Call to action in Nature: invest in professionals and their careers in forest protection

This is the letter which is published in Nature on 15 March 2022:

Forest protection: invest in professionals and their careers

The protection and restoration of forests has major implications for the world’s climate, biodiversity and economic and societal development. But high-level commitments — such as those made by 141 nations at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, UK, last year — are being undermined by a dearth of people trained to fulfil those pledges.

For example, the University of Oxford, UK, closed its once internationally renowned forestry institute in 2002. In Australia, only one undergraduate forestry programme persists, at Southern Cross University in Lismore. Fewer and fewer students worldwide are seeking careers in forestry and related disciplines, and recruiters at all levels are failing to attract suitably qualified candidates.

Declining prestige and public support are key factors that need to be rectified (see, for example, K. J. De’Arman and R. F. York J. Forestry 119, 236–250; 2021). Investment in people and careers in forest management should be a priority. And perceptions matter: rebranding forestry as ‘forest science’ and attaching a conservation label could help.

Besides technical and management skills, training must focus on the importance of commitment, consultation, communication and adaptability if forest pledges are to be met.

Douglas Sheil Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
J. Doland Nichols Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia.