
Forester Responsibilities
Foresters engage in a broad range of activities and are responsible for performing a wide variety of functions. One important process managed by foresters is regeneration, which entails the planting and growing of new trees. As part of supervising this process, foresters make use of controlled methods of burning, bulldozing, or using herbicides to clear weeds, brush, and logging debris. After involvement in the careful planning of tree planting, including type, number, and placement of trees to be planted, foresters then monitor seedlings to ensure healthy growth and to determine the best time for harvesting. At the first sign of disease or harmful insects, foresters consult with pest management specialists to decide on the best course of treatment.
Foresters use a number of tools to perform their work. In order to map large forest areas and to detect widespread trends of forest and land use, foresters use photogrammetry and remote sensing, which involve the use of aerial photographs and other imagery taken from airplanes and satellites. For measurements of tree height, foresters use devices called clinometers. They also use diameter tapes to measure tree diameter and increment borers or bark gauges to measure tree growth so that timber volumes can be computed and growth rates estimated. Computers are extensively used by foresters to store, retrieve, and/or analyze information required to manage forested lands and their resources.
A partial list of some of the other duties foresters often perform might include the following:
A typical forester splits his/her time between indoor work (in offices or labs) and outdoor work, although some foresters work exclusively indoors and others (especially those who are new or less experienced) spend the bulk of their time outdoors overseeing or participating in hands-on work. Certain aspects of the work can be physically challenging. Outdoor work often takes place in adverse weather, and sometimes in isolated areas. Foresters are also called upon at times to walk long distances through densely wooded land or to work long hours fighting fires. They are often exposed to hazards such as insects, poison oak, and smoke.
Because they deal regularly with landowners, government officials, special interest groups, and the public in general, good foresters must have strong communications skills and must be able to work well with people. Not surprisingly, they need to enjoy working outdoors. They also need to be physically fit and able to tolerate not only extensive walking but other types of physical exertion as well. In order to maintain employment, it is important that a person in this profession be willing to relocate if necessary to where the jobs are.
Employment Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (USDL BLS) anticipates job growth in this field, although the growth will progress more slowly than that of the average occupation through the upcoming decade. Factors which will likely impede job growth include budgetary constraints in the Federal Government (the largest employer of foresters) and an increasing trend by Federal land management agencies to emphasize wildfire suppression and law enforcement over timber programs. Budgetary restrictions are also expected to impact future employment at the state government level.
The Federal Government, like governments at all levels, is to an increasing extent contracting out forester functions previously done in-house to companies that specialize in providing them. The trend also applies to businesses, which are increasingly contracting out forestry services to private consulting firms. Consequently, the best opportunities for foresters in the near future are expected to be in consulting. Another forester activity expected to grow in importance in future years is fire prevention and suppression, which will be increasingly needed as the human population spreads into previously uninhabited lands. In general, foresters involved with timber harvesting are expected to find best opportunities for work in the Southeast, where a great deal of forested land is privately owned. Job prospects for foresters are also expected to be very strong in the West due to the opening of public lands to commercial activity.
Forester Education, Certification, and Licensing
In practical terms, a bachelor's degree in forestry is the minimum educational requirement for professional careers in forestry even though there may still be a handful of jobs with lesser requirements. Those who aspire to specialized research or teaching positions should plan on earning a graduate degree. Many colleges and universities offer degrees in forestry and there are dozens of programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters. In addition to coursework, many of these programs include a field session either in a camp operated by the college or in a cooperative work-study program with a government agency or private firm. Students in these programs are strongly encouraged to take summer jobs that provide experience in forestry work.
At the present time, sixteen states have some type of credentialing requirement for foresters. Seven of them require state licensure and the rest require either mandatory or voluntary registration. Requirements vary by state, but in general, both licensing and registration require completion of a 4-year degree in forestry and a period of forestry work experience. In addition, licensure usually requires candidates to take and pass a comprehensive written exam.
Many foresters pursue certification as a means of professional advancement. The Society of American Foresters certifies foresters who have at least a bachelor's degree from one of its accredited programs (or from a forestry program that is substantially equivalent); five years of qualifying professional experience; and who are able to pass a qualifying examination.
Resources for Foresters
Major Employers of Foresters
More than half of all foresters work in the public sector. They are employed at all levels of government: Federal, State, and local. Those who work for the Federal Government are concentrated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. Other major employers include logging companies, sawmills, and wood products manufacturers. A relatively small number of foresters are self-employed, and they generally work as consultants or procurement foresters. Although foresters can be found in every state, employment of foresters tends to be concentrated in the West and Southeast, as this is where many national and private forests and parks are located.
The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Foresters by major metro area.
The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Foresters, along with salary data by industry.
The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.
We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Foresters. These pages include maps focused on the particular state, among other details.
Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.
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