Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture

