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Forestry Careers

Forest Industry Careers in Wisconsin​

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources​ the forest industry in Wisconsin provides more than 59,000 jobs and generates nearly $23 billion for Wisconsin’s economy.

There is not doubt that the forest industry is vital to the welfare of Wisconsin and that the development of employees is vital to the industry. This page is dedicated to highlighting and outlining the many and varied careers of the forest industry.​​

DNR Foresters Benefit Wisconsin’s Economic Outlook​​​

During a recent timber harvest at the Nekoosa School Forest we spoke to Wisconsin DNR Forester Steve Grant, who discussed the critical role Wisconsin’s school forests play in our state.

As a forester, Steve Grant believes that trees are one of our state’s greatest natural resources and in order to maintain that resource, forests need proper management. He explained how the long-term health of a forest depends on proper forest management, and a healthy forest is able to provide the natural resources needed to keep our state’s economy strong.

Students who visited the Nekoosa School Forest during the timber harvest learned about the diversity of careers that are involved in the industry from managing the forest resource to harvesting the timber and driving the log trucks to the mill. Aaron Matticks, the logger who was working in the school forest, talked about the business of owning your own logging company and what it takes to operate and maintain a machine like his Ponsee harvester.

Grant emphasized that teachers and students can benefit greatly from the state’s school forest program, which allows students who might not otherwise visit a forest to see it for themselves. And, the school forest often gives kids a chance to get involved and take ownership of the forest. By planting trees and caring for the forest students develop an environmental ethic that will help sustain forests and the resources they provide for generations to come.​
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Logging equipment moving logsWisconsin is home to some of the best managed and most sustainable forests in the world. These forests serve many functions such as providing clean air, clean water, and wildlife habitat. Wisconsin’s forests also foster outdoor education efforts and support recreation and tourism. In addition, products utilized as a result of forest management activities feed society’s growing demand for wood and paper. This supports a sector that provides over 59,000 jobs and contributes $22.9 billion worth of goods to the economy in Wisconsin alone!

The average person uses 4.5 pounds of wood per day, or about 1,600 pounds per year. This includes many of the paper-based products such as toilet paper and disposable dinnerware, but it also includes many additives found in the foods and cosmetics we use each and every day. In addition, our homes, offices, and schools are built and furnished with countless wood items, many of which are crafted in Wisconsin. What is a surprise to many is that even with such a dependence on goods made from trees, Wisconsin forests actually grow almost twice as much timber than what is harvested!

Many state forestry programs, universities, and federal agencies have personnel responsible for providing technical assistance, training, and outreach to support the utilization and marketing of forest products. These individuals, often called “utilization and marketing (U&M) specialist,” work with public and private entities to develop forest products markets. In addition, they bring awareness to the importance of the forestry sector and help businesses be more efficient users of wood.

Since U&M specialists provide support to many different groups, it is important to have a well-rounded knowledge of forestry practices, manufacturing principles, and business development techniques. One day, a U&M specialist may be performing a productivity improvement study for a sawmill and another day they may be connecting regional or even international customers with Wisconsin wood suppliers. Strong communication skills are a must as many presentations are not only given to businesses but also to government officials, foresters, and even schools. It never hurts to get some experience in field forestry and in a production environment like a factory or mill. Also, picking up woodworking as a hobby can introduce wood identification and the ability to perform quick math.

For more information about careers in the forest products sector or to learn more about wood-using businesses in your area, contact:

Collin Buntrock
Forest Products Services Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 715-365-4704
Email: collin.buntrock@wisconsin.gov

Teachers and students pose in Pulaski School ForestThe Pulaski School Forest provides an unmatched learning environment for students to participate in hands-on, minds-on activities just a short walk from the community’s middle school building.

Recently, on a beautiful fall day, students visited the school forest to learn about sustainable forest management practices from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources foresters Steve Kaufman and Eric Peterson. Pulaski Community Middle School teachers Dave Landers and Terry Erdmann, who use the school forest regularly, took students to the forest to learn how Kaufman and Peterson use their knowledge of the different elements of the ecosystem to manage the health of Wisconsin’s forests.

