Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Connecticut

Forest and conservation technicians work under the supervision of scientists and foresters, assisting with the protection and maintenance of forests and other natural environments. A person who is pursuing a career as a forest and conservation technician should have a strong background in math and science, especially natural sciences, and a love of spending time in nature. They work in a variety of private and public industries, performing diverse tasks such as patrolling and mapping various natural terrains, collecting specimens and assisting in experiments, planting and reforesting, preventing and suppressing forest fires, issuing permits, ensuring regulations are followed in harvesting operations and providing education to industries and to the public.

Forest and Conservation Technician Regulations in Connecticut

In Connecticut, forest and conservation technicians are required to have a minimum level of education and must possess an Associate in Applied Science degree (A.A.S.). For those who wish to pursue career advancement, the Society of American Foresters (SAF) offers a Certified Forester program. To qualify, one must have a bachelor’s degree in forestry or in a forestry-related field, including environmental studies, wildlife management, range management or ecology.

Forest and Conservation Technicians training Programs in Connecticut

Several options are available for those looking to pursue a degree and work as a forest and conservation technician in Connecticut; however, all are higher-level degrees. An Associate of Applied Science degree is not available within the state.

• University of New Haven in West Haven offers a four-year Bachelor of Science program in Environmental Science. Students will graduate with a solid understanding of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Emphasis is placed on the interconnectedness of various species in the environment and human communities. Hands-on experience is gained in a diversity of environments including a five-acre salt marsh on Long Island Sound, inland wetlands, lakes and streams, forest systems, New Hampshire’s White Mountains and at the Gerace Research Center on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas.
• University of Connecticut’s College of Agriculture, Health and the Environment in Storrs offers a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources. Students enrolled in the program may choose concentrations in Environmental Sustainability and Conservation, Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation, Sustainable Forest Resources or Water Resources and Climate. Study abroad programs are also available in the following disciplines: African Field Ecology, Water Systems of Rome: Ancient to Modern, Environmental and Natural Resources of China, Patagonia Biodiversity and Field Culture, and a semester-long Sustainable Food and Environmental Systems program in Florence, Italy.
• Yale Schools of Forestry and Environmental Studies in new Haven offers a Master of Forestry degree for those wishing to pursue careers in management and policy of forest resources. The curriculum focuses on complex relationships between science management and the policy of forest resources and offers internships, professional skills courses and various opportunities for students to improve their skill levels.

Forest and Conservation Technicians Salary and Job Growth in Connecticut

2018 data place the mean annual income for forest and conservation technicians at $47,150, with a mean hourly wage of $22.76.

Specific data for projected job growth in this field is unavailable for the state of Connecticut; however, nationwide data show a projected growth rate of 3.9 percent for forest and conservation technicians.

Connecticut Forest and Conservation Technician Employment

Forest and conservation technicians in Connecticut work for both public and private organizations. Potential employers include Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association (CRPA), U. S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Bartlett Tree Experts, Davey Tree and ACRT.