Forest and Conservation Technicians

Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.

What They Do

Forest and conservation technicians spend their days working directly with natural resources, combining outdoor fieldwork with data collection and analysis. They monitor the health of forests and rangelands by measuring tree growth, identifying plant and animal species, and assessing soil and water quality. Much of their time is spent hiking through diverse terrain to collect samples, mark timber boundaries, and document environmental conditions using GPS devices and mapping tools. They assist in implementing conservation plans by planting seedlings, controlling invasive species, and maintaining trails and forest roads.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Webster University, MO
$81,807
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Yale University, CT
$75,985
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(professional)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$75,666
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(bachelors)Columbia Southern University, AL
$74,546
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)American University, DC
$73,531
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Harvard University, MA
$72,276
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)University of San Francisco, CA
$69,495
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(bachelors)Bentley University, MA
$68,600
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)The University of Texas at Arlington, TX
$67,876
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Duke University, NC
$67,458
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA
$64,831
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Arizona State University Campus Immersion, AZ
$64,193
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Arizona State University Digital Immersion, AZ
$64,193
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, CA
$63,768
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)American Public University System, WV
$63,243
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$62,493
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, CA
$62,270
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Loyola Marymount University, CA
$62,270
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)California State University-Chico, CA
$62,270
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)San Francisco State University, CA
$62,270
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Stanford University, CA
$62,270
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Chapman University, CA
$62,270
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)San Jose State University, CA
$62,270
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)California State University-Los Angeles, CA
$62,270
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)California State University-Monterey Bay, CA
$62,270

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