The foresters taught students the modern methods of harvesting trees and the process of correctly selecting trees for harvest in order to maintain the health of the forest. To demonstrate the need for forest management, Kaufman asked several students to pretend to be growing trees, gradually standing from a low crouch and extending their arms to mimic the growth of trees. As the students ‘grew’ they took up more space, crowding each other and effectively demonstrating the need for more space to remain healthy. Kaufman explained the details of how trees are individually chosen for harvest and explained the tools used in their daily work.

Both foresters stressed the need for management and that harvesting trees, when done responsibly, benefits Wisconsin’s forests and wildlife as well as the state’s economy. Did you know that in addition to pulp, paper, and lumber, trees contribute to the production of chewing gum, toothpaste, and a variety of medicines?

Forester Eric Peterson taught students about forest succession and silvaculture and discussed the importance of knowing the volume of trees being harvested – including measuring cords and board feet – in order to determine the value of the entire harvest.

The foresters also covered challenges facing the forest. Students learned that browsing deer limit tree regeneration and that invasive species like earthworms, honeysuckle, and the emerald ash borer threaten the health of the forest ecosystem.

Prior to meeting the students both foresters marked trees for a real harvest that will take place in the school forest next year. And, the insight and introduction into the foresters’ world – learning to use Biltmore sticks and prisms, how to mark trees for harvest, and how to determine basal area – has been put to good use as smaller groups of students participated in determining which trees need to be cut and which should be left to grow so that Pulaski students can continue to enjoy a healthy and vibrant school forest.

From providing a location to observe the changing seasons to create phenology wheels to learning about Wisconsin’s forest products industry, the potential to learn in the school forest is unlimited. To learn more about how the LEAF program can enrich your school forest visit our school forest website​.

Wildland firefighter shows students his truckHave you ever thought about getting paid to help protect and manage our forests?  Finding your path to becoming a forester with wildland firefighting responsibilities starts with loving the outdoors and of course, TREES! If this field interests you, it’s never too early to start planning your career.

Besides knowing about trees and forestry practices, you need to learn about all of the other parts of the forest ecosystem. We wouldn’t have trees without soil so some foresters study soil science. And we wouldn’t have soil without rocks and wind and rain and ice, so some study geology and meteorology. And we wouldn’t have big bucks in the forest if it weren’t for properly managed forests, so knowing about birds, insects and all kinds of animals, is important for foresters learn too.

Math is also another important aspect of being a forester to be able to measure the trees. This is beneficial for knowing how big around and how tall and how old and how crowded the trees are in a forest. That information helps make management decisions, like is it time to cut some trees? Do we need to prune the trees so they grow straight and tall? Do we need to plant more trees? Do we need to take action against an insect or disease that threatens the trees? These are all decisions a forester helps to make.

Many foresters in Wisconsin also have wildland firefighting responsibilities, so it’s important to have experience in both fields.  To become a wildland firefighter, it’s important to understand some key fire management principles and how the weather plays an important role in how fire behaves.  Gaining an understanding of fire suppression tactics and how specialized equipment is used in forest fire suppression is also important. Knowing about the Incident Command System, which is used to organize resources in major natural resource disasters, is another job duty.

Let’s not forget, you have to be in good physical shape!  Hauling heavy fire equipment, laying hose and digging fireline can be grueling work.  Foresters with fireline responsibilities must meet the moderate level “work capacity test,” or physical fitness standard, by completing two miles wearing a twenty-five pound pack in under thirty minutes.

Most professional foresters have at least a bachelor’s degree in forestry. Many also have a Master’s Degree. So if you want to be a forester, you should plan to go to college. While you’re in high school, take lots of science, math and English classes. Summer jobs or volunteer work in natural resource management give you valuable real-life experiences.

Some foresters work for the government including Federal, State, County or City. Other foresters work for companies like lumber companies or paper companies. Some foresters are private consultants, who work for themselves or a consulting company.

