What Forest and Conservation Technicians Do

Forest and conservation technicians measure and improve the quality of forests, rangeland, and other natural areas.

Duties

Forest and conservation technicians typically do the following:

• Gather data on water and soil quality, disease, and insect damage to trees and other plants, and conditions that may pose a fire hazard
• Locate property lines and evaluate forested areas to determine the species, quality, and amount of standing timber
• Select and mark trees to be cut
• Track where wildlife goes, help build roads, and maintain trails, campsites, and other recreational facilities
• Train and lead seasonal workers who plant seedlings
• Monitor the activities of loggers and others who remove trees for timber sales or for other reasons
• Patrol forest areas and enforce environmental protection regulations
• Communicate with foresters, scientists, and sometimes the public about ongoing forestry and conservation activities
• Suppress forest fires with fire control activities, including training other forestry workers and coordinating detection programs

Forest and conservation technicians generally work under the supervision of foresters or conservation scientists. For more information, see the profile on conservation scientists and foresters.

Increasing numbers of forest and conservation technicians work in urban forestry—the study and management of trees and associated plants, individually or in groups within cities, suburbs and towns—and other nontraditional specialties, rather than in forests or rural areas.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition