Foresters manage natural resources and protect forests for future generations. They work in the timber industry or focus on preserving ecosystems and watersheds. A degree in forestry is required, and certified foresters can earn a respectable salary.
A forest engineer is a biologist specially trained to manage the natural resources of forests. Foresters have a wide range of job responsibilities, from creating timber harvest plans (THPs) for areas to be logged to organizing and protecting reserves and parks. For those who enjoy working outdoors, forestry is a great career. Foresters spend a lot of time outside working in the forest, and they work to preserve the valuable resources in their region for future generations.
The forestry profession is quite old. Early foresters worked during the medieval era, guarding royal forests and organizing harvest plans to collect trees in a reasonably sustainable way. Medieval foresters also protected the land from poachers, hunted in an organized way, and kept records of game and other wild animals in the forests they oversaw. Many of these tasks are retained in modern forestry, although the profession is less about law enforcement and more about protecting resources today.
A forest ranger can work in many different positions. Some foresters work for timber companies; in this case, they assess forests owned or controlled by the logging company. Foresters in the timber industry decide whether or not it is safe to harvest trees and examine the ecological impact of harvesting timber to determine whether or not a THP would be approved. A timber yard also marks trees for harvest and monitors yields on timber company land.
A conservation forester tends to focus more on preserving ecosystems and watersheds in forest regions. These foresters carry out research on regional plants and animals and analyze the impact of human activity on the forests in which they work. Conservation foresters can support timber harvesting when practiced sustainably, but they also work to create protected areas so people can enjoy nature.
In some parts of the world, a forest engineer has immense power because governments have recognized the intrinsic value of forests. In Japan, for example, an extensive timber management program has been practiced for hundreds of years to protect Japan’s historically, ecologically and economically important forests. Foresters also work in regions that have experienced resource depletion, hoping to restore the forests and natural environments in those countries.
Someone who wants to become a forester must generally major in forestry. The degree includes extensive study in biology, along with an analysis of the economic and cultural value of forests. A certified forester who has passed specific exams can earn a very respectable salary in return for his services.
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