Careers In Forestry
Becoming a Forestry Professional
Foresters
So, how do you become a forester? For most, the path is through a college or university, such as Virginia Tech, that offers a 4-year, SAF-accredited, degree in forestry. Students take courses in a variety of subjects, such as forest biology, woodland management, outdoor recreation, timber procurement, hydrology, computer applications and spatial analysis. Through their coursework, field studies and internships, they learn the critical skills that will help them help forest landowners and Virginias forestlands.
Forest Technicians
The path to becoming a forest technician is a little different. Many technicians have earned a 2-year degree from a community college, such as Dabney Lancaster. Students take such diverse courses as forest measurements, forest and wildlife ecology, dendrology, forest fire control, timber harvesting, sawmilling, wildlife and fisheries management, forest products and urban forestry.
Working as a Forestry Professional
One of the best aspects of forestry work is the diversity of the duties. The range of tasks is wide, and no two days are exactly alike. You might begin one day helping a landowner decide how to best meet his or her goals through the development of a forest stewardship management plan, and end the day helping extinguish a forest fire. You could be out in the field helping a logger implement best management practices in order to protect the quality of our water, or you might be working with a planting crew involved in reforestation efforts. You could be conducting research to ensure that we dont experience an outbreak of bark beetle infestation, or you might be helping Smokey Bear teach children about forest fire prevention. In times of crises, you could be delivering food and water to victims of hurricanes or helping people rebuild their lives and their homes after a flood. Regardless of the task, you will be helping people everyday.
The Future of Forestry
Forestry is big business in Virginia. Forestry and related activities contribute more than $30 Billion in benefits to the states economy each year. And more than 248,000 Virginians are employed in the forest industry. But each year, fewer young people enroll in college-level forestry courses. That means not as many people are available to fill these jobs. For those who are planning to become forestry professionals, this is good news as it indicates a higher demand for their talents. As demand increases and supply decreases, the best students will likely receive multiple job offers along with very competitive salaries.
Is a Forestry Career Right for You?
What makes the Great Outdoors great? While nature plays the leading role, it sometimes needs the help of forestry professionals from the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF).
But who are these 285 men and women of the VDOF whose mission it is to protect and develop healthy sustainable forest resources for Virginians? How did they prepare themselves to become professional foresters or forestry technicians?
Typically, foresters and technicians have had a lifelong love of the outdoors, a passion for the role the environment plays in our lives, and a desire to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth. They are good stewards of our forests, ensuring this vital resource is available today and in the future. They protect more than 15 million acres of forestland from the ravages of wildfire. They grow and replant more than 33 million tree seedlings each year. They ensure the health and vitality of our trees by keeping detrimental insects and invasive tree species out of our forests. They provide places for contemplation and recreation. They protect the quality of our water and our air. And they establish and maintain natural habitats for thousands of species of wildlife.
50 Careers in Trees
Accountant Appraiser Arborist Botanical Farmer Broker Christmas Tree Farmer Community Educator Community Project Manager Cooperative Extension Specialist Ecologist Elementary School Teacher Executive Director Forest Pathologist Forester Fund Raiser or Resource Developer GIS Professional Grant Administrator Grant Writer Groundskeeper High School Teacher Landscape Architect Landscape Contractor Landscape Designer or Garden Consultant Lawyer Legislator Lumber Harvester Lumber Miller Nature Photographer Nursery Owner or Manager Park Planner Park Supervisor Professor Researcher Salesperson Silviculturist Social Forester Soil Scientist Special Forest Products Entrepreneur Transportation Engineer Tree Inventory Technician Tree Rentals Tree Service Tree Technician Urban Forester Urban Planner Utility Arborist or Forester Volunteer Wildland Fire Manager Wildland Restoration Writer
Forestry Internships
Paid internships may be available each summer. Contact the Virginia Department of Forestry Office of Human Resources at 434.977.6555 to learn more.
Last modified: Wednesday, 12-Mar-2008 13:21:10 UTC