Green Horizons

I remember the Christmas before receiving my Bachelor of Science in Forestry having a conversation with family members regarding my life after college. My older sister asked, “So, just what will you do after you graduate?” I already knew where this conversation was headed in part because throughout my college days she had given me several Smokey Bear items; that year’s installment being a miniature Smokey Bear stuffed animal in my stocking.

After politely listening to me explain how I would help manage ‘our’ forests to produce the wood products society wants along with ‘other’ benefits, she wryly replied, “So, you will put out forest fires?” as she played with Smokey’s hat. I said, “Perhaps.” But, that putting out fires was just a small part of the job.

After several more attempts to describe what a forester did, and several more verbal jabs from sis, I realized two things. First, she was really having a hard time fully appreciating the role a forester plays in natural resource management. And second, I was having a really hard time explaining it!

Now, with some 22 years of experience under my belt, I may not say it as eloquently as I would like, but I have a much deeper appreciation for the many hats a forester will wear in the course of his or her career.

A forester may be the most broadly skilled, yet specialized, kind of natural resource professional.

This individual must understand and apply elements of biology, ecology, economics, engineering, social science, statistics, hydrology, soil science and other fields to sustain the benefits forested landscapes provide. Foresters are not just employed in wood-producing commercial forests, but also in urban landscapes, agricultural lands, state and national parks, municipal watersheds and anywhere else trees might grow.

Yes, foresters do plan and supervise timber harvests. But, they also work to actively manage wildlife habitat, protect human property from forest hazards such as fire (okay sis, you got me on this one), monitor forest growth and health, enforce environmental law, perform research and educate the public on the value of all forests. In a world of limited resources and a growing human population, the forester is a valued professional struggling to balance the needs of people and nature.