College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Preservation of Historic Ford Alberta Sawmill

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An aerial view of the Ford Center and surrounding forest.
The Alberta pump house will soon open to the public as the Historic Ford Welcome Center, part of ongoing preservation efforts that include the historic Ford Alberta sawmill.

Michigan Tech’s College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science is delighted to partner with the Baraga County Historical Society (BCHS) to open the Alberta pump house to the public as the Historic Ford Welcome Center and celebrate the preservation of the historic Ford Alberta sawmill. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the pump house at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 12, marking a significant achievement in preserving and honoring the location’s rich history.

“It’s really important that the Baraga County Historical Society has a physical presence on the Alberta campus,” said Mark Rudnicki, Ford Center and Forest director and a professor of practice in forest biomaterials. “They’ve played a leading role in fundraising for the sawmill restoration to date and I very much look forward to seeing their continued success.”

The Ford sawmill and pump house, located 10 miles south of L’Anse, Michigan on US Highway 41, has been an icon of Upper Peninsula Ford history since its establishment 90 years ago. BCHS said the opening of the pump house as the Historic Ford Welcome Center and the preservation project of the sawmill is pivotal to the legacy of Henry Ford in Baraga County and ensures that future generations can appreciate and learn from these important pieces of our history.

“We are proud to celebrate the preservation of the Ford Alberta sawmill and the opening of the Ford Welcome Center,” said Paula McElroy, president of BCHS. “This project, spearheaded by chairperson Mike DesRochers and his Historical Society committee, reflects our commitment to preserving our local history for present and future generations and contributing to the cultural enrichment of our community.”

The ceremony will feature remarks from Michigan Tech and BCHS leaders and special guest Todd Bryan, president of the Henry Ford Heritage Association. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the former pump house as the new Historic Ford Welcome Center, now a satellite of the Baraga County Historical Museum, meet with preservation committee members to learn more about the history and significance of the site, and enjoy light refreshments.

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College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Welcomes New Professor

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John McCarty stands on the boardwalk at the Nara Trails, a popular birdwatching spot near Michigan Tech’s Campus.
John McCarty joins CFRES as a professor of practice.

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES) welcomes John McCarty to our faculty as a professor of practice. McCarty, who holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University, describes himself as “broadly interested in ecology and environmental science and how science can contribute to multidisciplinary solutions to environmental problems.” His focus here at Tech will be on training and mentoring the next generation of ecologists and natural resource professionals.

“My goal is to help students reach their academic and professional goals—to help ensure they develop the skills needed to work effectively as members of multidisciplinary teams seeking solutions to complex environmental challenges,” McCarty said.

McCarty’s lab and field work is concentrated on bird conservation. His recent projects include investigating the role of natural areas in maintaining diverse and abundant bird communities, how changes in farming practices impact bird and butterfly communities, birds and butterflies in urban environments, and use of agricultural fields as stopover sites for migratory shorebirds.

McCarty worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service early in his career, finding solutions to widespread PCB contamination in New York’s Hudson River. He also worked at the interface between science and policy as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science Policy Fellow in Washington, D.C. In that capacity he focused on global climate change and topics related to natural resource management. He more recently served as a member of a US Environmental Protection Agency Scientific Advisory Panel, providing science-based expertise on policy matters related to endocrine disruptors and other environmental hazards. McCarty also led efforts by the Nebraska state chapter of The Nature Conservancy to develop and implement a statewide policy addressing global climate change.

“Michigan Tech and our college in particular is very fortunate to have Dr. McCarty join our team,” said CFRES Dean David Flaspohler. “John brings extensive experience to his role in the college, including instruction for our introductory first-year class, The Natural Resource Professional (FW1050), which is also part of Michigan Tech’s Essential Education program. The students really enjoy his thoughtful and welcoming approach to teaching this important class.”

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Michigan Tech Hosts Four Days of SEED Programming in Detroit, Empowering Local Youth Through Environmental Education

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More than 50 students and instructors who participated in the SEED program pose together for a photo at a park in Detroit on a bright, sunny day.
SEED, an immersive, place-based STEM summer learning experience led by Michigan Tech, involved more than 100 students in hands-on experience with environmental science and its real-world applications. (Photos courtesy of SEED)

In this guest blog by College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Dean David Flaspohler and Michigan Technological University Vice President for Community Engagement Wayne Gersie, learn more about a program designed to bring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education to students in an environmental framework that they might not otherwise experience.

Michigan Technological University recently wrapped up an immersive summer learning experience that began with a gathering in the Upper Peninsula and extended to outreach in Detroit.

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Ford Center Sawmill Re-clad through Husky Innovation and Industry Partnership

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An aerial view of the Ford Center Sawmill and surrounding forest.
The Ford Center Sawmill is getting a fresh new look this summer with exterior siding from LP Building Solutions.

The historic Ford Center Sawmill at Michigan Tech’s Ford Forest and Center is getting a facelift. One of three original Ford-operated sawmills in Baraga County, Michigan, the circa 1936 sawmill is receiving all-new exterior siding from Louisiana Pacific Building Solutions (LP). 

College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Dean David Flaspohler said the siding project, now underway and expected to be completed by the end of summer, is made possible through the generous support of LP, a local donor, and has a direct connection to Michigan Tech research.

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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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Forestry Club Tree-dition Plants Seeds for a Merry and Bright Future

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Two forestry club members pose carrying a massive tree through the snowy woods.
Michigan Tech’s Forestry Club harvested 86 trees for their annual Christmas Tree sale from two Tech owned properties. All photos courtesy of club secretary Tristan Walk.

Michigan Tech’s Society of American Foresters Forestry Club’s annual tree sale is a long-standing tradition at Michigan Tech. Forestry Club secretary and forestry major Tristan Walk ’26 said the written record of the sale dates to the early 1980s, while the anecdotal record places the start of the tradition somewhere in the 1960s or 1970s. Club paperwork shows trees were bought wholesale from tree farms south of Chassell and in Iron River in the 1990s through the 2000s, although neither company offers bulk wholesale these days.

In recent years, the club has supplied their sale with wild-cut trees from Michigan Tech’s Wilkinson Tract. Students drive out into the woods and fan out on foot, assessing the types of trees they are looking for based on what is available in the area and what is best for the forest. Club members usually cut six- to eight-foot conifers as well as small “Charlie Brown” sapling trees, taking care to thin the area but not decimate the conifer population. They also seek out one larger 15- to 20-foot tree for the U. J. Noblet Forest Resources Building Atrium.

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Natural Resource Career Fair Helps Students Find their Path

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Hands holding a rectangular compass.
RJ Laverne, forestry ’80, displays one of his prized possessions: a compass he purchased in 1979 when he was a student at Michigan Tech.

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science’s Natural Resource Career Fair continues a legacy of genuine investment in student success passed down from CFRES faculty and alumni to the next generation of professionals. R.J. Laverne, a Davey Tree company representative, Tech alum, and adjunct professor opened Career Fair by likening the event to one of his prized possessions: a compass he bought in 1979, not long after he became a Husky.

“I think that for the students who will participate today, you may just find the right person at one of these tables to point you in the right direction. This could be the career compass that puts you on the first step toward a successful career,” said Laverne, who earned his forestry degree in 1980.

He emphasized the impact Michigan Tech’s faculty had on his career, particularly former forestry head Gene Hesterberg. “I was, on a good day, a mediocre student. Despite my poor academic performance at other institutions, Dr. Hesterberg took a chance on me,” said Laverne.

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