George Campus is a firm favourite of students who study Forestry because of its beautiful setting, natural surroundings and rich forestry history. The campus itself is surrounded by commercial and indigenous forests, making it the ideal setting, integrating academic training and practical experience so that students enjoy broad exposure to the industry and its practices.

The South African forestry industry prides itself on the strong emphasis it has placed on the management of renewable resources, continually striving to ensure sustainability on an economic, social and environmental basis. Forest management has become one of the most important pre-requisites for the survival of the forestry industry today. It is of the utmost importance that the application of technical knowledge and skills are integrated with sound management principles. The Forestry course offered at the George Campus more than adequately equips its students to satisfy this need.

What do Foresters do?

Our students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in forestry and related fields. There are an array of jobs available to a forester, however the main emphasis is to sustainably manage commercial forestry estates by protecting the natural resource base, establishing and promoting the growth of planted trees and by harvesting the raw material (timber) in order to satisfy the downstream need for the product.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities include: forestry management, silvicultural management, forest engineering, nursery management, forestry contracting, conservation management on commercial forestry estates, fire protection and management, forestry research, human resource management within the forestry sector, computers in forestry (such as global information systems or GIS), transport management, agro-forestry.

What's Happening

Throughout the year, the Forestry Department has been alive with meaningful activity as staff and students engaged in a wide range of fieldwork, research projects, classroom learning, and community initiatives. These images capture the dedication, teamwork, and hands-on experience that define our department, from practical forest management and ecological studies to innovative research and collaborative outreach. Together, they highlight the growth, achievement, and commitment to sustainability that have shaped our year.