Wildlife & Forestry Schools

Which types of jobs are available For those interested in wildlife & forestry?

For those interested in the outdoors and conservation, careers in wildlife & forestry are a natural fit. From tracking wildlife to collecting soil samples, forestry professionals manage our country's forests and other natural resources. They promote conservation, perform research, and develop recreational areas so that Americans may enjoy the outdoors for generations to come.

Conservation scientists and foresters work in a variety of fields, including soil conservation, native species research, pest management, urban forestry and forest economics. The majority of wildlife and forestry jobs require a combination of office work and field work. Conservation scientists working in an office may analyze research and advise environmental policy, while those in the field may inventory plants and animals, research erosion problems and manage controlled burns. Depending on their area of specialization, conservation scientists and foresters may work on the following projects:

• Collect data from the field
• Advise farmers on efficient land use
• Locate and fix erosion problems
• Create plans for sustainable, healthy forests
• Prevent wildfires
• Respond to natural disasters
• Maintain recreational facilities
• Contribute to environmental policy

Wildlife and forestry careers can be extremely rewarding for those passionate about the environment. However, working with the great outdoors also entails some challenges. Foresters' field work often requires them to spend a significant amount of time alone in the wilderness. They must be able to walk long distances and navigate densely wooded land. When natural disasters strike, foresters often work overtime to help areas recover from fire, floods, tropical storms and mudslides. And because much forestry work depends on the season, it can be difficult for inexperienced forest and conservation technicians to find work year round.

Formal training required to work in a career related to wildlife & forestry

While many low-level wildlife & forestry jobs require only a high-school diploma, a bachelor's degree in forestry, environmental science or a related field is required to become a forester or conservation scientist.

Earning a bachelor's degree in forestry requires four years of full-time study. Wildlife and forestry degree programs concentrate heavily on the natural sciences, and students take both general science courses and technical forestry courses. Wildlife and forestry degree programs often include coursework in the following subjects:

• Ecology
• Biology
• Soil formation
• Tree physiology
• Taxonomy
• Wildlife habitat assessment
• Land surveying
• Forest resource management
• GPS technology
• Public policy

A bachelor's degree is sufficient for many entry-level forestry positions, but teaching and research positions often require an advanced degree.

The typical career path of someone interested in wildlife & forestry

Those seeking wildlife & forestry careers should excel in math and science, love working outdoors, and enjoy long walks and similar physical challenges. Because foresters and conservation scientists must work with others to perform research and shape policy, they should have strong communication skills.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 68 percent of foresters and conservation scientists work for local, state or federal government. Recent graduates usually work under the supervision of more experienced foresters, and they may advance to supervisory roles through experience, continued education or certification by the Society of American Foresters. Conservation scientists in the federal government often begin their careers in forest resource management.

In May 2009, the BLS reported a total of 16,810 conservation scientists and 10,230 foresters working in the United States. Montana had the highest concentration of workers in both categories.

Job outlook and salary information for those interested in wildlife & forestry

The BLS expects employment of foresters and conservation scientists to grow by 12 percent from 2008 to 2018, about as fast as the national average. This growth should generate approximately 3,600 new jobs. The BLS also expects many wildlife and forestry professionals to retire between 2008 and 2018, which will create more job opportunities. The majority of new wildlife and forestry jobs will be in the government sector.

In addition to steady growth, foresters and conservation scientists enjoy above-average salaries. According to the BLS, conservation scientists nationwide earned an average income of $61,180 in 2009, while foresters earned an average of $55,220. Exact wages vary across industries, with the federal government and utilities companies paying the highest average salaries.