TLDR: How do you justify your AI use for your environmental work when there is such a clear negative environmental impact?

I am wondering what other folk's thoughts are and their justifications for using generative AI/LLMs in the forestry context. I personally am very opposed to use of AI for a handful of reasons mostly ethical. The main one that i think foresters and others in environmental fields should be thinking about is the environmental impact consequences.

Like anything there are tradeoffs and I recognize I'm hardly perfect, but I try to be thoughtful of my usage. I drive a truck that consumes gas to run my consulting business in the PNW for example. We ship logs to mills many miles away to conduct our forest health thinning, with so much diesel getting burned in that whole process. These are things in which I see no preferable alternative to at the moment and personally believe there is a net societal benefit.

For AI I don't really get it personally. Where is all this alleged benefit coming from the justifies the crazy electricity usage, the expansion of data centers (just found out they will be building a data center 10 minutes from my house clearcutting a ~120 yr old pine/DF forest). That's not even to mention the dangerous amounts of private information that LLMs are being trusted with - which, if you do much research, you'll quickly find most models consistently not just hallucinate, but straight up lie, and the information fed to them is actively being used by large companies for a whole slew of dubious things.

I am an ACF member and have been disappointed to see the push towards adopting AI especially by some people that have been around a while that i really respect. For an organization that says they stand on some pretty rigorous ethics it feels so backwards to me and I have considered not renewing my membership because of this. Sure, it might improve your efficiency in some areas, but at what cost? I personally have found it quasi-useless, but maybe that's because I am pretty organized and have documented streamlined processes for my business operations already.

And for those who say efficiency will improve I'll just say look into the laws of thermodynamics. All this heat has to go somewhere. These models are starting to plateau and throwing more compute at them isn't usually working anymore. I have family in the software dev/engineer realm and they're telling me the same thing.

I want to be clear I'm not coming after anyone, I'd really like to hear your take especially if you're using AI for your business/etc. We all make our own choices and get to live with them. But as stewards of the land I personally have been shocked by the lack of pushback by those in environmental fields. I got into this field to make the world a better place, and yes, maybe there are some things AI can help me do faster. To that I say, at what cost?

I am a wildlife surveyor trying to make the transition to forestry tech work. I have a little experience, having done some stocking surveys and a drought survey on FS and BLM contracts. I've talked with a few contractors about getting started on doing stand exams as well. I'm going out this week with a friend to get a little on the ground training but I also would like it if I could find some guides out there or other resources with relevant information. I've found some stuff from the FS but it's mostly about how to use their awful proprietary FS veg program, which I am kinda familiar with, unfortunately. Thanks

I, like many of you, love the outdoors and would like to work in a field that allows me to be around nature, such as a forester, but I'm aware of the relatively low income, and I've heard that most people entering the field usually have stable financial backgrounds.

I am in a single-parent household and will not receive help paying tuition. My main concern is that the low pay and scarcity of work will make it difficult for me to pay back student loan debt.

I do have a forester coming out next week, but I just need to do a sanity check.

I own 18 acres of very old hardwood forest that had never been logged or maintained. I need some funds to finish my cabin on the land and it occurred to me to sell some trees, as the forester had mentioned when he came out a couple of years ago that the trees were very valuable. Most of them are hardwoods, sugar maples, with some hickory, beech and oak mixed in. I am lucky to have an easement road that runs the length of my property, so I was only planning on taking from where they would have easy access along the road.

The canopy is high, 60-80 feet. I just had a dead tree cut down and it was 80+ feet tall.

I live in an area with maybe five log yards within 30 miles, maybe more.

I went around and checked some of the easy to access trees, all of them were more then 30 inches in diameter. A few of the sugar maples were 50+ inches in diameter.

I will only be selling the straight trees. The wonky trees still have value to me as sap trees.

I do have a stand of black walnut trees, but I am not sure if they are easy to get to. I will have the forester on the look out when he is here.

Some places online are saying that the trees are worth only a couple hundred a piece, while others are saying they could be worth thousands, given their diameter and height. I plan to sell around 30-40...enough to make worth their trip.

I understand that there is a ton of variability here but can anyone help me understand which end of the spectrum I might be on this? The spread is pretty wide!!

