Forestry
Forests are a vast part of the American landscape and a significant driver of Alabama’s economy. Forests are renewable resources that provide wildlife habitat, recreation and economic opportunity, essential biomaterial, and a diverse array of careers for those interested in working with nature.
Located in the East Central region of Alabama, the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) offers easy access to the abundant forests, rivers and streams, and waterways that make this state one of the most biologically diverse in the nation. These diverse natural habitats, which span from the Gulf of Mexico to the Tennessee Valley, make Alabama an ideal place for education and careers in natural resources. Established in 1856 as a land-grant institution, Auburn University offers an excellent value and quality of life for its students. Auburn University, which is situated within the idyllic community of Auburn, consistently ranks as a “Top 50 Public Universities” in the country by U.S. News and World Report and has been voted the “Best College in the State” by Forbes Magazine. Boasting annual enrollment at nearly 30,000, Auburn has also been voted one of the “Best Values in Public Colleges” by Kiplinger with 98% of Auburn alumni polled highly rating their decision to attend Auburn.
For a hands-on introduction to field work, students in the forestry program spend the summer between their second and third years at our summer practicum program held at the Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center outside Andalusia, Alabama. In their junior year, students focus on forest biology, land management, and forest products, while in their senior year students are exposed to forest health issues and silvicultural systems. Students complete their last semester with a Senior Capstone Project that ties their previous two years of courses together developing a management plan that is presented to the school faculty and a landowner.
To review the Forestry curriculum visit the Auburn Bulletin.
Students can transfer up to 60 semester hours of credit toward their degree program at Auburn University. The CFWE also offers cooperative transfer programs with several community colleges. Students may also enroll in Auburn’s Path to the Plains program, where they may take courses concurrently at Auburn and participating institutions until their junior year when they will fully enroll at Auburn.
Transfer students majoring in Forestry must apply for summer semester admission prior to their junior year to attend the required summer practicum. For additional help with questions about application timelines and requirements, please contact Student Services before applying.
If you have questions or need assistance, contact CFWE Student Services at 334-844-1094 or e-mail workingwithnature@auburn.edu. Learn more about Auburn’s cooperative transfer programs.
The Forestry program offers specialized, hands-on coursework to help prepare our students for their future career. Follow the link below to find information regarding the courses that are offered within this program.
As the forestry profession continues to evolve to focus upon sustainable operations and resource management, specialization in these areas prepares our students for a variety of career fields which promise well-paying salaries and opportunities, including:
- Conservation
- Logistics and operations
- Land and resource management
- Forestry consulting
- Forest finance and investments
- Biomass research and product development
Learn more about the diverse career opportunities available in forestry!
Meet Erin Colhoun, ’25
Involvement within the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) student organizations provides the opportunity for students like Erin Colhoun to exercise leadership skills, build relationships with classmates, and foster community between students and professionals in the varying occupations associated with forestry.
What inspired you to choose your current major?
The wide array of career paths within forestry provides a lot of flexibility based on my specific interests. Forestry allows you to spend as much or as little time in the field as you like, depending on which job you take. As a forester, every day is a little bit different. Whether you are buying wood or growing trees, the principles of the job stay the same but the properties and the people you work with change which keeps you challenged and makes each day fun.
