Forestry is an exciting and rewarding career field, in which practitioners work to solve today's pressing natural resource and environmental challenges. Graduates of the Forest Technology program can become career-ready in two years and learn fundamental forestry skills, techniques, and science. Students are introduced to forest ecology, silviculture, wildlife ecology, forest mapping techniques, wood science, and timber harvesting practices. They learn how to inventory natural resources; design, plan, and supervise forest harvesting operations; harvest timber and mill lumber; map and survey forestland; develop a forest management plan; and identify and mitigate forest health issues –all while applying principles of conservation and sustainability. Students interact with a wide variety of professionals as part of their coursework and often go on to work in wood products-related industries, public forestland management agencies, private forestry consulting firms, urban tree care companies, and a range of conservation organizations.
After obtaining an associate degree in forest technology, qualified students may then transfer to the university's accredited four-year forestry program and obtain a bachelor's degree in two additional years with a full-time course of study or move right into an exciting career.
Career Opportunities
Forestry consultant, forest fire control and use technician, mapping technician, geographic information systems/global positioning systems (GIS/GPS) technician, timber and log buyer, log scaler, lumber grader, sawmill technician, arborist, urban tree care specialist, timber cruiser/forest inventory technician, or forestry equipment/products sales representative.

