Forests thrive on diversity, in terms of biodiversity and of the varied people who sustain them. Forget the notion that forestry is narrow; today’s dynamic forest sector welcomes a wide array of talents. These diverse individuals are our Forest Justiciers, a term deliberately chosen from the French. Here, a Justicier is more than just a protector; they are a “righter of wrongs,” an upholder of justice, embodying a proactive and principled commitment to what is right within our natural world. Each is a vital guardian, upholding the inherent health, delicate balance, and future of our wild spaces with a profound sense of purpose.
A changing forest sector
Around 33 million people are employed in the forestry sector globally, accounting for approximately 1% of total employment across all economic activities (Lippe et al., 2022). However, forests are currently facing increasingly complex and evolving challenges, ranging from climate change and biodiversity loss to shifting socio-economic demands (FAO, 2024). In this context, a traditional forestry education may no longer be sufficient to equip professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to respond effectively. According to Rekola & Sharik (2022), a vibrant forest education is essential for developing the necessary skills and knowledge to maximize the contributions of the forestry sector to sustainable development (FAO, 2024).
This growing need for diverse skills and interdisciplinary approaches in forestry is vividly illustrated by four individuals who embody the Justicier spirit without a traditional forestry background. Their unique paths, covering policy, geodesy, journalism, and international affairs, show how these diverse contributions enrich and evolve the forest sector, proving success isn’t limited by a single educational path.
Interdisciplinary forest heroes
Helga Pülzl is Assistant Director for Policy Support at the European Forest Institute, where she spearheads the Policy Support Facility and its Trust Fund. While her role is central to forest policy today, her academic background is in policy science, not forestry. Her entry into the sector was unplanned: “I have to say I was just lucky meeting the right people and being offered a position at the University of Natural Sciences to do a policy analysis on why there is no international convention on forests. So, for me it happened, I did not select it.” Early in her career, she struggled with forestry-specific terminology and abbreviations, but she underscored the invaluable role of mentorship in bridging knowledge gaps and empowering her contributions: “I’m very blessed to meet high-ranking scientists who take the time to explain concepts and forest management to me.”
Andro Kokeza, a Research Assistant at the Croatian Forest Research Institute, is pursuing a PhD on laser scanning in forest inventories. With a master’s in geodesy, he never envisioned a career rooted in the forest. Yet, fate intervened: “I found a job offer, applied, and I fell in love with forests and forestry.” Despite the ongoing challenges of integrating new methods, Andro’s work is vital; he’s actively bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and traditional forest management, proving that innovation, even from unexpected origins, is essential for a thriving future.
Gerard Fernández works as a Communications Officer at the European Forest Institute’s Mediterranean and Genetic Resources Facilities. With degrees in journalism and international relations, he aims to make forestry accessible: “In my job I make forestry, environment and nature more well known not only for the specialised audience, but also for the general audience, including policy makers and people interested in sustainability.” Though he grew up around science, he still faced a learning curve entering the forestry world.
Carola Chiusi works as Outreach and External Engagement Assistant at European Forest Institute’s Mediterranean Facility. With a master’s in public and cultural diplomacy, she didn’t plan to enter forestry but was drawn to EFI’s blend of international relations, communication, and science. Stepping into the realm of international organizations, she initially found herself adrift: “I felt lost… not good enough for the position. But the trick was: do the scary thing first and get confident later.” This courageous approach allowed her to forge a unique path. Today, she is vital in bridging the critical gaps between science, policy, and communication, bringing a much-needed diplomatic touch to the often-complex forest sector.
The right fit – or the spirit of the Justicier
Despite their diverse educational paths and the initial hurdles of entering a new field, they now reflect positively on their experiences in the forestry sector and even encourage others from outside the field to join. It’s almost as if they all wear a metaphorical cap representing their shared dedication, yet each one sports a single, unique design reflecting their distinct expertise and background.
Helga encourages newcomers to embrace curiosity: “Stay interested and imagine yourself doing something completely different, you might discover career paths you never considered.” Andro acknowledges the difficult start, but reassures: “They should try it, because it might be hard at the beginning, but in the end, it all ends well.” Gerard emphasizes the importance of connection and curiosity: “Networking is key. People are happy to explain their research in simple terms if you show interest.” And Carola reminds us not to fear the unknown: “Don’t be afraid of not knowing the topic – just ask questions. It’s about getting interested in knowing more.”
Together, these individuals don’t just contribute; they actively explore, address, and communicate the increasingly complex challenges facing the forest sector. They represent the right fit, at the right time, for the right purpose.
If you’ve ever believed a career in forestry is exclusively for those with a traditional forestry degree, it’s time to rethink that stereotype, as the forest sector is actively seeking your distinct talent – are you ready to become its next Justicier?
References:
Lippe, R.S., Schweinle, J., Cui, S., Gurbuzer, Y., Katajamäki, W., Villarreal-Fuentes, M. & Walter, S. 2022. Contribution of the forest sector to total employment in national economies – Estimating the number of people employed in the forest sector. Rome and Geneva, FAO and ILO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc2438en
FAO. 2024. The State of the World’s Forests 2024 – Forest-sector innovations towards a more sustainable future. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd1211en
Rekola, M., Sharik, T.L. 2022. Global assessment of forest education – Creation of a Global Forest Education Platform and Launch of a Joint Initiative under the Aegis of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (FAO-ITTO-IUFRO project GCP /GLO/044/GER). Forestry Working Paper No. 32. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc2196en
YLP Mediterranean 2025 – Breaking stereotypes in the forest sector #3
This video, produced as part of the broader story package under the EFI Young Leadership Programme – Mediterranean (YLP-MED) 2025, complements the blog article above by visually exploring the theme Breaking stereotypes in the forest sector.
Created during the programme’s soft skills sessions on communication, storytelling, and filmmaking, the video specifically addresses the stereotype that only a single, specialised academic background is suited for the forest sector.
This story package (article and video) was originally produced by Zala Uhan, Tatjana Sabljić, Stojanka Bilić, and Pamela Elias as part of the EFI Young Leadership Programme – Mediterranean 2025.
