Placer Resource Conservation District > Mentorship > Resources

The Forestry and Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program is a collaborative effort supporting traditionally underrepresented students in forestry and natural resources, particularly those who identify as women, Black, Indigenous, people of color, or LGBTQ+ to facilitate the inclusion and support of these groups within the profession. The program aims to provide both students and mentors with materials to enhance and sustain successful mentoring relationships, provide students with more information regarding careers in forestry and natural resource management, and to understand the challenges various underrepresented groups face both professionally and personally.

These resources are for mentors to use in preparation for their role as a mentor. 

Discovering and/or determining your career path in forestry and natural resource management can be both exciting and challenging. These resources aim to provide students with additional information to help them navigate future careers in natural resource management. This list is not comprehensive; if you have any suggested materials or resources, please contact Katie Low.

Pursuing Careers in Forestry and Natural Resource Management

*Resources are listed alphabetically and not in order of importance.

Job Bulletins/List Servs*

*Resources are listed alphabetically and not in order of importance

*Organizations listed alphabetically are not in order of importance. It is not a requirement of The Forestry and Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program or the Ecosystems Management and Forestry major or minor to join any of these organizations.

Association of Fire Ecology

The Association for Fire Ecology is an organization of professionals dedicated to improving the knowledge and use of fire in land management through science and education.

Students can attend annual conferences, which provide many opportunities for presenting, gathering feedback on research and career options, and meeting other students.

Social Media Links

California Fire Science Consortium

The California Fire Science Consortium (as part of the Joint Fire Science Program’s Fire Science Exchange network) is a network of scientists and managers that strives to accelerate the awareness, understanding, and adoption of wildland fire science information by federal, tribal, state, local, and private stakeholders within ecologically similar regions. Our mission is to be an inclusive, neutral, customer-driven collaborative group that facilitates the flow of fire science information and dialogue. By getting involved with the CFSC, students can stay up-to-date with new fire science research; network and learn from the statewide group of fire scientists and managers, and see an example of how communication can bridge the gap between knowledge and implementation.

While there is no formal membership, anyone is welcome to sign up for our newsletter to learn about new products and upcoming fire events. Signing up for the newsletter is free and you can unsubscribe at any time (to make sure you get the newsletter to your inbox, add CaFireScience@gmail.com to your email safe list) http://www.cafiresci.org/email-list-signup-mailchimp

Social Media Links

For additional questions please contact Program Coordinator, Stacey Sargent Frederick (she/her/hers).

Cell: (541) 224-3188
Office: (510) 642-4934
Email: ssfrederick@berkeley.edu  

California Licensed Foresters Association

CLFA is the primary representative of Registered Professional Foresters in the State of California. The association serves members by providing opportunities for continuing education and public outreach to its membership to further the forestry profession and responsible stewardship of California’s forest lands.

CLFA offers scholarships and has a job board that is used by most industry and consulting professionals to post openings

California Women in Timber

California Women in Timber is a non-profit organization committed to sustainable forestry and natural resource management. CWIT is dedicated to educational outreach, professional development, and legislation in local communities and throughout the State.

CWIT provides scholarship opportunities for current students.

Annual boot scholarship for students starting their first field season who need to buy field gear.

Professional networking opportunities at Sierra Cascade Logging Conference (annual mixer), Redwood Regional Logging Conference, four quarterly phone conference meetings, local chapter meetings and fundraisers, etc.

There are opportunities to start local chapters for networking opportunities.

Social Media Links

Ecological Society of America

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of scientists founded in 1915 to promote ecological science by improving communication among ecologists; raise the public’s level of awareness of the importance of ecological science; increase the resources available for the conduct of ecological science; and ensure the appropriate use of ecological science in environmental decision making by enhancing communication between the ecological community and policy-makers.

Social Media Links

Society of American Foresters

“The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance sustainable management of forest resources through science, education, and technology; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and to use our knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic to ensure the continued health, integrity, and use of forests to benefit society in perpetuity.”

Membership offers a discount on attending the national SAF National Convention. This event allows student members to meet other forestry students and professionals from across the country.

Many agencies and companies use SAF conference as a job recruiting opportunity. Student members can post their resume to the  SAF Career Center.

Informational lectures and sessions expose student members to the range of careers available in forestry and natural resources.

*Clubs listed alphabetically are not in order of importance. It is not a requirement of The Forestry and Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program to join any of these clubs.

Stay tuned for updated information for clubs at other campuses!

