Forestry & Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program

In 2022, CAL FIRE’s Wood Products and Bioenergy Team awarded the Placer County RCD a grant amounting to $250,880 to fund the Forestry and Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program, along with seed funding from California Licensed Foresters Association, Women in Timber, and the UC Cooperative Extension. The mission of the Forestry and Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program is to increase recruitment and retention of early-career forestry professionals by: pairing university and community college students with a professional mentor, providing networking and training opportunities, and offering insight into a forestry career. The Program recognizes that a diverse and expanded workforce is essential to addressing current and future challenges facing the field. We encourage support for underrepresented groups in the profession, including women, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and LGBTQIA+ by: providing training on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) for participants, pairing participants based on shared professional interests and identity (when requested), and highlighting the diversity of identities and specialties that exist within the field of forestry.

Interested in applying to be a mentor/mentee? See the program overview for more information! The mentorship cycle lasts for nine months (October – June), and pairs are expected to meet monthly.

Applications are closed for the 24-25 Academic Year.

They will reopen in late summer/early fall 2025.

What am I going to get out of this Program?

Whether you’re a mentor or a mentee, the Program is focused on creating connections between students and professionals, as well as providing engaging networking and educational opportunities tailored to include individuals from all backgrounds. Through this Program, we hope you will gain relationships in the industry, friendships, and the tools you need to continue in your career. We offer a variety of career-enriching opportunities, including networking events, resume and interview workshops, hiring workshops for employers, career panels, resources on how/where to find forestry jobs, a live database of job openings, and more! For a closer look at what mentors and mentees have gotten out of this Program, take a peek at our Annual Report and last year’s event schedule.

How much time does it take to participate?

Mentors and mentees are required to meet once a month, at minimum. Meetings may be virtual or in-person. If you are new to the Program, you will also be expected to attend a 1.5-hour introductory session going over Program structure and expectations. We also ask that all mentors and mentees attend at least one Program-hosted workshop on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice per academic year. Lastly, we highly appreciate when participants take our Program surveys as they help us assess Program needs. The Program will require a maximum of 15-20 hours of your time per academic year. There are many optional Program events that also enrich the experience, and an event calendar will be distributed early in the academic year.

Do I need to meet my mentor/mentee in-person?

While it is not required that you and your mentor/mentee meet in-person, previous participants have gotten a lot of value out of connecting with their mentor/mentee in-person for events, conferences, field visits, and more. We encourage you to try to meet your mentor/mentee in-person if possible!

Does the Program provide any funding to student participants?

Yes! The Program provides funding for attendance of forestry-related events and conferences, or for visiting your mentor in-person for a field trip or meeting. Funds can cover registration fees, mileage, meals, hotels, and vehicle rentals. Each student may apply for up to $600 in reimbursement per academic year.

Mentors: Should I be an RPF?

No, you do not need to be a Registered Professional Forester to be a mentor! The Program serves all interest areas within forestry and natural resources. Participating students are all enrolled in forestry Programs, so mentors should have a strong forestry background to provide the best guidance to mentees.

Mentors: Do I need to be based in California?

As all participating colleges and universities are California-based, mentor applicants from within California will be prioritized.

Participating schools include Bakersfield College, UC Berkeley, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Humboldt, College of the Redwoods, Feather River College, Reedley College, and Shasta College. At 4-year universities, sophomores, juniors, and seniors majoring in forestry are eligible for participation. All community college forestry students are eligible for the Program. Professionals with a background in forestry are encouraged to apply as mentors. Read more about last year’s program highlights in the 2023-2024 Annual Report!

Program Resources

Take a peek at our Program Resource Database!

Donate Today!

Tax-deductible donations for the Forestry Mentorship Program can be made to the Placer RCD. Please include “Forestry Mentorship Program” in the memo line. Checks may be sent to:

Attn: Liana Vitousek

Placer RCD

11641 Blocker Drive, Suite 120

Auburn, CA 95603