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 Tree and forest resourcesTrees have been called the ‘lungs of the planet.’They play a critical role in our ecosystem, but are an important resource in our day-to-day lives as well. The large majority of houses we live in are built with wood construction. And despite the advances in digital media, paper is still a necessity. |
Foresters
| Forests are both an important part of the global ecosystem and an important resource of raw materials for lumber, paper, and fuelwood. Forests produce oxygen, filter rain- and groundwater, and provide habitats for many plant and animal species. Foresters manage these properties to ensure that forests continue to play these important roles, while also planning for the harvest and regeneration of trees. Trees are harvested not only to provide the materials for wood and pulp products, but also to create space for younger forest habitats (which support different species from older forests), and also to thin tightly spaced trees that create a significant fire risk. Foresters determine which areas will be harvested, which will be replanted, and which will be protected. |
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Foresters
| (see above) |
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Field scientists
| Field scientists create inventories and map natural resource boundaries. They are also called in to assess land being considered for development and weigh in on conservation/development planning issues.Scientists analyze whether clearing a piece of land would create soil erosion, threaten indiginous wildlife, or effect water quality and other resources. |
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Materials engineers
| More than 90% of the homes built in the United States are made of structural wood frames. Consumers drive the use of wood fiber with a strong demand for new housing and a wide range of wood-based consumer products. Materials engineers design new basic materials and building systems that have lower impacts on natural ecosystems. |
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Regional planners
| Regional planners identify ‘zones’ and propose specific types of use (such as housing, commercial, industrial, public access) for each zone. Most new development happens on land that’s already clear of trees - primarily farmer’s fields. However, occassionally a new development, such as a new ski slope, will be proposed for a forested area. Some regional planners work for state and local governments. Others work as independent consultants and are hired by businesses to do feasibility studies on their development plans. |
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Economists
| When there is a question about how to use a piece of land, or when a specific proposal comes forward, economists do financial analyses to determine the impact of one course of action versus another. Most situations create complex trade-offs. A new housing development results in increased tax income for a town, but also increased costs to provide utilities and decreased natural resources. Economists compare the financial impact of each option. |
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Federal, state, and local officials
| Although all of the above people make proposals about land use, the final determination of how land will be used usually resides with government agents. They write and enforce zoning ordinances - the rules about how land will be used. These decisions are often made in conjunction with elected officials based on economic and environmental analyses of development consequences. |
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Arborists
| Arborists generally take care of individual trees or collections of trees, such as city parks or arboretums. Some own their own business and service home-owners. Others are employed by cities to manage trees in the public domain. A smaller number of arborists manage historically important collections of trees within arboretums. |
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Foresters
| Forests are both an important part of the global ecosystem and an important resource of raw materials for lumber, paper, and fuelwood. Foresters plan for the harvest and regeneration of trees to provide the materials for these products, while ensuring that forests continue to play their crucial role in the environment. Foresters play an important role in ensuring the next generation of trees is planted. |
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Nursery managers and farmers
| Nursery managers grow trees for sale to individuals, landscape contractors, businesses, and governments. Most trees are grown for re-planting, however the annual sale of cut trees for the holiday season is a significant part of many farmers’ income. |
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Landscape architects
| Landscape architects look at a specific site and determine how it will be designed, including the way the ground will slope and the locations of walkways, trees and other plants. They design city parks, college campuses, housing developments, zoos and theme parks, private gardens, and many other types of spaces. |
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Materials engineers
| The way we use wood for building construction has a large impact on the amount of tree resources we consume. Materials engineers design new basic materials and building systems that have lower impacts on natural ecosystems. In some cases, this involves reducing the amount of wood needed. Other times, engineers will find a way to use a different type of tree that’s less critical to an ecosystem. |
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Production managers and purchasers
| Building construction is responsible for roughly 7% of the Gross Domestic Product in the US each year. Production managers and purchasers are involved in corporate management, forest products marketing, and product distribution. The integration of technical understanding with general business acumen guides successful enterprise and the efficient use of resources. |
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