  • UC Berkeley Forestry Club
    • Cal Forestry Club is a community of students on campus that meets every Wednesday from 12-1 pm in 103 Mulford. Many of the members are forestry majors at Cal, however there are also members from a variety of majors in the College of Natural Resources and other colleges on campus. The meetings are a mix of formal lectures from guest speakers about careers and forestry topics and more informal meetings where members enjoy their lunches together, catch up with old friends, and get to know new friends in the natural resource community. The club typically sends some of its members to the annual Society of American Foresters conference each fall. Forestry Club also organizes monthly bean feeds during which students and faculty gather outside of Mulford Hall for a chili potluck. Overall, Forestry Club is a very casual and welcoming community that is great for anyone interested in gaining new peers and learning about various professional careers in the field of natural resources.
    • There is no official application to be a member of forestry club, typically new folks just come join us in 103 Mulford on Wednesday’s at noon during our usual meeting time. Membership costs are typically $5 per semester, and this entitles you to come to our monthly bean feeds and other events that are hosted by club. If you are interested in joining the club, it can be helpful to be on our email list serve where we send out updates and information about events and meetings. If interested in being added to the list serve, interested parties can email calforestryclub@gmail.com and ask to be added, or they can contact our club faculty advisor, Rachelle Hedges via email (rachelle.hedges@berkeley.edu).
  • UC Berkeley Logging Sports
    • The Logging Sports Team at UC Berkeley (The Bucking Bears) is an RSO that is open to all students! We participate in competitions across the western United States against other collegiate logging sports teams. Events include throwing axes, chopping wood, sawing logs, throwing logs, orienteering, the choker run, and more. During a typical semester, we practice from about 10am-1pm on Sunday at UC Berkeley’s Russell Research Station (a research forest) in Lafayette. We normally attend four to six competitions per year, and carpools are arranged for every practice and competition. Our members come from a variety of backgrounds and no prior experience is needed.
    • Email buckingbears@gmail.com with your name, year, and major and our captains will get back to you! There are no dues to join!
  • UC Berkeley Student Association of Fire Ecology (SAFE)
    • UC Berkeley SAFE is a group of Cal graduate and undergraduate students (and staff) from a variety of fields who are passionate about fire. In addition to fostering community among fire enthusiasts in academia, we strive to spread our excitement beyond the university through classroom visits, outreach events, and more. We bring live demos and hands-on activities to a variety of settings. For detailed descriptions of our educational fire outreach activities and demos, see here.

SAFE is a nation-wide student organization under the umbrella of the Association for Fire Ecology. The primary objective of SAFE is: “to provide students from diverse backgrounds with an open forum on fire ecology through which research can be shared, networks formed and funding and information resources can be accessed.” 

David A Bischel Forestry Scholarship

Eligibility: Entering juniors, seniors, or graduate student at UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Cal Poly SLO, or Cal Poly Humboldt. Students must be in a program leading to a forestry career.

Application link

Green Diamond Scholarships

Green Diamond offers multiple scholarships with varying requirements for eligibility.

More information here

Hazel Jackson/ CA LIcensed Foresters Association Scholarship, Roy H. Richards Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility: The scholarships are available to individuals who will be attending, full-time during the 2023-2024 school year, a University or College with a Forestry Program accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) OR a Junior College with transferable credits to an accredited Forestry Program

Application link

Society of American Foresters Student Diversity Scholar Program

Eligibility: Enrolled in an undergraduate (associate or bachelor’s) or graduate (masters or PhD) forestry or related natural resources program at a US institution. Interested in encouraging and promoting a culture of inclusion within the profession. Applicants from underrepresented groups will be given priority. Current SAF members and nonmembers are welcome to apply.

Application link

North Coast Chapter Women in Timber Scholarship

Eligibility: The North Coast Chapter, serving the greater  Humboldt and Del Norte Counties,  is offering scholarships to local high school seniors and statewide college students who are pursuing higher education in the 2024-2025 academic year. Scholarships are open to all courses of study; however, special considerations will be given to students pursuing an education in natural resources-related fields, with preference given to those who pursue an education in forestry.

Application link

RMS and SAF Forestry Scholarship

Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be from an underrepresented group in forestry and natural resources.
    • This includes women; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and other persons of color; and persons with disabilities.
  • Have a declared major in Forestry or Natural Resources.
  • Be an SAF member or plan to become one if named the scholarship recipient.
  • Be a full-time student at a US institution.
  • Be based in the US to fulfill the summer internship with RMS.
  • Have achieved status as a college junior by the fall semester for 2024.
  • Have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and must maintain it while receiving the scholarship.

