Growing a Forest-Focused Future: Building Careers in Stewardship, Fire, and Wood

Tags: Forest Futures, Forest Futures Salon Series Winter/Spring 2025, Forest Workforce, Workforce, Youth Development

California’s forests face a critical challenge — not just from climate change or fire, but from a shrinking workforce. Over the past two decades, the state’s forestry and fire workforce has declined by nearly 40%*, leaving thousands of essential jobs unfilled. At the same time, the need for qualified workers is only growing as wildfire threats increase.

But within this crisis lies a powerful opportunity: to grow careers that restore forests, protect communities, and build a more resilient rural economy.

In the fourth and final Forest Futures Salon on May 22, 2025, “Working in the Woods: Jobs in Forest, Fire, and Wood Innovation”, we explored what it means to build a career as a forest steward — someone who helps forests thrive, keeps people safe, and contributes to a healthier environment and economy.

A Career in Stewardship Starts Early

One of the clearest takeaways from the discussion was the importance of reaching young people early. “Equitability in this work is important,” said Missy Mohler, Executive Director of Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP). “Removing barriers to access — as well as maintain consistent touch points: throughout a student’s journey, from elementary through high school — so that interest in environmental work can grow alongside academic and social development.” 

One example of this hands-on learning approach is SWEP’s student-led service projects, where students engage directly in wildfire preparedness by helping clear brush, sticks, and flammable wood waste from the properties of neighbors in need. These projects not only foster meaningful community impact—often resulting in the removal of hundreds of pounds of woody biomass—but also inspire lasting student engagement. Many participants extend their efforts beyond the project itself, taking initiative to create defensible space around their own homes and remaining actively involved in community resilience.

When kids see themselves as part of the environment — and see tangible ways to contribute to it — they’re more likely to pursue careers involving environmental stewardship, which can include careers in forestry and firep. Supporting students’ through education, mentorship, and service learning is essential for building the workforce our forests need.

Thousands of Jobs — and a Pipeline to Fill Them

California’s forest sector generates nearly 37,000 job openings per year, including roles with strong wages and long-term impact. Many of these careers offer not just a paycheck, but a sense of purpose: working on the front lines of climate resilience, environmental restoration, and rural revitalization.

Courtney Cagle, Manager of Resilient Careers in Forestry for the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) shared that their Resilient Careers in Forestry Program aims “to scale regional training infrastructure to place 1,500 individuals into high-quality forestry jobs by September 2026.”

But, as Cagle noted, to reach those numbers, we need more than just training programs. We need mentorship opportunities, paid internships, and meaningful industry connections — especially for students from Indigenous, rural, and first-generation backgrounds. Cagle shared thoughts from student ambassador Francisco Saavedra: “Support us by investing in us early. We’re not just students; we’re future leaders and land stewards.”

Turning Forest Health into Economic Opportunity

While workforce training is key, another major piece of the puzzle is creating viable economic pathways — especially through wood-based industries that support forest restoration efforts.

Kristin York, Vice President of the Sierra Business Council and TTCF Board Member, explained:

I’m not advocating for cutting trees. Rather, I am in favor of solving the systemic problem of catastrophic wildfire risk. There is a wood product market value chain that can transform core activities of thinning forests and restoring watersheds into jobs, economic impact, and community resilience.

Innovative products like biomass energy, fire-resistant engineered lumber, and biochar for soil health can make forest restoration not only sustainable but economically valuable. Four new wood biomass facilities in the North Tahoe / Truckee region, for instance, are projected to create or support over 60 new local jobs.

Yet, much of this potential remains untapped. “There are 208 abandoned sawmills in California,” York noted, “in what were once vibrant rural company towns with living-wage jobs — industry that has now been largely replaced by tourism or by nothing.”

Partnership Powers Progress

Lydell Wyatt, Community Liaison to the Washoe Tribe of California & Nevada, emphasized the vital role of collaboration in advancing forest stewardship. Moving forward, meaningful progress will depend on sustained investment in people, places, and relationships — with Tribal leaders, local communities, employers, and educators working together to ensure the next generation is prepared, supported, and empowered to steward the landscapes we all rely on.

Wyatt currently serves as the Washoe Community Liaison for the Tahoe-Truckee area – representing the Washoe Tribe’s priorities across the region and forging collaborations with local organizations. This position has been funded for three years through a collaborative effort on behalf of TTCF and other local funders to ensure the Washoe Tribe’s voice is represented at community decision-making tables. Read more here.

Wyatt shared his appreciation, thanking everyone, “for showing up and seeing the importance of partnership in this work,” he shared.

Forging the Path Ahead

TTCF is excited to continue to invest in forest and fire workforce development, building upon the nearly half a million dollars already distributed or committed to the community for this purpose. These investments have included funding for SWEP to support their programming focused on engaging students in forest health and fire resilience projects, a grant to FoundationCCC to support a forestry and fire workforce development conference, and grants to a range of other community partners dedicated to getting more boots on the ground in our forests.

TTCF remains committed to:

• Elevating partnerships that connect education to career pathways
• Encouraging innovation in wood-based industries that promote ecological and economic resilience
• Offering the newly introduced Forest Futures Scholarships to help support the pursuit of these careers despite financial blocks
• Offering direct forest and fire workforce support such as trainings, fellowship programs, and housing stipends
• Supporting workforce development that centers equity, opportunity, and environmental stewardship

Forests need people to care for them. With the right systems in place, those people can build meaningful, lasting careers — and help shape a future where both the land and its communities thrive. Make a monthly donation to our Forest Futures program to help drive forward progress towards a healthier, more resilient future for our beloved forests. 

*Science for Conservation. (2021). Building California’s Forest Resilience Workforce: Training Needs and Recommendations. Retrieved from https://www.scienceforconservation.org/assets/downloads/Building_CAs_Forest_Resilience_Workforce.pdf

Read Our Forest Futures Salon Series 2025 Blogs

• Forest Futures Salon Series Kicks Off with Stories of Stewardship
• Spotlight on the Speakers of Forest Futures Salon #2 – Wood Innovations: Building a Regenerative Sierra Economy Through Forest Restoration
• Forest Futures: Building Resilience from the Forest Floor Up, Part 1 – Turning Forest Risk Into Opportunity
• Forest Futures: Building Resilience from the Forest Floor Up, Part 2 – Powering Communities with Local Wood Innovation
• Forest Futures: Building Resilience from the Forest Floor Up, Part 3 – Designing a Regenerative Future: Mass Timber and Creative Architecture
• Protecting Homes and Communities – Part 1: Building Community Resilience
• Protecting Homes and Communities – Part 2: The Future is Fire Resistant
• Protecting Homes and Communities – Part 3: Navigating Wildfire Risk
• Not All Fire Is Destruction: Reclaiming Fire as a Tool for Forest Stewardship
• Growing a Forest-Focused Future: Building Careers in Stewardship, Fire, and Wood