Sustainable Management of Forest Landscapes

edediah Smith State Park. Image courtesy and copyright CalParksWhat is a forester? Is it simply one that grows and cuts down trees? It can be, but it can also be so much more. Forests are dynamic landscapes that require intelligent decision making and planning. A degree from the Forestry and Watershed Management Department at Humboldt State can equip you to indeed grow, cut down and replant and re-grow trees (Production Management Option) but you can also learn how to manage forests to make them more fire resistant (Wildland Fire Option) or to accelerate old growth characteristics or other intrinsic values of forests (Forest Conservation Option). In addition, you can learn how to better protect and manage soils (Forest Soils Option) and protect and restore streams and watersheds draining from forests (Forest Hydrology Option). If you enjoy and want to work in forests and want to learn how to properly manage them this is your major! For more information see these presentations: PDF: PPT: Flash (Requires Flash Player)

Your Future

Forestry students on a field trip.

A degree in Forestry from Humboldt State is a hot ticket to a career in forestry with diverse employers from State Parks all the way to Private timber companies providing employment opportunities for our Graduates. According to the job placement rates published by the HSU Career Center, Forestry majors have the second highest hire rate among all majors at HSU

The Forestry and Watershed Management Department offers undergraduate degrees in Forestry with four options as noted above but also offers Graduate Degrees in Natural Resources in Forestry and Watershed Management. In addition, there are several Minor and Certificate programs.

The hallmark of forestry courses are numerous field labs that teach you hands on skills that are essential to the practice of forestry. In addition to a Redwood Forest on and near campus, numerous opportunities exist nearby for field labs on Private timberland as well as state and federal forests and parks. We have numerous facilities including our own tree farm and on campus forest. An active Forestry Club along with the Society of American Foresters Student Chapter, Logging Sports Club as well as other clubs allow for a social life as full as you want to make it.