6 MISC. PUBLICATION 2 4 9, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



is part of the forester's regular duties in many positions. Nearly every for- 

 ester, whether consciously or not, is helping to mold public sentiment. 

 Hence his job requires ability to meet people and gain the confidence of the 

 public. 



In public forestry the spirit of service is a most important requisite for 

 success. It is the spirit that causes men to place the interests of society and 

 of the group at large above the interests of one's self or of the few. It is 

 exemplified in the policy that governs the administration of our national 

 forests — of so managing the forests as to promote the greatest good for the 

 greatest number of our people in the long run. 



Conservation of our natural resources is today one of the greatest internal 

 problems of the Nation, and conservation with use is the essence of forestry. 

 The forest is a resource that must be conserved; it is also an agency for the 

 conservation of other natural resources such as soil, water, wildlife, and 

 forage. The work done in forest conservation in this country has been 

 accomplished by men imbued with the spirit of service and believing whole- 

 heartedly in what they are doing. The task of carrying this work forward 

 demands men capable of overcoming great obstacles. 



THE FIELD OF WORK 



Foresters are now employed by the Federal Government ; the States, most 

 of which have forestry departments; municipalities; lumber companies and 

 private owners of timberland; wood-using industries; educational institu- 

 tions; and organizations conducting research or promotional work in forestry. 



Up to the close of the first decade of this century, the United States Gov- 

 ernment was the principal employer of American foresters. In 1912 it was 

 officially estimated that 60 percent of the foresters in this country were in 

 Federal Government work and that fully 95 percent had been so engaged 

 at one time or another. Since then the States, municipalities, educational 

 institutions, and private corporations have absorbed large numbers of grad- 

 uating foresters. However, with the expansion of the Federal Government's 

 forestry activities in recent years, it still remains the largest employer of 

 trained foresters. 



Although the majority of professional foresters now in Federal Govern- 

 ment employ are in the United States Forest Service, a number of foresters 

 are employed in the management of forest lands on Indian reservations 

 under the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior. 

 Foresters are also employed in the National Park Service, the Bureau of 

 Land Management, and Fish and Wildlife Service of the same Department ; 

 in the Income Tax Unit of the Treasury; in the Tennessee Valley Authority ; 

 in the Department of Commerce; and in the Soil Conservation Service of 

 the Department of Agriculture. 



Careers in the Forest Service 



The Forest Service is proud of its spirit of public service. In employing 

 new personnel it seeks to obtain men and women who are not only properly 

 trained for the work but have high ideals and a strong desire to serve the 

 public. 



