What Foresters Do
What Professional Foresters Do
Professional Foresters are responsible for looking after Ontario’s forests. Registered Professional Foresters and Associate Members of the OPFA form part of the professional forestry team responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating all activities related to forest management. They make decisions such as when, where and how to harvest and reforest areas. They also ensure the protection of forest values including fish, wildlife and water.
The complete definition of what a Professional Forester does is set out in legislation. In summary it includes anything to do with the development, management, conservation and sustainability of forests, including urban forests, which requires post secondary education and experience (professional expertise and judgement), unless it is specifically excluded (e.g. other professions working within their scope of practice). For precise details refer to the Professional Foresters Act, 2000.
OPFA has over 900 members of which approximately 600 are licensed to practice in Ontario today. Today’s foresters pursue careers to ensure a healthy future for both people and the environment. Careers range from practical day to day management of our forests to conducting cutting-edge scientific research in a variety of forestry related disciplines. Traditional forestry careers have included forest management for the production of timber, pulp and paper and other wood products and overseeing timber harvesting operations.
Job Options
The following list of job titles is a sample of the diverse and varied jobs available to Registered Professional Foresters:
- Forestry Manager, Operations
- Forestry Superintendent
- Forest Ecologist
- Forest Habitat Specialist
- Area Forester
- Planning Forester
- Forest Health Officer
- Divisional Forester
- Urban Forester
- Silvicultural Forester
- Forest Analyst
- Compliance & Enforcement Coordinator
- Integrated Resource Management Officer
- Community Forest Manager
- County Forester
- Operations Forester
- Consulting Forester
- Woodlands Manager
- Chief Forester