College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Blog

Capstones and Community Converge as Huskies Conduct Research in a Local Forest

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Looking up into a green forest canopy.
Close to campus and the City of Houghton, the Pilgrim River Community Forest offers a welcome habitat for both non-human residents and visitors seeking recreation and relaxation. Huskies are studying this treasured resource to determine management techniques that will help keep the forest as healthy as possible. (All photos courtesy Allyson McQuiston)

Huskies in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Sciences care deeply about community and stewardship of natural resources. Allyson McQuiston, Aidan Sheppard, and Spencer Aud are no exception. Sheppard and Aud, both forestry majors, graduated in December 2024. McQuiston, an applied ecology and environmental science major, graduates this month. In this CFRES news blog, they describe their roles in a project designed to maintain and sustain the health of a treasured community resource.

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Michigan Tech Faculty Build Connections with the Next Generation of Researchers in Suriname

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A close-up shot framing a person’s hands holding up two soil samples for comparison during a field excursion workshop in Suriname.
Michigan Tech faculty presented workshops on tropical forest management, conservation practices, and ethical research practices to students in Suriname this February—the second phase of a U.S. Embassy-funded grant project in the region. (All photos courtesy of the “Enhancing Academic Linkages and Research Capacity in Suriname” project)

This February, Michigan Tech faculty traveled to Suriname to build connections and help train the next generation of scientists and researchers. Their trip was phase two of the U.S. Embassy-funded grant project focused on fostering sustainable development and promoting ethical research practices in the country. Suriname is also the home country for Wayne Gersie, Michigan Tech’s vice president for community engagement and professor of practice in the Department of Psychology and Human Factors in the College of Sciences and Arts. 

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Winging it: Summer Job Leads to Senior Thesis

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When she’s not doing research, Maggie Guinther enjoys exploring the Keweenaw Peninsula. Here she is on Mount Houghton. (Image credit: Connor Davis, all photos courtesy Maggie Guinther)

Wildlife ecology and conservation major and bird bander Maggie Guinther can vividly describe what it feels like to hold a bird. Warblers are very soft. Robins are known for pooping all over everything. Her first bird banded was a dark-eyed Junco. But it’s not just about species characteristics. Birds, like people, are highly individual. They might feel some type of way about being handled or be super chill. No matter how they’re reacting, Guinther approaches her task at hand with joy, compassion, and a sense of purpose. In Guinther’s own words, she shares how she began her work last summer and where it led the graduating senior.

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CFRES Welcomes Returning Husky as New Outreach Coordinator

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Sierra Williams in the greenhouse.
CFRES alumna Sierra Williams, shown here in the College greenhouse, returns to her alma mater as outreach coordinator, working with current and future Huskies.

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES) welcomes alumna Sierra Williams as outreach coordinator. She steps into her new position at Michigan Tech eager to pass on her love for the natural world, dedication to education, and Husky spirit to current and prospective students.

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CFRES Faculty Tara Bal Elected Society of American Foresters Vice President

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Tara Bal kneels and inspects the forest floor outdoors on a sunny day.
Tara Bal inspects the forest floor as part of her research on the impact of non-native earthworms on northern hardwood forests. Bal was recently elected Society of American Foresters vice president.

Tara Bal, assistant professor of forest health in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, was elected vice president of the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The organization represents foresters and natural resources professionals, helping them promote thriving forests by bringing the best science, the best practices, and the best people together. Bal said the organization represents a community that ultimately supports sustainable forests and sustainable forest management, and one she has been a part of since she was a student.

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MTU College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Welcomes New Faculty

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Hallway in the UJ Noblet Building with carvings in the wood walls and animal specimens.
The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science is continually growing. This academic year brings new faculty experts in ecology, hydrology, natural resource management, and digital image processing. The college also celebrates new leadership and faculty appointments.

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science welcomed two new faculty members and celebrated our faculty moving into new positions in the college this year.

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From Houghton to Ecuador: Scholarship Winner Shares Internship Experience

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Person standing next to waterfall giving a thumbs up gesture.
Quinn Waterfall Scholarship winner Quinn Riordan explored Ecuador this summer—and did research and outreach with a non-governmental agency that works alongside community farmers. (All images courtesy Quinn Riordan)

Quinn Riordan knew she’d have to land scholarships in order to pay for school. The applied ecology and environmental science major went for the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service from the Obama Foundation—and won!

In addition to receiving up to $25,000 per year in last-dollar financial aid for her junior and senior years, covering Riordan’s remaining tuition after other federal, state or institutional aid is applied, the scholarship also included a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to fund a six-week Summer Voyage between her junior and senior year. For her Voyage, Riordan chose to focus on sustainable agriculture and access to agricultural knowledge.

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CFRES Invites Community to Celebrate Expansion at Ford Center

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Our Ford Center is known for its beautiful surroundings. Recent improvements have made the facility itself more beautiful.

Michigan Tech students, faculty, staff, and the greater community are invited to a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of the new Danis room and patio area at the Ford Center. The event takes place at 3 p.m. Tuesday, October 1 at the Ford Center in Alberta.

Please pre-register to help organizers know how many to expect.

The patio was made possible through a brick paver campaign that wrapped up July 4. The College appreciates the contributions of alumni and friends who purchased commemorative engravings for the spacious and welcoming addition to the Center.

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Tara Bal Nominated to Society of Forestry Board of Directors

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Tara Bal selfie photo with pine forest in the background
Tara Bal, Society of American Foresters Board of Directors vice presidential nominee, recently explored a forest in Sweden on a rainy day.

Tara Bal has been nominated to serve a three-year term on the Society of American Foresters (SAF) Board of Directors as Vice-President.

“It’s a great honor to be nominated,” said Bal. “SAF serves as an opportunity, for myself and others, to forge new connections, engage on diverse topics, and give back to the forests that provide for us, by providing resources for the landowners and managers that take care of them.”

The board position is structured in a three-year succession: serving one year as vice president, one year as president, and one year as immediate past president. The election will be held throughout September, with the terms of elected board members beginning January 1, 2025.

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