One of the critical issues confronting forest sustainability is inadequate education about the need and actions to sustain these vital ecosystems. Notwithstanding, forestry education attracts low levels of interest and enrollment in Nigeria and globally. Unlike in public secondary schools, information on the perception and willingness toward forestry education and career among private school students is limited. Therefore, our study assessed the (un)willingness and perception toward forestry education and career through a survey of 160 students across eight private secondary schools in Akure metropolis, Nigeria. Descriptive and chi-square statistics were used to analyze the responses. We found a relatively low interest and willingness in forestry education among the students (20%), despite their positive perceptions toward the profession's lucrativeness (73%), their relevant prior knowledge learnt through school's agriculture subject (88%), and their previous tree planting engagement (55%). None of the students' demographics had significantly influenced their professional interest and choice besides having family relation(s) in forestry (χ 2 = 5.731, p = .017). Likewise, only the availability of scholarships, accessible post-study forestry jobs, and adequate integration of forestry into secondary school education could have significantly attracted the students to pursue forestry education or a career. Therefore, improving these key areas is recommended while also creating public awareness to facilitate more positive perceptions about the profession. INTRODUCTIONGlobally, forests serve an essential role in the survival, wellbeing, and livelihood of humans. As such, millions of people rely on forests and their resources for their existence. For instance, forests supply humans with essential materials such as food, medicines, energy, shelter, recreation, and many other benefits (CBD, 2009). However, despite the invaluable significance of the forests, they have been largely subjected to deple-Abbreviations: SSS2, Senior Secondary School class 2.

This study was carried out to assess diversity, biomass and carbon storage potential of some tree species in a Nigerian forest. All trees with Dbh >10cm were enumerated. Tree growth variables, namely the Diameter at the base (Db), Diameter at breast height (Dbh), Diameter at the middle (Dm), Diameter at the top (Dt) and height, were measured for basal area and volume estimation and their frequency of occurrence was ascertained for tree diversity assessment. Fifty-six (56) trees distributed among 21 species and 11 families were enumerated in this study area. Some of these species were Acacia ataxacantha, Blighia sapida, Alstonia bonnie, Ceiba pentandra, Celtis zenkeri, Khaya ivorensis, etc. Funtumia elastica had the highest frequency of occurrence (11 stems) with a Relative Density of 19.64%. Therefore, it could be regarded as the most abundant tree species in the  forest. Shannon Wiener index of 2.62 was recorded for this study with an evenness value of 0.86. Khaya senegalensis stored the highest carbon of 4.86 tonnes, and total Above Ground Biomass (ABG) of 53.64 g/m2, equivalent to 26.82 tonnes of Carbon was obtained for all the tree species. The results from this study showed that there is high level of forest degradation in the study area. Though, the forest could only store small amount of carbon but it has been able to reduce the amount of carbon escaping into the atmosphere. Conservative measures must be put in place to protect the forest from further degradation and this will go a long way in mitigating climate change by serving as carbon sinks.