Forestry

The US Forest Service was established in 1905 by congress to provide quality water and timber for the United States. The mission of USFS is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands for future generations. Over the years, the Forest Service has grown to include career pathways like wildlife biology, fire fighting, and social science research. Including temporary and permanent, the USFS typically has over 40,000 employees, with career paths ranging from a wildland firefighter to a public affairs specialist.

In the videos below, learn more about two USFS employees and their professional journeys.

Jon Benson

Meet Jon, he focuses on recreation and wilderness. Although there are many, a favorite aspect of his job is getting outside and paddling a canoe or go hiking!

Bethany Ketchem

Meet Bethany, a forest hydrologist, she carefully analyzes how the actions of the USFS impacts water.

Career Cards

After gaining an insight into USFS, please take some time to look over the Natural Inquirer  Scientist & Engineer Card Series. Pick two cards from different categories and compare and contrast the positions.

Furthermore, if you're interested in learning more about career paths in forestry, check out Find Your Path from the Oregon Forest Resource Institute, it dives deep into forests, and the different occupations stemming from this critical natural resource.