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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Evan Kane (CFRES/ESC) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $283,645 research and development co-op joint agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The project is titled “Stamp Sand Phytoremediation for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.”
Starting 2023, CFRES is holding a photo contest. These photos are from students (undergraduate or graduate). If you’re a student and you’d like to submit images, here are the following guidelines:
The winner for February was Ellie Rizk. The winning image can be seen below.
The winner for March was Sam Kurkowski. The winning image can be seen below.
Here are the other photos submitted in no particular order. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Photo Credit: Joanna Walitalo
