Foresters manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. They may inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. They may determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations, and devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
A forester’s job duties involve assessing compliance with environmental laws, managing agricultural or forest operations, developing plans to manage natural renewable resources, determining methods to minimize the environmental impact of activities and inspecting conditions of natural environments.
A candidate aspiring to become a forester should hold a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, geology, statistics, veterinary science or animal husbandry; or hold a bachelor's degree in forestry which aims to train students in forest and resource management, environment conservation, tree science, and silviculture, to name a few. However, many technical positions within the forest service don't require college degrees, and they still offer opportunities to advance. Foresters may need to be licensed or registered in some states.
Foresters’ salary is commensurate to the nature of the job, experience and skills one possesses.
A forester needs management skills, coordination and using science rules to solve problems. They should be able to use computers for budget management and report writing. To succeed, foresters must be fully aware of environmental issues and willing to keep up to date with health, safety and tree protection laws.
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
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