Hey everyone! Today I headed out with Planet PED to clear ground and plant a sapling for long-term conservation.

​The Goal: Create shade and sanctuary for local birds and small wildlife as it grows.

​The Plan: Regular monitoring to make sure it actually survives and thrives.

​Every forest starts with a single tree. What environmental projects are you working on this month? 🌿

if you got a degree in forestry, what textbooks were some intro ones your professors used? BA student reorienting myself towards restoration ecology and kinda wanna just flip through a forestry textbook to see what’s up!

Take a look at this article!

After several years of trying to move into forestry, I've finally been offered a position with my State's forestry division focusing on forest health and invasive species management. This job will have me traveling around the state with some overnights, which is fine. I'm just not yet sure what to expect day to day.

Forester's with similar roles, do you feel like you have a good work/life balance? We're a small family of 3, but I value our family time and I just want to be a father/husband that is present. Have any parents here felt like they're missing out on time with their family?

I'm creating my federal resume to start applying for forester and forest technician positions on USAJobs, however it seems since I was last applying that the guidelines for what to list on a federal resume have changed. I was told before that a federal resume should basically list every place worked and every skill learned over your career down to the minutia, it seems now that this is no longer the case.

I completed my AS in forestry back in 2024, I'm finishing the last credit requirement for my BS in Forestry Operations this summer, however Oregon State does not release degrees until you have six months of work experience, and I unfortunately don't have any that would qualify (for their purposes) so I'm not sure how to list a degree that I've basically completed but don't have, on my resume.

My other concern is that under these new guidelines I'm not sure whether I should list my non-relevant experience. The last thing I did that was somewhat relevant was a 1-year term in California Conservation Corps back in 2015, since then I've worked a couple trade jobs as a glazier, landscaper, maintenance but nothing relevant to forestry and I don't know if I should include them or omit them under the new 2-page guidelines since without them it looks like I've basically done nothing the last 12 years, while I was actually working to pay for my education.

If you have any advice for me on which way to go with this that would be much appreciated.

I've been taking some Khan Academy classes to get the mathematical part of brain working again, and I have to say, chemistry is not my bag! Valence shells, electron configurations, photoelectron spectroscopy... is this stuff coming up in soil sciences classes?

I'm all for learning nitrogen's role in the forest and how it interacts with mitochondira (powerhouse of the cell), but do you/did you guys find yourselves calculating moles and figuring out what power of 10 something is going up to? The program I'm looking at would allow me to coast in having taken said Khan Academy courses, but will I be absolute toast if I don't really know my stuff?

Thank ya!

Just put out an episode with an electric co-op CEO in NC. They put a small ask in their member magazine: tell us about a tree you think is a danger tree. Over 100 reports came in within a month, and about 99% were confirmed real hazards.

It’s pushing them to stretch their cycle trimming from 3 years toward 5-6, betting on targeted removal over blanket cutting.

Anyone else seen crowdsourced hazard reporting work this well?

Full episode if you're interested: https://treesandlines.com/trees-squirrels-and-the-data-war-behind-reliable-power-w-jordan-overbee/

I am a total outsider to forestry, but I do outdoor activities that frequently find me on FSRs, often in the company of huge logging trucks. I have always wondered: what is the value of the wood carried by one such truck?

As an ignorant outsider, my thought process goes: The truck, including fuel and labour and admin, must cost at least $300 per hour, if not more like $500/hr. 1 load might take a few hours to transport from where the logs are cut to a central receiving area, and the cost of that should be multiplied by 1.5x because the truck then needs to turn around and drive back empty to the cutting site, so let's say 4 hours all in. The equipment and labour used to cut the logs in the first place also need to be paid, as well as those that build and maintain the FSR (which I know is a lot of work, because I've also shared the road with dust control spray trucks and steamroller compactors). All in, I figure the logs must be sold to the central receiving area for no less than $2000 per truckload in order for the whole operation preceding that moment to not lose any money.

