Careers in Forestry

While the pop-culture icon of Minnesota boasts a red flannel shirt, giant axe, and blue bovine, today’s world of forestry is much more than the logging days of lore. With a passion for conservation and an affinity for trees, Tree Trust’s Community Forestry team hold degrees ranging from Geology and Geo-Physics to Horticulture and even Sociology. While not all forestry careers require a degree, most offer an opportunity to align an environmental passion with meaningful work. In our land of 10,000 (plus) trees there are almost as many ways to care for them. Curious about careers in forestry? Let’s explore some forestry career opportunities, starting from the ground up.

Grounds Worker

This is an entry-level position and is attainable with a high school diploma. Grounds workers are typically employed by a city’s public works or parks department or in the private sector. Responsibilities include processing brush through a chipper, supporting aerial lift operators, heavy equipment operators, or tree climbers, and performing overall site maintenance. The position may also involve landscaping and non-tree-related tasks, such as clearing snow, lawn maintenance, and other natural resource management work. If your goal is to become a climbing arborist, this is an excellent place to start. Many companies provide on-the-job training for this role, which can open the door to more advanced employment opportunities.

Climbing Arborist

A possible next step for a grounds worker is to become a climbing arborist. A climbing arborist is involved in all aspects of tree care. Primary responsibilities include pruning and removing trees in streets or parks. Additional tasks may involve planting trees, assessing hazardous trees, diagnosing issues, and managing pests. This role does not require an academic degree but does involve advanced industry training. Many climbing arborists level-up through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), which offers many advanced certifications including ISA Certified Arborist.

ISA Certified Arborist – An Important Certification

Tree Trust’s Community Forestry Coordinator Noah DeVlaminck recently became our newest ISA Certified Arborist! He shared what this achievement means to him. “Working at Tree Trust has given me lots of opportunities to get hands-on experience with the things I learned through university. I’ve had the opportunity to interact a lot with residents. I really enjoy learning and being able to share knowledge with other people through my job. I’ve also had the opportunity to interact with lots of professionals. To me, ISA certification builds credibility. Residents and different partners like to know they’re talking to someone that knows their stuff!” This certification can also be acquired through 3-4 year work experience in a related field.

Urban Forester

Urban (or Community) Forester is another exciting career option in forestry. This profession often requires a four-year degree in Forestry or a related discipline. Urban Foresters work to promote the health and sustainability of urban forests while bolstering the overall vitality of urban areas and their surrounding regions. Entry-level roles include positions such as Forestry Coordinators, specialists, or seasonal technicians. With a passion for trees and people and a commitment to learning about the urban forest, you can climb the career ladder—just like climbing a tree—by equipping yourself with the right tools. Although formal education helps, gaining field experience can qualify you to test for an ISA certification, which boosts your credibility as an arborist.

More Trees Please

There are many ways to steward our tree canopy through a Forestry career. Discover more jobs for professional foresters by visiting the ISA’s website, here. For many, working for trees in a green industry career provides meaningful, family-supporting work. Trees transform urban neighborhoods into refreshing oases, bringing joy to nature-craving city dwellers. Communities with lush canopies enjoy cleaner air, cooler temperatures, reduced energy bills, and increased wildlife habitat.

Love trees? 🌳 Join Tree Trust’s Community Forestry team to celebrate the beauty and joy of trees at our exciting upcoming events—don’t miss out!

Explore a Minnesota Icon

Stories of Minnesota’s legendary lumberjack, Paul Bunyan, and his trusty companion, Babe the Blue Ox, are woven into our state’s history. Legends say his massive footprints created our 10,000 lakes! Ready for a road trip? Hit the road to explore Minnesota’s lush forests and snap a selfie with one of the many Paul Bunyan statues along the way. Here’s a guide to get you started.