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FACTOIDS:
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• Conservation scientists and foresters held about 39,000 jobs in 1998, and nearly 30 percent worked for the federal government.
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• Most US foresters work in the western and southeastern states, where many forests and parks and most of the lumber and pulpwood-producing forests are located.
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• According to the US Forest Service, 209 million visits were made to America's 32 national forests in 2000.
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- Foresters oversee forested lands and natural resources while taking into account environmental regulations, wildlife habitat conservation, and the integrity of soil and bodies of water.
- Foresters who work for state and federal governments manage public forests and parks; they may also design campgrounds and recreation areas.
- Others work with private industries to help companies procure timber. They are responsible for overseeing the entire timber-removal process, including assessing the amount of timber on a various plot of land and its worth, negotiating a purchasing contract with the landowner and working with subcontractors on tree removal.
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- Foresters should have an understanding of domestic animal and wildlife behavior as well as knowledge of plants, animals, and living organisms and how they function.
- A working knowledge of forestry-related policy issues and state, federal, and local environmental law is also required.
- In addition to meeting the demands of forestry and conservation research and analysis, foresters should enjoy working outdoors, be physically hardy, and have good communications skills.
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- A bachelor’s degree in forestry, range management or a related field is usually the minimum educational requirement. Recommended courses include biology, chemistry, mathematics, education, English and administration.
- A combination of experience and appropriate education occasionally may substitute for a four-year forestry degree for employment with the federal government, but job competition makes this difficult.
- Individuals wishing to teach or specialize in a particular area, such as soil conservation, should pursue an advanced degree, preferably a PhD.
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- Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations in the next several years.
- Many job openings will be in state and local governments due to a continuing emphasis on environmental protection and responsible land management.
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Sources: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics; US Forest Service
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