College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Blog

Author: Windy Veker

From Conversation to Action: Continuing the Work at ForestsNext50

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Around 40 forestry professionals and Society of American Foresters members met at Tech’s Ford Center to discuss plans for the next 50 years of forestry. (Photo courtesy of Tara Bal)

In a guest blog written by Tara Bal, associate professor in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science and President of the Society of American Foresters (SAF), shares insights from SAF’s ForestNext50 Leadership Summit.

Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in the ForestsNext50 Leadership Summit, which took place at Tech’s Ford Center and Research Forest in Alberta, Michigan. This gathering felt less like a standalone event and more like the next positive step in a conversation that has been building across the forest sector for many years. The goal of the convening was to discuss and identify actions aimed at sustaining healthy U.S. forests over the next 50 years.

ForestsNext50 was an opportunity to take previous conversations in forestry a step further by moving from talking about the future to making plans to build it. Earlier this year, I was also able to attend the Markets Matter Convening in Madison, Wisconsin, which brought together hundreds of people from across the forest sector to focus on a fundamental question: How do we strengthen markets, sustainably increase use of forest resources, create new opportunities for material that is currently underutilized, and increase science-based forest management on the ground?  The 9th American Forest Congress was also held in 2025 and brought people together around the future of forests, forest management, and the communities and economies that depend on them.

Building on momentum from these other recent events, ForestsNext50 was designed for more candid discussions and strategic conversations to identify and commit to practical actions.  We followed Chatham House Rules, which allowed participants to speak honestly about hard topics. Campfire chats in the evenings and breaks allowed partners to connect and dive deeper into conversations. Topics ranged from forest health restoration and wildland fire resilience, reforestation, wood markets and infrastructure, stewardship of non-federal lands, governance, and more.

About Chatham House Rule

The Chatham House Rule is a guiding principle that allows people to use information from a meeting while keeping speakers’ identities and affiliations confidential. Created in 1927 at Chatham House in London, the official wording is: “When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.” – Chathamhouse.org

One of the most valuable aspects of the summit was the opportunity to convene with people who have been part of these conversations and to meet others approaching the same challenges from different perspectives. There was a broad range of participants, representing over 30 different organizations, non-profits, public agencies, tribal communities, forestry professionals, and more, yet the total number of people in the room was around 40, so conversations felt like they went further. We could talk in a small group and share out easily. It was clear that the relationships and trust built between participants will have a significant impact on the future of forestry.

There was no shortage of ideas about what the future of forestry could look like. What was harder—and ultimately more important—was figuring out our next steps.  That means moving beyond identifying the challenges to reach actions, including relationships, projects, investments, policies, research, and demonstrations that can address challenges and move the sector forward. For me, that is where the value of ForestsNext50 really stood out.

After three days of gathering, there was so much gratitude in the room for the time, reflections, and valuable ideas from the participants. It was also clear that folks were leaving with stated commitments and real actions for collaborations and partnerships that will continue after everyone goes home. Based on this meeting’s success, it is likely that there will be additional convenings going forward, allowing different voices in the room while continuing to build the relationships that will be crucial to projects and policies moving forward.

The value of events like ForestsNext50 isn’t simply the few days we spend together or getting another meeting in the books. The legacy of this and the meetings that preceded it will be what real actions flow from them.  Michigan Tech College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Dean David Flaspohler encapsulated this idea at the start of the conference.

“My great hope is that years from now, we will look back on this moment as a time when something truly impactful began, and the results, including healthier forests and a thriving renewable forest sector, will be the evidence of our collective success,” said Flaspohler.

Reaching those results requires following up with the people we met, continuing conversations that started in the room, working together, and turning shared priorities into specific next steps.

The forest sector is facing significant challenges, but there is also enormous opportunity to rethink how we manage forests, how we use forest resources, and how we build stronger communities and economies around them and within them. The conversations were not simply about where the forest sector is today. They were about what we can build together over the next five, 10, and 50 years, and what needs to happen now to get there.

ForestsNext50 reminded me that the future of forestry isn’t something that will simply happen to us. We have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to build it and help it grow. The work starts with what we do next.

Note: ForestsNext50 was facilitated by the USDA Forest Service National Partnership Office, Yale Forest Forum, and the Partnership and Community Collaboration Academy, and hosted by the Society of American Foresters and the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Tech.

About the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Michigan Tech’s College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science brings students, faculty, and researchers together to measure, map, model, analyze, and deploy solutions. The College offers six bachelor’s degrees in forestry, wildlife ecology and conservation, applied ecology and environmental science, natural resources management, sustainable bioproducts, and environmental science and sustainability. We offer graduate degrees in applied ecology, forest ecology and management, forest molecular genetics and biotechnology, and forest science.

Questions? Contact us at forest@mtu.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest happenings.

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Summer Youth Programs Introduce Students to Adventures in Natural Resources

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Sierra Williams stands outdoors wearing a Michigan Tech t-shirt, smiling as she guides SYP students along a boardwalk wetland trail.
Students in Sierra Williams’ Summer Youth Program courses don’t just learn about nature, they experience it during field trips that highlight the woods, water, and wonder of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

With the first week of Michigan Tech’s Summer Youth Programs (SYP) less than a month away, spots are filling fast—but registration is still open for many courses. In the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES), outreach coordinator Sierra Williams is looking forward to getting into the labs and out into the woods with middle- and high-school-aged students who are excited to learn about natural resources.