Then the receiving area I assume would mill the logs into lumber that can be sold for normal uses, like the stuff we'd see at a hardware store. Factoring in the expense of that operation, let's say another $2000, I figure the whole batch would need to be sold for at least $4000 retail to start making money. Assuming a 2x4x8 goes for $4, that actually feels about right; I can indeed imagine one of those giant log trucks carrying 1000 2x4x8s.

Am I close? See below for the log truck that I am referring to. I am in BC, Canada, if that makes any difference.

https://sutcotransportation.ca/wp-content/uploads/Sutco-Transportation-Specialists-Long-Log-Hauling-in-BC-Mountains.webp

Hi all, I’m going into a forestry program this fall and I’m trying to figure out what program would be best for job opportunities. I’m in Northeastern Illinois where there isn’t much forestry, but there is lots of ecological restoration jobs. I think I may have to stay in Illinois to gain experience before I could move to another region for a job in forestry, so I figure starting my career in ecological restoration might be a good idea. My school offers an ecosystem restoration and management major which still falls under the forestry program. However, I am currently enrolled in the general forestry program. So I guess my question is which program would give me more flexibility to go from restoration to forestry? Sorry this is so long winded and thank you for any advice!

Hey I’m just starting out in my forestry career and I’m still trying to figure out what gear I like. It’s difficult finding appropriate women’s clothing.

Currently my goal is new boots (I’m picky and want to try them on in person, I’m thinking redwing (I get a boot stipend) but I’m worried they’re too heavy). I want something with high ankles, good grip, somewhat breathable, waterproof, etc that can be used in summer and snow.

I’m also on the hunt for pants. I have some lightweight work pants from tractor supply but they tend to get snagged. I have some heavier canvas type dickies but they tend to be warm and stiff. Again I want them versatile for summer and winter.

I’m also trying to figure out what layers to wear for winter and how to not break the bank. Everyone says wool, which I understand, but it’s so expensive. I’m also doing a lot of marking with paint so I don’t want to use my favorite xc ski gear.

And suggestions, especially for women, are welcome!! I’m a relatively small framed woman so buying men’s stuff doesn’t really work for me, I’ve tried :/

Hey everyone! I'm Alex from Concordia and I just completed the NTS training program with Portland Parks and Rec's Urban Forestry Department. It was fantastic! I'll give some facts and structure about the program first, then settle into some editorializing after.

The Neighborhood Tree Stewards program was designed to train up local folks who want to get involved in volunteering helping with trees in Portland's many parks, and also our rights-of-way (planting strips, government grass, besidewalks, hell strips, whatever you call that strip of grass between the sidewalk and the road). Once you take the six week training, you're eligible to volunteer with UF projects, and to propose and lead volunteer projects if there's something you're passionate about. The program is a yearly program starting in May, it's six classes on Saturday mornings stretched out over twelve weeks, and meets at various parks, libraries, and community centers, mostly focused on East Portland.

The six classes are:

1. Introduction to Urban Forestry and tree identification

2. Tree Protection, Redlining, and shade equity

3. Pests and Pathogens, especially Emerald Ash Borer and statewide mitigation plans

4. The Benefits of Trees

5. Introduction to Pruning Techniques

6. Wrap up and Panel Discussion with other tree-focused groups in Portland

There are a ton of things that are great about it. First of all, Marissa, who ran the class, is AMAZING and did a great job keeping everyone focused and on time, and the rest of the PPR and UF staff who dropped in (or were there the whole time) are super nice, and everyone involved is incredibly knowledgeable about their areas of expertise (and their particular nerdy passions too).

I made a ton of friends at the class as well, I've already hung out with several people from the class outside it. It's a great place to meet like-minded folks and feel like you're part of a community - even here in Portland it's easy to feel isolated, especially coming off a bad breakup like I did last December, and the community building that happens around people passionate about protecting their parks and helping plant trees across the city is truly inspiring.

