Conservation scientists and foresters manage the overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.

Conservation scientists and foresters work for governments (federal, state, or local), on privately owned lands, or in social advocacy organizations.

Conservation scientists and foresters typically need a bachelor’s degree in forestry or a related field. 

Employment of conservation scientists and foresters is projected to grow 7 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Heightened demand for American timber and wood pellets will help increase the overall job prospects for conservation scientists and foresters.

This occupation supported 34,100 jobs in 2012 and 36,600 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 7.3%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 2.9% in 2022 to 35,100 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 34,300, compared with an observed value of 36,600, 6.7% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 7.9% in 2024 to 39,300 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 35,300 jobs for 2024, 10.2% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.