What is Forestry?   |   What are the Educational Requirements?   |   Careers and Salary Outlook   |   Related Areas of Study

Forestry is the applied science of managing forests and their surrounding areas for human and environmental benefit. We depend on forests for many things, including wood products, wildlife habitat, recreation, maintaining water quality, and for their aesthetic value. The goal of forestry professionals is to balance the many uses of forests in such a way that all parties can use and enjoy them, now and in the future.

Foresters draw upon diverse fields in their work. They must use their knowledge of tree and soil sciences, watershed and range management, wildlife ecology, and recreation science when making management decisions. Some foresters are responsible for managing forest growth by planting, monitoring, and harvesting or thinning trees and other plants. Today, clearing “underbrush” from forests is a priority for foresters, because it is believed that this is one way to prevent catastrophic wildfires. Some forestry professionals work for private companies, helping them to make profitable and responsible decisions with their forested land. Other fields where foresters can work include academics, policy-making, and research.

WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS?

Forestry is a multidisciplinary field, often combining a liberal arts core with biological, and applied sciences, such as biology, chemistry, geophysics, meteorology, soil science, and economics, all of which influence the growth of forests and the use of them and their many products. Related fields, sometimes found within Forestry Departments or seperately, include Forest Resources, Forest Products and Wood Science. Specific courses we've seen include:

• Forest Ecology and Management
• Forest Measurements
• Silviculture
• Wildlife Habitat Management
• Botany
• Statistics

  Great Resources on Forestry U.S. Forest Service Society of American Foresters Association of Consulting Foresters of America The Forest Shop - Forestry and Outdoor Books

• Political Science
• Renewable Natural Resources
• Nature and American Values
• Outdoor Recreation Management
• Timber Procurement
• Integrated Forest Management
• Tree Pest Management
• Forest Soils
• Forest Products Marketing
• Management Strategies

CAREERS AND SALARY OUTLOOK

Foresters work in a variety of environments and for many kinds of organizations, including responsibility for managment of public lands for state and federal agencies or management of woodlands for pulp and timber operations. Specific job titles we've seen include:

Career Guidance in Forestry There's more to forestry than putting out fires - 30-year veteran Terry Clark speaks out about the industry, his career, and the importance of education in the field. >>> To land a job and career in conservation, Dr. Deborah Gangloff, exec. dir. of AMERICAN FORESTS, says to start as a volunteer. Read more in this exclusive interview! >>>

• Wood Products Consultant
• Soil Conservationist
• Conservation Education Coordinator
• Science Manager
• Forest Policy Advisor
• Area Biologist
• Fiber Procurement Analyst
• Forest Planner
• Forestland Appraiser
• Fire Management Officer
• Natural Resource Survey (GIS) Specialist
• Research Social Scientist
• Forestry Economist
• Forest Watershed Hydrologist
• Landscape Ecologist

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual earnings for foresters in 2002 were $46,730 with the middle 50 percent between $36,330 and $56,890. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,700 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $69,000.

Some universities report beginning salaries for foresters, range managers, and soil conservationists with a BS degree ranging from $23,442 to $29,037.

Check out full report from BLS on careers in Forstery here.

RELATED AREAS OF STUDY

Wood Science

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