The Applied Forest Management program leading to an Associate Degree in Science is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The program is designed to prepare students for careers in forestry. Students in the program study basic forestry, such as tree identification, tree measurement, forest ecology and silviculture. UMFK faculty members have worked closely with forestry professionals in industry and the Maine Forest Service to develop a curriculum that satisfies the needs of the employer. UMFK graduates provide skills that are the foundation of good forestry and conservation in Maine. Some of these skills include boundary surveying; forest inventory and mapping; and supervision of harvesting, thinning, and planting crews; as well as fire suppression, emergency management and other skills. UMFK’s forestry graduates have a broad forestry education and graduate with many marketable skills. Graduates find work as forest technicians, foresters, and forest rangers. Many graduates work in forest operations and several are GIS specialists. Potential employers include consulting foresters; land management companies; forest industry; and the forestry, conservation, and agriculture departments of the state and federal governments. Presently, the job-to-student ratio is very high, and a number of UMFK students have received permanent job offers prior to their graduation. Summer internships also are numerous. UMFK Applied Forestry Management graduates are fully-qualified to work as rangers for the Maine Forest Service, or for federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S.D.A. Forest Service.
The AS in Applied Forestry Management has established pathways where it forms part of UMFK Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Management (BS) or in Conservation Law Enforcement (BS) . In consultation with one’s advisor, BS degrees in other fields such as Criminal Justice, Biology, or Environmental Studies can also utilize the AS degree as part of a BS completed within four years.
Please note, many of UMFK’s forestry courses are field-oriented and require the student to possess mobility in a field setting. Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with documented limitations; nevertheless, all students must be able to visit field sites and should realize that employment in forestry often requires a physical fitness exam by the employing agency.
The AS Applied Forestry Management degree will be awarded upon the successful completion of the program requirements with a minimum grade of B for First Aid and chainsaw safety testing and a grade of C in FOR 290 and FOR 332 , and fulfillment of the University of Maine at Fort Kent graduation requirements.
Upon completion of the program, you will be awarded an Associate of Science degree with a major in applied forest management. After graduation you will be eligible to register as intern foresters and after four years of supervised work experience, to take the Board of Licensure of Foresters Examinations.
Applied Forest Management AS - Program Details
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