Forester
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Conservation Scientists and ForestersCreated by the U.S. Department of Labor, this career profile introduces you to the training, work qualifications, employment data, and job outlook for foresters and related occupations, such as ecologists. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find links to important professional organizations in the field, or click on detailed earnings data and learn more about these careers in nature conservation.
Investigate Biodiversity: Conservation CareersYou will find profiles of conservation professionals at this site, as well as links to information on educational choices, career choices, and tips for getting started.
ISeek: Conservation ScientistsAt ISeek, sponsored by the State of Minnesota, you will find a comprehensive overview to conservation careers, including work activities, skills and abilities needed, preparation for these careers, and an online video to guide you through a day in the life of a consecration scientist. Find out about licenses and certifications, as well as alternative career titles you may encounter in a job search.
Princeton Review: Natural Resources ConservationDiscover the basics of natural resources conservation at this page of the Princeton Review, which will also connect you to high school preparation, colleges offering related majors, and sample undergraduate curriculums to get you started.
U.S. Forest ServiceA U.S. Department of Agriculture division, this organization manages public land in national forests nationwide. Find out about employment with the organization and its parks, maps, brochures, a photo and video gallery, research activities, and other projects and information on forestry conservation and management.
Occupational Titles
Forester
Arborist
Forest Operations
Woodlands Engineer
Forest Development Manager
Planning Forester
Forest Operations Manager
Development Engineer
Forest Resources Management
Watershed Manager
Forest Planner
Chief Forester
Silvicultural Forester
Woodlands Manager
Forest Sciences
Forest Geneticist
Biodiversity Specialist
Fisheries and Wildlife Officer
Forest Ecologist
Seed Planning Forester
Natural Resources Conservation
Wildlife or Fisheries Biologist
Environmental Consultant
Land-use Planner
Environmental Educator
Environmental Lawyer
Wood Products Processing
Business Analyst
Project Engineer
Operations Manager
Product Development
Technical Sales
Accredited Academic Programs
Forestry Degree ProgramsA list of accredited programs in forestry is provided in this document of the Society of American Foresters. In order to earn advanced credentials, it is a requirement to have graduated from a school recognized by this organization. Learn more about forestry curricula through the link available here.
Princeton Review: Schools Offering Natural Resources ConservationLook at the list of colleges here, and connect to any one of their home pages to learn about their programs in natural resources conservation and relate degrees. Click on your selections, and be taken to contact information and websites for schools and programs you are interested in.
Salary Levels
Payscale: ForesterMedian salary by years of experience for a forester is shown at this page, with additional information further down on the median salary by employer type and city of employment in the U.S.
Professional Organizations
Center for International Forestry ResearchNews and events of the forestry industry are presented at this home page, where you will find forestry science, work, and career information. You can search this site by region, find a wealth of publications in the field available at no cost, or learn about references for further research through journal gateways on the web.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Forestry HomeAt the forestry home page of the Food and Agriculture division of the U.N., you will find information on the state of the world’s forests, themed areas, and publications for better forestry practice. The work of this organization is introduced, including combating desertification and climate change, and financing sustainable and environmentally sound forests.
International Union of Forest Research OrganizationsThe international work of this non-profit organization enhances our understanding of the economic, ecological, and social aspects of forest and tree maintenance. You can find the latest news in forestry, publications, and a “who’s who” in this organization of forest sustainability.
Society for Range ManagementWith the goal of enhancing sustainable rangeland and ecosystems, this organization provides a host of member services, publications, educational opportunities, and a site just for students. Go to that link from the tab at the top of the page, and you will discover scholarship details and information on student participation in the organization.
Society of American ForestersScroll through the periodicals put out by this organization, or sign up at the career center for opportunities as a professional forester. Learn about certification in the field, educational opportunities, or go to the special section just for students.
The Nature ConservancyYou can join the conservancy online to explore new places in the world, build your personal nature page, or sign up for the e-mails you want. Find out about volunteering activities of the organization, dedicated to supporting conservancy projects around the globe, or simply learn how this organization works to develop science-based conservation by design.
Job Opportunity Sources
Center for International Forestry Research: CareersYou can make a difference by landing a challenging opportunity in forestry work. The Center for International Forestry Research provides this site on national, regional, global, and postgraduate positions in forestry, as well as internship and fellowship listings.
Environmental Career GuideFrom a vocational center, this career guide links to many environmental career sites from college departments around the country and other useful sources. Find a host of ecolinks and an environmental career corner, as well as information on becoming an environmental engineer. Each site has unique features that tell you more about job descriptions, education, what you can earn, and where to find opportunities. Click on job market for literally hundreds of career-related links, as well as state-by-state information.
Society of American Foresters: Career CenterCreated just for students, this career center offers information on scholarship and awards, as well as links to a college life and career center. To simplify your job search, access this link, and learn more about becoming a natural resources professional.
Licensing & Certification
ISeek Certifications by Career: Conservation Scientist CertificationsFind 16 certifications in the field of conservation science at this page, which includes links to diplomate recognition and other credentials from important certifying organizations.
Society of American Foresters: Certified ForesterThis program of the Society of American Foresters serves the public and is an important sign of a qualified expert in the field of forestry. Download a brochure on certification, find out how you can serve the public with this credential, and read about eligibility requirements and examinations.
Publications
Center for International Forester Research: PublicationsThe publications database of the Center for International Forestry Research offers recent publications in PDF format, as well as basic and advanced search options. Plenty of free papers, briefs, book chapters, and journal articles in the field of forestry are included for your research.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Forestry PublicationsForestry papers of this United Nations division will enhance your understanding of global issues of forestry preservation and conserving biological diversity. Order publications, find out about the state of the world’s forests, or browse books, monographs, and journals.
Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences EducationThis journal addresses all issues in life sciences, natural resources, and agriculture. A special section of the journal focuses on student education, with full-text articles available at the site.
Nature Conservancy MagazineThe current online issue is available here, introducing you to conservation from various points of view. Look at multimedia departments, the News Front, or find out how you can help protect land, waters, and animals.
Society of American Foresters: Periodicals PageThe periodicals available here are full of the most up-to-date news, research, policy issues, and practice surrounding forestry and natural resource conservation. Premier scholarly journals, as well as magazines to simply keep you current on the most important issues are included.
Online Forums & Blogs
Forest Defenders’ BlogDedicated to issues of forest conservation and the environment, this blog and archive includes such topics as forest defense, saving ancient forests, campaigns for forest growth, and community forestry teams.
Forests.orgWorking to end deforestation, preserve, and promote new forest growth, this site provides a forum for communication with others with similar interests.
SwitchboardEnvironmental news and commentary are presented at this blog, hosted by the National Resource Defense Council. Contributors are writers, politicians, and scientists interested in saving the environment. You can access current and archived blogs about curbing pollution, environmental justice, green enterprise, health and the environment, and living sustainably.
Career Videos
Forestry Video ClipsFrom the University of British Columbia, these videos address many aspects of forestry from people in the industry, including wages, forest resource management careers, forest operations, and wood products processing jobs.
YouTube: Forest and Conservation WorkersLearn about nature’s systems and the wildlife they shelter. The job of conservation workers, such as planting, surveying and mapping natural areas, or developing programs to protect nature are discussed in this video, which offers a comprehensive overview to conservation and wildlife careers.
