Becoming a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Technician in Maryland

Working as a forest and conservation technician requires a love of the outdoors and natural environments and a penchant for math and science. If the above applies to you, you might consider this a viable career option.

Forest and conservation technicians work under foresters and scientists, assisting them in protecting and studying forests and other related ecosystems. Although job duties may vary depending on employment, some possible tasks may include educating both industrial organizations and the public, mapping and surveying forested lands, issuing and enforcing permits, preventing and suppressing forest fires, collecting and compiling data and planting seedlings for reforesting.

Forest and Conservation Technician Regulations in Maryland

Forest and conservation technicians require an two-year associate’s degree at minimum. Licensing is not required for forest and conservation technicians; however, for those who wish to advance their education to a baccalaureate level, licensing is mandatory in Maryland and can be obtained through Maryland’s Department of Labor.

In addition to a Bachelor of Science from a school approved by the board or accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF), applicants must have completed two years of field work prior to applying for licensure. Foresters with a bachelor’s degree may also pursue a Certified Forester designation through the SAF.

Forest and Conservation Technician Training in Maryland

Several universities in the state of Maryland offer forestry and environmental programs sufficient for a career as a forest and conservation technician. Possible choices for prospective students include:

• Garrett College in McHenry offers an Associate of Applied Science in Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology. Graduates will be well prepared for employment in natural resources-related fields and have an understanding of the relationships among the many parts of a complex ecosystem. Education includes instruction on the current socioeconomic and political landscape, which affect the ability to protect natural resources. Emphasis is placed on wildlife, fisheries and forest management. Students will participate in small hands-on, outdoor classes and be given opportunities for employment and volunteer activities.
• Towson University in Towson offers a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and another in Environmental Studies. The programs focus on future sustainability, and graduates will be able to enter a range of environmental careers as scientists, policy-makers and industry representatives. The curriculum prepares students to become problem-solvers, working on innovative solutions for a world beset with climate change, population expansion the depletion of natural resources.
• University of Maryland’s College of Agricultural and Natural Resources in College Park offers A Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science and Technology. Students may choose from one of four concentrations: Ecological Technology Design, Ecosystem Health, Soil and Watershed Science or Natural Resource Management. Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers or graduate studies that focus on environmental problems and solutions.

Maryland Salary and Job Growth Projections

2018 data show the mean hourly wage for forest and conservation technicians in Maryland to be $20.92, with an average yearly wage of $43,500.

In 2016, 190 forest and conservation technicians were employed in Maryland, with the projected number for 2026 at 180, placing the projected growth rate within the state at a negative -5.3 percent. This compares unfavorably to the national projected growth rate of 3.9 percent.

Forest and Conservation Technician Employment Opportunities in Maryland

In Maryland, forest and conservation technicians find work in various public and private industries. Some possible employers include the State of Maryland, Job Corps, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Anne Arundel County Forestry Board, Patriot Natural Resources and Maryland Department of Natural Resources.