Natural Resources and Conservation
Forestry
Prepares you to manage and develop forest areas for economic, recreational, and ecological purposes. Covers forest-related sciences, mapping, statistics, harvesting and production technology, natural resources management and economics, wildlife sciences, administration, and public relations.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 8 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Forestry, General
- Prepares you to manage and develop forest areas for economic, recreational, and ecological purposes. Covers forest-related sciences, mapping, statistics, harvesting and production technology, natural resources management and economics, wildlife sciences, administration, and public relations.
- Forest Sciences and Biology
- Focuses on the application of one or more forest-related sciences to the study of environmental factors affecting forests and the growth and management of forest resources. Covers forest biology, forest hydrology, forest mensuration, silviculture, forest soils, water resources, environmental science, forest resources management, and wood science.
- Forest Management/Forest Resources Management
- Prepares you to apply principles of forestry and natural resources management to the administration of forest lands and related resources. Covers silviculture, forest mensuration, forest protection, inventorying, biometrics, geographic information systems, remote sensing, photogrammetry, forest policy and economics, forest land use planning, fire protection and management, and related administrative skills.
- Urban Forestry
- Prepares you to apply the principles of forestry and related sciences to the development, care, and maintenance of individual trees and forested areas within or close to areas of dense human habitation. Covers urban environments; effects of pollution on tree species; environmental design and landscaping; urban pest infestation; urban forest management; and applicable policies and regulations.
- Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology/Technician
- Focuses on the application of chemical, physical, and engineering principles to the analysis of the properties and behavior of wood and wood products and the development of processes for converting wood into paper and other products. Covers wood classification and testing, product development, manufacturing and processing technologies, and the design and development of related equipment and systems.
- Forest Resources Production and Management
- Focuses on the application of forestry principles to the production, harvesting, and processing of forest resources and that prepares you to perform associated technical and managerial functions. Covers forest production and utilization, industrial forestry, agroforestry, transplantation, timber harvesting, selection and identification of trees, processing technologies and systems, equipment operations and maintenance, and related management skills.
- Forest Technology/Technician
- Prepares you to assist foresters in the management and production of forest resources. Covers woods and field skills, tree identification, timber measurement, logging and timber harvesting, forest propagation and regeneration, forest fire-fighting, resource management, equipment operation and maintenance, record-keeping, sales and purchasing operations, and personnel supervision.
- Forestry, Other
- Forestry not listed above.
Also called Silviculture, Sylviculture
Also called Arboriculture
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Forest and Conservation Technicians
- Median pay
- $54,560
- Hiring change through 2035
- −2.1%
- Job openings a year
- 3,800
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyFirst-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
- Median pay
- $59,320
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.8%
- Job openings a year
- 7,200
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyForesters
- Median pay
- $76,400
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.2%
- Job openings a year
- 900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingForest and Conservation Workers
- Median pay
- $43,680
- Hiring change through 2035
- −1.5%
- Job openings a year
- 2,200
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingConservation Scientists
- Median pay
- $73,010
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.3%
- Job openings a year
- 2,100
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyForestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $101,420
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.8%
- Job openings a year
- 100
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $38,479 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
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