Application link

Thomas Hill Jr. Education and Opportunity Fund

Eligibility:

  • Applicant must be an SAF student member.
  • Applicant must be enrolled in a 2- or 4-year forestry or natural resource program.
  • Applicants pursuing a two-year degree must be entering their second year.
  • Applicants pursuing a four-year degree may be entering their junior or senior year.
  • Applicants are eligible to receive one scholarship per year, for up to two years. Receiving a scholarship one year does not guarantee automatic receipt for a second year. Applicants must resubmit application to be considered for a second year.

Application link

These resources aim to provide program participants enhance personal understanding of the challenges various underrepresented groups face both professionally and personally.This list is not comprehensive; if you have any suggested materials or resources, please contact Katie Low.

*Resources are listed alphabetically and not in order of importance.

These resources aim to provide underrepresented students with relevant career resources and to help mentors and students enhance personal understanding of the challenges various underrepresented groups face both professionally and personally.This list is not comprehensive; if you have any suggested materials or resources, please contact Katie Low.

*Resources are listed alphabetically and not in order of importance.

Natural Resource Management-Related Resources

These resources aim to provide underrepresented students with relevant career resources and to help mentors and students enhance personal understanding of the challenges various underrepresented groups face both professionally and personally.This list is not comprehensive; if you have any suggested materials or resources, please contact Katie Low.

*Resources are listed alphabetically and not in order of importance.

Note: this is not a comprehensive list of resources. If you have any recommendations for information to include, please contact nicoledutch@berkeley.edu. 

Terms 

  1. What’s the difference between Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx? – University of California, Antonio Campos and Zak Long
  2. Latino, Hispanic, Latinx, Chicano: The History Behind the Terms – History Channel by Yara Simón

Organizations and Programs

Note: organizations and programs are listed alphabetically. Descriptions of organizations are pulled directly from their website.

  1. Fire Foundry: https://www.firefoundry.org/ 

About: Our goal is to increase access to sustainable wage careers in the fire services for women and people of color who are currently unrepresented.

  1. Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program: https://www.forestryfirerp.org/

About: The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP) is a nonprofit organization that provides career support to formerly incarcerated firefighters and those currently incarcerated in California’s Conservation Camps; who are interested in careers in the Wildland and Forestry sector. FFRP was developed in direct response to the growing need for wildfire-related personnel. Our mission is to increase wildfire personnel from non-traditional and underrepresented communities, providing them the training, skills, resources, and experiences needed to secure gainful employment.

  1. Latino Outdoors: https://latinooutdoors.org/

About: We inspire, connect, and engage Latino communities in the outdoors and embrace cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative, ensuring our history, heritage, and leadership are valued and represented.

Additional Resource: Opportunity Board 

  • Resource to search for jobs, internships, scholarships, and other opportunities in the outdoor and environmental fields. You can also post opportunities.
  1. The MANO Project: https://www.manoproject.org/ 

About: The core purpose for the MANO Project (My Access to Network Opportunities) is to connect, build and develop young leaders of color who share a passion for serving and strengthening their communities. We want to help build leadership capacity among Latino communities and the nation as a whole.

Additional Resource: Internship Board

  • They host programs aimed at recruiting Latinx youth to work in resource management agencies. 
  • They also provide internship opportunities for Latinx students interested in careers in resource management. 

Literature

Note: resources are listed in alphabetical order

  1. The Latinization of Forest Management in Southern Oregon: a Case from the Rogue Valley by Brinda Sarathy

Abstract: Mexican immigrants constitute the vast majority of forest workers on federal lands in Oregon today. In southern Oregon, Latinos also make up a significant share of forest contractors and a growing portion of the resident population. Although there has been some recent attention to immigrant workers in the United States, Latino forest workers remain marginal in the eyes of policymakers and the general public. This article examines the Latinization of forest work in the Rogue Valley and provides a social and historical context with which to understand this phenomenon, shedding light on the importance of federal immigration policies, immigrant social networks, and changes to forest management.

  1. Pineros: Latino Labour and the Changing Face of Forestry in the Pacific Northwest by Brinda Sarathy

Abstract: Although the exploitation of Latino workers in many industries is well known, pineros – Latino forest workers – toil largely in obscurity. Brinda Sarathy investigates how the US federal government came to be one of the country’s largest employers of Latino labour, and documents pinero wages and working conditions in comparison to those of white forest labourers. Pinero exploitation, Sarathy argues, is the product of an ongoing history of institutionalized racism in the West. Overcoming this legacy depends on improving the visibility and working conditions of pineros and providing them with a stronger voice in immigration and forestry policy-making.