How to Become a Forest Ranger

Video Transcript

"Hello. My name is Officer Mike Roach. I currently work with the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources. Today I'd like to talk to you briefly about becoming a forest ranger. Most people would consider what I do in wildlife for law enforcement as a forest ranger but forest rangers have a very specific job. Their job is to manage our both state and national forests. They need to have at least a biological science degree in forestry or a natural resource related field. They need to be at least 21 years of age. Now to become a forest ranger you need to have a really good interest in natural resources. Your job as a forest ranger is to protect our environment. Protect our forests and make sure that the people that are using them both in recreational uses and for other uses such as logging or with grazing animals or in mining, that they do these things appropriately and do not harmfully affect our environment. Forest ranger is a very rewarding job. But it does require you to be very interested in natural resources and have that biological science degree. I think master’s degrees are also very applicable in this field. It's a very rewarding job. You get to work out in the environment. You get to see some beautiful landscapes and beautiful places. And you'll see some things that no one else gets to see in the environment. And it's a very good career."