How to Become a Forest and Wildlife Conservation Worker in Arkansas

Forest and conservation workers help keep trees and forests healthy. They may work in urban or rural areas and for national and state forests, landscapers, arborists, orchards or farms. Forest and conservation work is physically demanding, but it may be an excellent career choice for those who enjoy spending time outdoors and are looking for an active career.

As a forest and conservation worker, you may be responsible for spotting and treating or removing diseased trees, helping to prevent forest fires, keeping campgrounds and trails neat and safe, and trimming trees with specialized equipment. Most forest and conservation workers are supervised by forest technicians or foresters, who have additional training.

Qualifications for Working in Arkansas

You must have a high school diploma or GED to begin working as a forest or conservation worker, and no additional certification or education is required. Employers typically offer on-the-job training to teach workers what they need to know. However, receiving formal training in forestry and natural resources can make you a more competitive applicant and qualify you for work as a forest technician.

Available Educational Programs

If you are interested in becoming a forest technician or want to position yourself as a more competitive applicant, you may want to consider receiving a certificate or associate’s degree in forestry, conservation or natural resources. The following Arkansas programs may be suitable for you:

• Cossatot Community College. Cossatot Community College offers certificates and associate’s degrees in agricultural business, education and science. Students in each program have the option to continue their education at Southern Arkansas University or Arkansas Tech University to receive a bachelor’s degree.
• Southern Arkansas University Tech. At this school, students in the Associate of Applied Science in Forestry Harvesting program learn how to work with trees, logs and maps, timber cruising and other skills necessary to the logging and forestry industries. Classroom instruction is supplemented with trips to timber properties for hands-on experience.

Job Growth and Salary Expectations

Forest and conservation work in Arkansas is slowly growing. The Projections Managing Partnership estimates that the field will increase by 3.7 percent in the 10 years to 2026. This translates to about 30 jobs available in the state each year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, forest and conservation workers make about $32,420 per year. Forest and conservation technicians in Arkansas, who have associate’s degrees and take on additional responsibilities at work, are paid an average annual salary of $46,020.

Finding a Forestry Job in Arkansas

Forest and conservation workers are typically employed by state, local and federal governments if they choose to work on public lands. Tree farms, orchards, arborists and landscapers, all of which work in the private sector, may also have jobs available. In Arkansas, the majority of jobs for forest workers are located in Fayetteville and Conway, though workers can find jobs in other areas depending on their career goals. If you are seeking a rewarding, challenging career that allows you to make an impact on the environment, forest and conservation work may be an excellent option.