Good things about being a forester:

  • Get to wear jeans and boots to work almost every day!
  • Spend time outdoors all year round
  • Work with landowners who want to learn and care for their forests
  • Talk to children about the benefits of trees and forests
  • Show how to properly plant and care for tree seedlings
  • Help decide when the time is right to cut trees down
  • Protect lives, property and natural resources from wildfires

Challenging things about being a forester:

  • Meeting people who think forests are a waste of land
  • Seeing a forest that is not properly managed
  • Witnessing forest products being wasted
  • Seeing a forest destroyed by fire, insects, disease or human development
  • Wildfires are unpredictable and can sometimes result in an irregular work schedule
  • Fighting fires is a rewarding, but sometimes, a very dangerous job

For more information about becoming a forester and wildland firefighter or to connect with a forestry professional in your area, contact:

Catherine Koele
Wildfire Prevention Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 715-356-5211 x208
Email: catherine.koele@wisconsin.gov

Check out these valuable resources:

Wisconsin is home to some of the best managed and most sustainable forests in the world. These forests serve many functions such as providing clean air, clean water, and wildlife habitat.  Wisconsin’s forests also foster outdoor education efforts and support recreation and tourism. In addition, products utilized as a result of forest management activities feed society’s growing demand for wood and paper. This supports a sector that provides over 59,000 jobs and contributes $22.9 billion worth of goods to the economy in Wisconsin alone!

The average person uses 4.5 pounds of wood per day, or about 1,600 pounds per year. This includes many of the paper-based products such as toilet paper and disposable dinnerware, but it also includes many additives found in the foods and cosmetics we use each and every day.  In addition, our homes, offices, and schools are built and furnished with countless wood items, many of which are crafted in Wisconsin. What is a surprise to many is that even with such a dependence on goods made from trees, Wisconsin forests actually grow almost twice as much timber than what is harvested!

Many state forestry programs, universities, and federal agencies have personnel responsible for providing technical assistance, training, and outreach to support the utilization and marketing of forest products. These individuals, often called “utilization and marketing (U&M) specialist,” work with public and private entities to develop forest products markets. In addition, they bring awareness to the importance of the forestry sector and help businesses be more efficient users of wood.

Since U&M specialists provide support to many different groups, it is important to have a well-rounded knowledge of forestry practices, manufacturing principles, and business development techniques. One day, a U&M specialist may be performing a productivity improvement study for a sawmill and another day they may be connecting regional or even international customers with Wisconsin wood suppliers. Strong communication skills are a must as many presentations are not only given to businesses but also to government officials, foresters, and even schools. It never hurts to get some experience in field forestry and in a production environment like a factory or mill. Also, picking up woodworking as a hobby can introduce wood identification and the ability to perform quick math.

For more information about careers in the forest products sector or to learn more about wood-using businesses in your area, contact:

Collin Buntrock
Forest Products Services Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 715-365-4704
Email: collin.buntrock@wisconsin.gov

What could be more fun than a job where you get to roam the forest studying insect and disease issues?!  Yes, this is a real job.  Whether you are a forest health specialist, plant pest and disease specialist, invasive species specialist, forest entomologist (insects) or forest pathologist (fungi and diseases) your job is to determine what insects and diseases are attacking trees and provide advice on how to solve the problem.  Some of these jobs are federal (U.S. Department of Agriculture – Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and some are state (Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection).  Research and teaching jobs at universities are another option to investigate but require a slightly different skill set than what is described in this article.  Typical duties of a forest health professional include inspecting trees for insect or disease damage, surveying for insect and disease outbreaks, setting and monitoring insect traps and conducting research projects.

Forest health jobs typically require at least a college degree in biology, forestry, entomology, pathology or similar.  Many positions also require an advanced degree with expertise in forest entomology or pathology.  This will provide the necessary technical expertise to identify plants, insects and pathogens and knowledge of management strategies.  Technology skills are becoming increasingly important as well.  The ability to use GPS devices and GIS programs such as ArcView are becoming a key skill.  Communication skills are also critical.  You will work with a wide and varied audience and need the ability to communicate technical information to both your grandma and professional scientists and resource managers.  You must be able to efficiently flip between phone calls, email and face-to-face interactions.  Writing and presentation skills are also crucial.  Familiarity with pesticides and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are a plus.  And you better like working outdoors!  Some days are a perfect stroll through the woods.  Other days involve walking uphill through prickly plants and clouds of mosquitoes.  But almost all of us feel that any day in the woods is better than a day in the office.

For more information about what forest health professionals work on check out:

If you have questions about what skills you need and how to get them contact Mike to chat or get connected with a forest health professional in your area.

Mike Hillstrom
Forest Health Specialist – Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
Phone: 715-459-1371
Email: michael.hillstrom@wisconsin.gov