Forest and Conservation Workers

Forest and conservation workers improve the quality of forests, rangelands, and wetlands. Under the supervision of conservation scientists and foresters, they develop, maintain, and protect forests.

Duties

Forest and conservation workers typically do the following:

• Plant seedlings to reforest land
• Clear brush and debris from trails, roadsides, and camping areas
• Count and measure trees during tree-measuring efforts
• Select or cut trees according to markings, sizes, types, or grades
• Protect plants from disease by spraying trees or injecting vegetation with insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides
• Identify and remove diseased or undesirable plant life or trees
• Help prevent and suppress forest fires
• Maintain equipment to ensure that it operates properly

Forest and conservation workers do physical tasks to maintain and improve the quality of a forest. They use a variety of equipment, including digging and planting tools to plant seedlings and power saws to cut down diseased trees.

Some work on tree farms or orchards, where their duties include planting and cultivating many kinds of trees. Their duties vary with the type of farm and may include planting seedlings or spraying to control weeds and insects.

Some forest and conservation workers are employed by forest nurseries, where they sort through tree seedlings, discarding the ones that do not meet standards. Others gather woodland products, such as decorative greenery, tree cones, moss, and other wild plant life. Still others tap trees to make syrup or chemicals.

Forest and conservation workers who are employed by or are under contract with government agencies may clear brush and debris from trails, roadsides, and camping areas. They may clean restrooms and other public facilities at recreational sites and campgrounds.

These workers also may help to suppress forest fires. For example, they may construct firebreaks, which are gaps in vegetation that can help slow or stop the progress of a fire. They also sometimes respond to forest emergencies.

Forest and conservation workers are supervised by conservation scientists and foresters, who direct their work and evaluate progress.

Forest and conservation workers held about 10,800 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of forest and conservation workers were as follows:

Forest and conservation workers work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations and in all types of weather. Workers may wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hardhats, safety glasses, and coveralls.

Their work is often physically demanding. In addition, forest and conservation workers may have to walk long distances through dense woods while carrying heavy equipment.

Injuries and Illnesses

Forest and conservation workers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. The work may be especially dangerous for those whose primary duties involve fire suppression. To protect against injury, forest and conservation workers must wear PPE and follow safety procedures.

Work Schedules

Most forest and conservation workers are employed full time, although part-time or seasonal work is common. Responding to an emergency may require workers to work additional hours at any time of day.

Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive on-the-job training to attain competency.

The median annual wage for forest and conservation workers was $43,680 in May 2024.

Employment of forest and conservation workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.

About 2,000 openings for forest and conservation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.