A forester is a biologist who has received specialized training in the management of forest natural resources. Foresters are responsible for a wide range of tasks, from creating Timber Harvest Plans (THPs) for areas that are about to be logged to organizing and protecting reserves and parks. Forestry is a great career for people who enjoy working outside. Foresters spend a lot of time in the woods, and they work to ensure that the valuable resources in their areas are preserved for future generations to enjoy.
The forestry industry has a long history. During the medieval era, early foresters guarded royal forests and organized harvest plans to collect trees in a sustainable manner. In addition to protecting land from poachers, medieval foresters organized hunts and kept track of game and other wildlife in the forests they oversaw. Many of these responsibilities are still carried out in modern forestry, though the profession now focuses more on resource protection than on law enforcement.
A forester can work in a variety of capacities. Some foresters work for timber companies, in which case they evaluate forests that the company owns or controls. Foresters in the timber industry determine whether or not it is safe to harvest trees, as well as the environmental impact of timber harvesting, in order to determine whether or not a THP will be approved. On timber company land, a timber forester also marks trees for harvest and keeps track of yields.
In forested areas, a conservation forester focuses on ecosystem and watershed preservation. These foresters study the impact of human activity on the forests they work in conducting surveys of regional plants and animals. Conservation foresters may support sustainable timber harvesting, but they also work to protect natural areas so that people can enjoy them.
Because governments have recognized the intrinsic value of forests in some parts of the world, a forester wields enormous power. For hundreds of years in Japan, for example, a comprehensive timber management program has been used to protect the country’s historically, ecologically, and economically significant forests. Foresters also work in areas where resources have been depleted in the hopes of restoring natural forests and environments in these countries.
A forestry degree is usually required for someone who wants to work as a forester. The degree includes extensive biology coursework as well as an examination of the economic and cultural significance of forests. In exchange for his or her services, a certified forester who has passed specific exams can earn a very respectable salary.