There are many people who want to become a forest ranger. Few people actually end up working as a forest ranger. That’s because there are only a limited number of jobs available. Those who want to become a forest ranger can opt for a forestry course. Someone benefits even more when, for example, he decides to follow a policy-based program such as public administration or specialist training, for example to BOA.
Many people have a very romantic image of working as forest rangers. Before them they see a picture of them walking around in the forest all day, spying on squirrels and occasionally chopping up a rotten tree. With that image in mind, many of them start training to become forest rangers, but in practice there are ultimately few jobs available. The work also varies per job and employer, but the basics are the same. The general duties of a forest ranger primarily include supervising and enforcing the regulations in a specific area of nature reserve. A forester makes regular rounds inside and ensures that everything runs according to the rules. If necessary, he can issue a ticket.
The forester provides information
Furthermore, an increasingly important part of the forest ranger’s work is to provide information. This can be expressed, for example, by giving guest lessons at schools or organizing forest walks. It is also a forest ranger for mapping the flora and fauna in their management area. When a new plant appears somewhere, which for example belongs to the exotic species, the forester is usually one of the first to notice it. Finally, a forester determines when a particular tree is ready to be cut down. Pruning shrubs and smaller vegetation is often a task for which he is also responsible.
Forest ranger training
There are several courses that someone can follow to become a forest ranger. For example, the Forestry training is highly recommended. This is taught at universities of applied sciences in Wageningen and Dronten. Other similar courses are the Forest and Nature Management study at higher vocational education level. It is also recommended to follow various other courses if you want to become a forest ranger. More and more responsibilities are being shifted to the forester. This way you distinguish yourself from other candidates and that is important when there are many candidates and few jobs. As an extra specialization you could opt for training as a game warden, communication, first aid or special investigative officer. Most forest rangers will work for the Provincial Landscapes, such as the Geldersch Landschap or Landschap Overijssel. For example, those who are lucky can go to a private estate. However, less and less money is available for this type of work, partly as a result of the economic crisis. Having your own caretaker or forester is quickly seen as a superfluous luxury when cutbacks have to be made somewhere.
Salary of a forester
The salary of a forest ranger is not extremely high, roughly around the average income. When a forest ranger is mainly engaged in an executive role, he can earn about a maximum of three thousand euros per month. At the same time, he is usually employed by a semi-governmental organization, so the terms of employment are good. That means many days off and good dismissal protection. When a forest ranger also carries out more policy-related activities, his wages can rise quickly. There is an increasing demand for a combination of multiple functions. Forestry training combined with public administration can therefore give an extra increased chance of finding a job.