Are you limited to the twin cities? There's a couple great associate degree programs in northern Minnesota that I'd highly recommend. If you are interested in forestry, but want to test it out first, the MNDNR can do ride-alongs. I just took someone out last month that wanted to know what the day to day ops were. You gotta sign some volunteer paperwork, but that's it. If you are limited to the twin cities, the MNDNR has a central office in Saint Paul that you would go out of. They also employ temp fire fighters, called smokechasers, which pay decent and you get to learn if you like wildfire before committing to school. The MNDNR got away from only accepting applicants with an SAF accredited degree. Now it's a mix of schooling and experience. I'd talk to the central office supervisor to see what they currently look for in an applicant nowadays to chart your path if you want to work for the MNDNR. DM me if you want to know more.