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Government Forester

Government Foresters may write management plans for private landowners or manage forest lands owned by the government. They evaluate forest data and soil quality, provide valuable information to private landowners, assess tree damage and manage logging activities.

Like traditional foresters, the government forester spends most of his or her time outside either working with private landowners or on government-owned forests.

This position may also be known as Forest Ranger. Forest Rangers may assist with fire control duties or keeping the public safe on government-owned forests.

Jordan Luff

Management Forester, North Carolina Forest Service

You have the opportunity to do a lot more than basic forest management, so be creative and accept challenges as opportunities for growth. As a Government Forester, you will spend a lot of time talking to the public. You need to be ready to be a representative of your agency and your profession to them.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry, or a related field.

Helpful courses to take in high school: Mathematics, biology, earth science and geography courses are beneficial. Also plan to join an agriculture-focused course or club, such as FFA (Future Farmers of America) to receive industry-specific knowledge and hands-on experience.

Tools of the Trade

  • Operation of heavy equipment such as feller bunchers (heavy machinery used to cut down trees during harvest), stump grinders, delimbers and log loaders.
  • Protective gear such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, gloves, goggles and earplugs.
  • Use of basic forestry tools such as chainsaws, boundary flags, a compass, clinometer and diameter tapes.

Important Skills

Strong mathematical skills are needed to calculate the number of seedlings to plant per-acre.

Knowledge of how to care for the managed forest land. This includes, but is not limited to, seedlings, water, shrubbery and soils. 

Good communication skills are needed while working with contractors, loggers, and other company employees. At times, this type of forester may write reports and give presentations. This forester may also be in charge of supervising forestry technicians or other staff.

GIS and map-making skills are becoming more and more important for government foresters, whether working with the public or with government-owned forests.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Maintaining and conserving forest land
  • Monitoring plants and insects
  • Keeping an eye out for diseased trees
  • Collecting and analyzing forest data
  • Conducting controlled burns and managing forest fires
  • Protect water quality during forestry operations

 

A primary objective of the government forester is to oversee conservation activities to ensure compliance with government regulations and guidelines. They are also concerned with wildlife habitat protection. In many cases, the government forester may help private landowners qualify for reduced property taxes by having a forest management plan.

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