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Careers in Forestry

Have you ever wondered...

Have you ever wandered through a forest and been impressed by its beauty and diversity? Have you ever pondered how important forests are to our existence? Forests provide the oxygen that we breathe, remove carbon from the atmosphere and help clean the air, moderate our climate, regulate our water systems, help prevent erosion, provide habitat for wildlife, and provide recreational and spiritual opportunities.

Forests are a renewable resource and Canadian forests continue to play a large role in Canada’s economic, social and cultural development along with its environmental sustainability. Working in forestry can take you to an urban forest or deep into northern forests, to a laboratory studying forest life or into communities to live and work with individuals whose livelihoods directly depend on the forest. If you enjoy the natural sciences and the wonders of our natural resources, a career in forestry may be for you!

WHAT IS  FORESTRY?

Forestry is the science and art of sustainably managing forest ecosystems for specific objectives; these objectives are related to economic, environmental, social and cultural values. Basically, forestry involves everyone somehow—Canada’s forests are the backbone of an $81.8 billion forest industry!* * State of Canada’s Forest Report 2003-2004 http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/cfs-scf/sof/   

WHAT DO FOREST PRACTITIONERS DO?

Forest practitioners understand the biology of trees, the ecology of forests, operations research, wood science and manufacturing processes, fire and pest detection and control. They design and implement forest management programs that impact on diverse public and private interests, and need to acquire an understanding of the broader economic, environmental, and social dimensions of managing renewable resources—they take into consideration all uses and users. Forest practitioners have had to become skilled communicators, sensitive to public concerns and able to explain forestry goals and practices to a diverse range of stakeholders.

Forest practitioners work for a variety of employers such as federal, provincial and municipal governments, private industry, consulting and research firms, colleges, universities, and non-governmental organizations. Canadian forest practitioners work not only in Canada, but also around the world in many different countries.

Forest practitioners are called upon to manage our forests for various public and private needs. This challenge can be met only by a combination of scientific, management and communication skills. They map and inventory the forest resource, supervise its harvesting, reforest cutover lands, protect it from wildfires and pests, and manage it for recreation and water, values. They may work as researchers at one of several centres across Canada maintained by Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Forest Service or the Provinces.

Many forest practitioners specialize in harvesting and silviculture and work for forest products companies. Other work includes soil erosion and reclamation experts for mining companies, as outdoor recreational planners for provincial and municipal governments, as advisors to environmental non-government agencies or as urban forest practitioners managing trees on city streets and parklands.

Important fields of research include biotechnology, silviculture and silvics, forest economics, and remote sensing.

For more information on employment outlooks – check out the Government of Canada Job Futures web site at http://jobfutures.ca.

Forester

Training/Skills
Training to become a forester generally requires a degree from a university specializing in forestry, which usually takes four to five years to complete. However work experience and long-distance learning can also provide the necessary training. Once you have successfully obtained the necessary education, you may be required to obtain a license and be registered as a Registered Professional Forester.

Nature of the Work
Generally, foresters work with sophisticated tests and measurements, computer models, statistics, and a variety of other scientific and quantitative methods and procedures. So a good understanding of high school science and mathematics is important. A career in forestry may also call on strong verbal, writing and interpersonal skills.
Foresters can be involved in traditional activities like planning, harvesting or silviculture; some may be involved in education, public relations or in marketing and sales. No matter what the role, foresters are committed to finding solutions to the ongoing resource management challenges and to ensuring the sustainability of the forest and allied resource.

Working Conditions
Foresters work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions on a variety of terrains.

Outlook
Careers as a forester can lead to working for industry, federal or provincial governments, education institutions, or you could become a consultant.

Forest Technician / Technologist