Root for Thought

February 5, 2026

The beauty of forestry is that it encompasses most careers and fields that are emerging today. The importance of protecting andsustaining forests and the environment relates to the development of the workforce. Many students who study forestry typically want to give back to their communities and be part of an industry that contributes to climate resilience and sustainability. A student can find themselves studying forestry to become a botanist, a wildland firefighter, an environmental educator, or a heavy equipment operator. This list can go on, but the roots go deeper into the fundamentals of why forestry is essential for food, climate, economics, and our own well-being.

There is an overlap between forestry and fire, which can help create more opportunities for students to explore and learn about natural resource management. What most forestry students do not realize right away is that they are becoming environmental stewards of the land. We are now in a place where forestry is imperative and is being invested in. With significant wildfires, droughts, and diseases that have happened across the state of California, it is an important reminder of what we have left to lose. By entering forestry, the impact goes into a full circle. This means that biodiversity can flourish in all aspects of society, from people to trees, and provide access, equity, and resources for all.

The people and the land go hand in hand, and to be in relationship with the land means learning to tend to ourselves and what gives us life. There comes a responsibility to ensure that these forests are protected and preserved for future generations to come. This means creating the next generation of workforce and empowering them to take action in whichever field they choose to enter. When you are starting off in forestry, it might seem small, but what you are contributing to is far greater than just yourself. You are protecting communities, improving climate resilience, fostering hope into action, and embarking on a journey with many others who share your values, because we cannot do everything alone. This is what forestry means: it revolves around building a strong, meaningful workforce of talented, thoughtful, skilled environmental stewards who know that for the forests to sustain us, we must return the favor.