As far as environmental jobs go, conservation forestry jobs are probably not very well-known. What exactly does a conservation forester do? Environmental jobs are becoming increasingly important because of the growing fears associated with the depletion of our natural resources and the destruction of the ozone layer, as well as with the steady endangerment of many species of plants and animals. Conservation foresters are on the front line in the defense of our environment.
What functions do conservation forestry jobs fulfill? A conservation forester can do a wide range of jobs, from hiking deep into the woods to gathering information on the wildlife and plant life in a given area, to sitting behind a desk writing and analyzing the results of his research. A forester is expected to know the area in which he or she works, and is expected to aid the local population in effectively planning and executing their interaction with the forest. A conservation forester can play important roles in advising private land owners on the most efficient and environmentally friendly way for them to utilize their land. Along with the obvious research and data collection, there are more subtle roles played by people with forestry jobs. These include topography or map making, remote sensing or surveying areas from far away utilizing satellites and other means, to water locating, to geological issues, to conservation of wildlife, to the overseeing of the appropriation and conservation of wooded areas. Conservation foresters give people advice on what trees to plant and how to plant them after a given area has been harvested for timber, and also play an important role in updating the species list in an area.
Since forest products make up a very significant percentage of the economic resources of the US and Canada, forestry jobs like those maintained by conservation foresters are exceedingly important. This is so because as the world population continues to grow, increased demand for forestry products like timber and paper are forcing environmentalists to rethink their position on the harvest and appropriation of forest resources. Since the demand is so high, it has never been more important to control the harvest and maintenance of long-term renewable natural resources like forest wood. Conservation foresters are responsible for acting as a buffer between big business, the government, and environmentalists concerned with the conservation of forests and forest wildlife. Many conservation foresters are environmentalists themselves by default!
One of the degrees commonly held by conservation foresters is a Bachelor’s of Ecology and Forest Science. Since forestry jobs are primarily responsible for geographical and biological concerns, almost all foresters have degrees in forest-related biological studies. Many conservation foresters also hold master’s degrees in their given discipline. Someone interested in conservation forestry can typically get a decent job with a respectable wage with only a bachelor’s degree in forest science.
Many conservation foresters are employed by local and state governments to oversea the proper use and maintenance of public and private forests. This is the primary reason that environmental jobs, especially forestry jobs are more highly saturated in areas that have substantial forests. These regions of the US and Canada include almost all of Canada and the mountainous regions of the US, as well as most of the northern states of the US and a significant portion of the Midwest and the Mountain States. Conservation foresters work alongside rangers to help protect the forests and forest wildlife from the abuse of the natural resources, which are abundant within the forest and include both plant and animal life.
Considering the present concerns about the environment and clean energy, it is no wonder that conservation forestry has gained a more important role in national and international politics. With the ever-present threat of poachers and illicit logging operations, it has become more important than ever for people who assume forestry jobs to remain vigilant and protect our resources. With the increased worldwide demand for wood, it will continue to be absolutely essential for all those holding forestry jobs to play their roles with efficiency and resolve.
