Program Overview

The Forestry and Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program was founded in 2020 and is currently funded through a CAL FIRE Workforce Development Grant administered through the Placer County Resource Conservation District. The Program seeks to pair professional mentors in the forestry field with undergraduate mentees studying forestry in California. This mentoring relationship helps students expand their network, gain hands-on forestry experience, and receive direct feedback and advice from a career professional.

The Program is led by a Program Manager and a volunteer Steering Committee composed of forestry professionals and a student representative. Professional development resources and trainings include:

• Introductory Session to review program goals, structure, and requirements

• Annual training on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

• Practice with resume building and interview skills

• Regular career panels highlighting different sectors of the field

• Additional workshops as requested or suggested by Steering Committee

• Participant reimbursements to support field visits with mentors or attendance at forestry-related conferences/trainings.

Program recruitment begins in August (to coincide with the start of fall classes). The Steering Committee works with professional forestry organizations, state, federal, and private partners to seek volunteer Mentors from the professional forestry and natural resource community.

Applicants provide information on career goals, personal/professional interests, and identity to guide pairing. The Steering Committee will review and assign mentorship pairs within 20 days of the end of the application period, with the goal of pairing all applicants by late October.

Participants are required to meet monthly (at a minimum). Meetings may be virtual or in person. Mid-year and end-of-year surveys will be administered to all Program participants to evaluate program progress and needs.

The Program facilitates mentor-mentee relationships by offering monthly discussion topics, facilitating active communication between mentor and mentee, and providing opportunities for professional development. Formal Program activities occur during the academic year (November to May), with potential for mentorships to continue past the end of Program activities.

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors studying Forestry at 4-year universities or any Community College students are welcome to apply. See all eligibility requirements here.

Donate Today!

Generous donations help to support this program by providing support of mentees and mentors.

Tax-deductible donations for the Forestry Mentorship Program can be made to the Placer RCD. Please include “Forestry Mentorship Program” in the memo line. Checks may be sent to:

Attn: Liana Vitousek

Placer RCD

11641 Blocker Drive, Suite 120

Auburn, CA 95603

Liana@placerrcd.org

Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Business and Workforce Development Grants. Additional support is provided by the partner organizations below.

Partner Organizations