“Students are drawn to these courses due to the time they spend exploring the outdoors, while learning about how the ecosystems function around them through hands-on and field-based activities,” said Williams, whose background includes training in outdoor education.

Under her guidance, students will explore the wild and wonderful world of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula through field trips and projects.

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Wildlife Students Gather Field Data with Flighty Participants

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A point-of-view shot from the back of a canoe shows a student sitting at the front, facing away from the camera towards the sun rising over the Sturgeon River. The canoe is headed down the river towards a bridge. The river is lined on either side with trees and brush.
Wildlife ecology and conservation students perform real-world field research and data collection as part of their capstone projects. (Photo courtesy of Stacy Cotey)

Hands-on research and data collection are essential preparation for a career as a wildlife professional. The wildlife capstone course offered by the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES) guides students through the joys and challenges of collecting data on some of nature’s most elusive research subjects. One of this year’s teams focused on how the bat population uses forest gaps, while another examined how environmental factors relate to bird sightings.

Wildlife Students Close the Gap on Bat Data

Stacy Cotey, assistant teaching professor for CFRES, leads the course, which this academic year included Meghan Boelens, Derek Weide, Jacob Sutter, Graham Bishop and Grace Simpson, all wildlife ecology and conservation students. The Huskies took a closer look at how forest gaps and the way those open spaces are used can affect the bat population.

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CFRES Faculty Featured in Science Magazine for Bird Decline Research

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Jared Wolfe smiles while peering out of the corner of his eye towards the camera as he travels via boat through the Amazon.
Jared Wolfe’s work with rainforest bird populations has caught the attention of Science magazine.

Jared Wolfe, associate professor for the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, made Michigan Tech News headlines on our Unscripted Research Blog last year with his eye-catching subjects and jaw-dropping discoveries. This year, his research into the cause of bird declines in the Neotropics is the focus of a recently published feature article in Science magazine, “Fading Melodies.”

“It’s an honor to have the scientific media outlet of record interested in your work,” said Wolfe. “The fact that they are making it a featured article is even more exciting. Honestly, tropical bird declines have not received the attention they should, and I am glad Science is dedicating the resources to cover this issue.”

Wolfe is no stranger to the spotlight — his research has previously been featured in Audubon magazine and The Guardian multiple times — but says publication in Science represents a “pinnacle of research exposure.” He spent a week in the Amazon with Science reporter Warren Cornwall to provide information for the story. The feature highlights his innovative irrigation experiment in the central Amazon, designed to identify the climatic drivers of pervasive, unexplained bird population declines across multiple sites across the Neotropics.

“We developed an irrigation experiment in the Amazon, watering pristine forest to measure the multifaceted responses of birds, mammals, and insects,” said Wolfe. “The experiment is bold, and the results are compelling.”

Wolfe’s research indicates the declines may reflect changes in climate, such as increasingly severe dry seasons. Read the full Science article for details on his experiment and findings.

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Huskies Battle Glossy Buckthorn in the UP

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A close-up image of a clipboard, canvas bag with a pen, natural herbicide and applicators, and the legs and feet of a researcher in jeans and hiking shoes, who is kneeling in preparation to apply the herbicide. A travel mug of coffee sits next to the bag on the forest floor.
Fighting invasive species takes a lot of work, research and innovation, but Huskies are ready to step into the forest and get their hands dirty for a good cause.

Invasive buckthorn is running rampant in northern forests, including those right here in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Curbing the spread of the invasive forms of the species, which include glossy and common buckthorn, is a formidable challenge, but our Husky experts continue to explore and innovate solutions. Their methods encompass everything from natural treatments to herbicide applications.

Researching An Old Problem for Young Forests

Forest science PhD candidate Chris Hohnholt is among Tech researchers investigating countermeasures against the glossy buckthorn invasion. Hohnholt’s research tested the efficacy, ecology, and economics of three glossy buckthorn treatments: hand-pulling, treatment with a glyphosate herbicide, and treatment with a triclopyr herbicide.

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One Final Lesson: CFRES Grad Selected to Address Fellow Huskies at Mid-Year Commencement

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Quinn Riordan stands in the UJ Noblet Forestry Building, smiling with her arms crossed in a confident pose.
Quinn Riordan looks forward to a career teaching others about environmental stewardship, thanks to her hands-on experiences at Michigan Tech.

When Quinn Riordan shares her farewell message as the 2025 student speaker for Midyear Commencement, she’ll also be continuing to prepare for her future.

“I’m pursuing a career in environmental education and research, which requires a lot of public speaking,” said Riordan. “What’s a better opportunity to get more practice than in front of my whole class?”

Riordan, who is earning her bachelor’s degree in applied ecology and environmental science, said she’s honored to be selected as speaker and grateful to College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Dean David Flaspohler, who gave her the nudge she needed to throw her hat into the ring.

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Forestry and Wildlife Club Represent Tech at National Conferences

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More than 25 foresters and SAF members from around the country gather outside for a workshop on types of wood-cutting axes during the SAF National Convention.
Forestry and Wildlife conferences are more outdoorsy than your typical convention. (Photo courtesy of the MTU Forestry Club)

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science was well-represented at two national conferences this fall—the Society of American Foresters National Convention and The Wildlife Society’s Annual Conference.

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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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