College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Tag: SAF

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.

“I aim to create a positive and meaningful impact across diverse forests and communities and would be honored to continue to do so as SAF’s Board Vice President.”

Tara Bal, assistant professor of forest health, College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
researcher Tara Bal inspecting oak tree with their fingers
Bal checking the wound on tree for oak wilt vectors

Bal is an assistant professor of forest health in CFRES where she explores problem-solving strategies for mitigation of issues that affect our forests and forest products, and conveys the latest science to students, industry, and the public. She is an SAF-certified forester who has been a member of the organization since 2003. Bal has served several roles with SAF, most recently as a board of directors District V representative. 

“I always describe myself as a forester, first and foremost,” said Bal. “I am passionate about forestry education as the foundation of our field, across all the various disciplines inherent to promoting healthy and productive sustainable forests.” Bal finds inspiration and motivation in recruiting and advocating for a diverse range of students and young professionals. Bal mentors research graduate students, advises Master’s of Forestry students and is co-director of Women in the Academy (WIA).

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 of science degrees and 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 X for the latest happenings.

Steve Mintz is the marketing and communications manager for the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Tech.

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Sean Sobaski – 2010

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Sean Sobaski has accepted a position as a a procurement forester with PCA (Packaging Corp of America) in Manistee, Michigan.

Sean says, “As a procurement forester at PCA we run a base mix of chips that consist of 70% aspen and 30% hardwood mix.” Sean also comment that because PCA is SFI and SAF accredited and audited, the jobs has witnessed lay rest to his fears that pulp mills take everything and leave nothing. “Most jobs I have been part of consist of TSI treatments, and result in a pristine harvest with reseeding of skid trails and landings after the harvest is complete,” he says.

Sean also praised his education saying, “Its hard to see the knowledge that is needed in this profession when you are attending school, but it’s very rewarding as a forester stick out above the crowd and receive a job such as this!”

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