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What does a Forester do?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A forester is a biologist who is specially trained to manage the natural resources in forests. Foresters have a wide range of job responsibilities, ranging from the creation of Timber Harvest Plans (THPs) for areas about to be logged to organizing and protecting reserves and parks. For people who like to work outdoors, forestry is a great career. Foresters spend much of their time outside working in the woods, and they work to preserve the valuable resources in their regions for future generations to enjoy.

The forestry profession is quite ancient. 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 land from poachers, organized hunts, and kept track of game and other wildlife in the forests that they supervised. Many of these tasks are retained in modern forestry, although the profession is less about law enforcement and more about resource protection today.

Forestry involves managing and developing forests.
Forestry involves managing and developing forests.

A forester can work in a number of different positions. Some foresters work for timber companies, in which case they assess forests owned or controlled by the timber company. Foresters in the timber industry decide whether or not it is safe to harvest trees, and they look at the ecological impact of timber harvesting to determine whether or not a THP would be approved. A timber forester also marks trees for harvest, and keeps track of yields on timber company land.

A conservation forester creates protected areas so people can enjoy nature.
A conservation forester creates protected areas so people can enjoy nature.

A conservation forester tends to focus more on ecosystem and watershed preservation in forested regions. These foresters conduct surveys of regional plants and animals, and look at the impact of human activity on the forests that they work in. Conservation foresters may support timber harvesting when it is practiced sustainably, but they also work to create protected areas so that people can enjoy nature.

The some aspects of forest industry are concerned with the maintenance of hiking trails.
The some aspects of forest industry are concerned with the maintenance of hiking trails.

In some parts of the world, a forester 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 the historically, ecologically, and economically important forests of Japan. Foresters also work in regions which have experienced resource depletion, in the hopes of restoring the natural forests and environments in these countries.

Someone who wants to become a forester must generally take a degree 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 or her services.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon176723

what do they do if they're in an office all the time?

anon46902

Anon 46870, re-read the article! It discusses many more things that foresters do besides cut down trees.

anon46870

Why? i just want to know 5 things that they do (other than cut down trees) for a project! is that too much to ask for?

anon25049

Foresters today do not spend as much time in the woods as most believe. Forestry has become technologically advanced just like other professions. Many degreed foresters spend much of their days in the office on a computer performing such tasks as stand mapping, GIS (geographic information systems) mapping, harvest planning, growth and yield modeling, designing silvicultural activities via aerial photography, and much much more. The role of field forester is filled largely by forest technicians who have little or no formal training, or a 2-year degree like offered by some technical schools around the country. A forester fills a different role today than they did even 10 years ago.

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    • Forestry involves managing and developing forests.
      By: Lars Johansson
      Forestry involves managing and developing forests.
    • A conservation forester creates protected areas so people can enjoy nature.
      By: deberarr
      A conservation forester creates protected areas so people can enjoy nature.
    • The some aspects of forest industry are concerned with the maintenance of hiking trails.
      By: Mark Rasmussen
      The some aspects of forest industry are concerned with the maintenance of hiking trails.