Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Michigan

A forest and conservation technician is someone who works under foresters and may also supervise forest and conservation workers. They help manage forests and urban wooded areas, counting and surveying trees, taking measurements, collecting and analyzing data, and making decisions about removing trees or planting seedlings.

In Michigan, there are plenty of forested areas, owned by the federal, state and local governments as well as private companies and individuals. They need forest technicians to do both analytical and physical work to manage this natural resource.

What You Need to Work as a Forest and Conservation Technician in Michigan

There are no statewide requirements for working as a forest technician in Michigan, but most employers will only hire those with an associate’s degree at a minimum. With this two-year degree you will be qualified to begin working as a conservation technician without needing very much on-the-job training. Michigan does not have any licensing or certification for forest technicians.

Degree Programs for Forest Technology in Michigan

The best way to get started in this career in Michigan is to find and enroll in a related academic program. Look for a two-year degree program in forest technology. Another option is to complete a four-year program in forestry. You have a couple of options in Michigan:

• Gogebic Community College, Ironwood. In the heavily-wooded upper peninsula of Michigan you can learn forest technology in a hands-on setting. This associate’s degree program will prepare you to work as a forest and conservation technician or to transfer your credits to a four-year university and apply them toward a forestry degree.
• Michigan State University, East Lansing. Michigan’s largest university offers a four-year degree in forestry through its College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. You can also earn a certificate, which takes less than a year, in forest carbon science, policy and management.

Job Outlook and Salaries in Michigan

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth in forestry-related careers is slow across the country. In Michigan growth is flat, but there are still jobs available each year for qualified technicians as some workers leave their positions due to retirement and other reasons. Michigan is estimated to have about 60 jobs in this field available each year.

The average annual salary for a forest and conservation technician in Michigan is $38,350. The hourly average rate is $18.44. Technicians earning the most in the state can make up to and over $54,490 per year. To earn more in this career you can train for specialized skills, such as forest firefighting, or take on leadership roles.

Working in Forestry Technology

Forest and conservation technicians get to spend most of their time on the job out in the woods. If you love the outdoors and enjoy being physically active, you’ll thrive in this position. Expect some physical labor such as clearing brush, planting seedlings and removing dead or damaged branches and trees. However, technicians also do scientific and data collection work, while they supervise forest and conservation workers tackling the more physical jobs.

In Michigan, look for jobs with federal or state forests. Local governments also hire forest technicians to manage urban wooded areas and parks. Private employers, such as lumber companies, tree farms and orchards, also need forest technicians to help keep their trees healthy and to manage their resources.