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Video Transcript

A forester’s job can be summed up simply as managing forests. But the reality is also complicated: foresters must balance the needs of the environment with the needs of businesses that earn money from logging. In short, foresters manage land to conserve resources, develop recreation opportunities, and produce timber. Often walking miles in rugged woodlands, foresters make an inventory of the trees on a plot of land. They design plans to harvest existing trees and plant new trees based on local conditions and their employer’s needs, whether for public lands owned by government, or privately held land. Foresters also appraise the market value of timber and negotiate contracts for forest harvesting and leasing of forest lands. Foresters are also environmental educators; they provide training and outreach to landowners and other groups around forest management and preserving the health of forest ecosystems. They promote sustainable practices to conserve water, increase soil health, improve or preserve wildlife habitat, and ensure compliance with state and federal laws. Foresters often work with local fire departments on wildfire prevention and may be exposed to smoke and fire hazards when participating in firefighting efforts. Many foresters divide their time between office-based tasks and outdoor field work. Jobs in this field typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of work experience.