Förster

Förster is a German term meaning forester or forest ranger. In German-speaking countries, a Förster is a civil service official responsible for the management and protection of forest resources within a forest district. Typical duties include sustainable timber production, reforestation, game and wildlife management, fire prevention, forest health, and enforcement of forestry and hunting laws. The exact rank and structure vary by country, with titles such as Oberförster or Revierförster used for higher or intermediate levels within the forestry administration.

Etymology and usage have their roots in the Germanic word for forest (forst). The office emerged within state and princely administrations as a professional role integral to resource management, law enforcement, and fire control, adapting over time to modern forest policy, conservation, and environmental stewardship.

Förster also appears as a surname, particularly in Germany and other German-speaking regions. Notable individuals with the name include Theodor Förster (1910–1974), a physicist known for describing Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The surname is sometimes transliterated or anglicized as Foerster or Forster in non-German contexts, reflecting variations in spelling across languages and periods.

See also: Forester, Forster, Foerster.