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LBW Community College and the U.S. Forest Service have partnered to increase awareness and knowledge of natural resource career opportunities.

Through a challenge cost share agreement, the College has hosted career fairs and exploration events for local high schools and job corps institutes. Current students continue to experience updated Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) curriculum, in-depth career tours, and mentorship from Forest Service personnel.

“This partnership is not only in place to help our current students but to create awareness about the field and the job opportunities,” said LBW President Dr. Brock Kelley.

The partnership focuses to better aid students from diverse and underserved communities on a regional level. The agreement promotes employment opportunities in Forest Service operations.

“Forestry has such an impact on our community, and we feel obligated to help increase the talent pipeline into the natural resource field,” President Kelley added.

Forest Service Grant Specialist Kara Foreman will soon introduce the LBW Forestry Program to advanced students at an event in North Carolina. The event is hosted at Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center in Cherokee, N.C. where 33 students will participate in introductory FIA implementation.

“I look forward to sharing the opportunities the LBW Forestry and Wildlife Sciences program has to offer potential students,” Foreman said. “This partnership has aided in exposing our students to the public sector of Forestry, promoting an expansive level of job opportunities.”

In addition to career fairs and informational events, both parties are working together to find new ways to remove barriers, increase awareness to the Natural Resource career field, and allow better opportunities in Forestry.

About LBW Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Program
The Forestry and Wildlife Sciences program, the only two-year degree available in Alabama, trains students for the position of forest technician. The curriculum emphasizes the development of practical field skills. Students often have the opportunity to participate in forestry field operations such as control burning, stand description, running land lines, and development of forest management plans.

About USDA Forest Service
Grounded in world-class science and technology and rooted in communities–the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. As a Federal agency in service to the American people, the Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. In doing this, the agency supports nature in sustaining life.