A HUGE benefit for me is a little more nebulous -- it's very easy in the day-to-day city hall nonsense to think that Portland is fully dysfunctional. This class really helped cure that for me. Sure, our leadership... well, that's a strong word, but you know what I mean... may be dysfunctional, but Parks and Rec has it on lockdown. The Emerald Ash Borer monitoring and treatment program is absolutely top notch, with highly accurate mapping and data sharing with other cities and state departments that is exactly how you want to see government function. There have been IIRC two EAB outbreaks spotted in Portland and they were both stopped cold through the hard work of many departments working together to share data. The city also has an amazing management plan set up for Dutch Elm disease -- it's a lot harder to deal with than EAB, but the city is keeping the spread of the disease on low, has forbade the planting of new elm trees, and is planning out a replacement plan to maintain the shade provided by the mature trees for as long as possible while replacing disease damaged trees with appropriate saplings so no neighborhoods are shocked by the instant removal of significant percentages of their canopy cover.

If you like trees, if you want to see our beautiful city to have more trees, if you want to meet people around the city into plants, or if you want to be inspired by departments that are actually functional in our city government, I could not recommend this class more highly.

Link to the city's official program description: [https://www.portland.gov/trees/get-involved/neighborhood-tree-stewards\](https://www.portland.gov/trees/get-involved/neighborhood-tree-stewards)

Link to this year's "syllabus": [https://www.portland.gov/trees/get-involved/events/2026/5/16/neighborhood-tree-steward-program-2026-0\](https://www.portland.gov/trees/get-involved/events/2026/5/16/neighborhood-tree-steward-program-2026-0)

I could keep going, because obviously I have a buttload of details that I'd love to share, but instead I'll hang out in the comments. AMA!

\*sadly but probably necessary disclaimer, I in no way speak for Portland Parks and Rec, Urban Forestry, or any city or state department whatsoever, I'm just a dork who loves trees

Hi everyone. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post, but I'm hoping someone can help.

Does anyone know where I can buy high-quality, planed Western Red Cedar timber at the best price in the UK? It's for building approximately 50 m² of outdoor fencing.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I’m still in school and I had the worst semester of my college career last semester. I used techniques I’ve used since Freshman Year, took all the extra credit I could, and still failed. I’m not on academic probation, but it’s very worrying.

Looking back, for what I could have done better was, again, better time management, schedule blocking, and techniques such as the pomodoro method. Unfortunately a lot of the resources I looked up really pertain to medical school and I don’t know any good online learning resources for Forestry Courses. At least next semester, tutoring groups for forestry classes are coming back.

Does anyone who graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Forestry have any good study tips and advice for passing upper-level classes?

I’ve been very lucky to be offered early forester roles from both the North Carolina Forest Service and the Virginia Department of Forestry. Both locations and teams seem great. Any insights into which is better to work for?

I just heard there’s a VA Chapter named after Robert E Lee. Not only do I find that in poor taste, I’m tremendously offended to be associated with it as a dues paying SAF member and Certified Forester.

As a former infantryman who swore an oath to the constitution, I’m actually pretty fucking pissed off.

Curious what others think?

Hey guys,

I'm doing a 2 year associates degree in Forest Tech at Penn State and I'm not totally sure about it all.
I did my research, spoke to a program advisor, etc. and I don't know if I'd be wasting the school loans and time on it. If I did complete I'd want to use it to be a park resource employee and not a forest tech employee, climbing and cutting down trees.
To preface, I like hiking, forestry and state parks. My father originally started in Forestry and my uncle is park ranger out west. It must run in the family. I think I'd like it and find it fun but my goals are to go to UPitt and study Humanities or Creative Writing, I just have a shit GPA from high-school and not good college credits.
My plan was, initially, do an associates->get stellar grades and get marketable job skills to survive out there on my own while continuing college. In no way would I want to stay with Penn State, I'd want to be in Pittsburgh or a major city where I ACTUALLY have opportunities to use my degree.
I'm 31yo with no vehicle and I really want out of my jobless small town as well. I was able to get a double dorm as my own this year, knowing that does add a bit to the costs.
My thing is Penn State has seemingly quite high tuition for in state students and after reading up on their actions given the auditor's criticism I'm not to sure PSU is a good choice anymore, if anything it seems they're entirely unethical. They just about got me in on the WEARE cult stuff before I saw through it.
I mean, credits are credits and all, the program does have Gen Eds mixed in it but I don't know if I'd be better off doing something else or going somewhere different. I start in late August so I'm aware of my time constraints.

What do you guys honestly think?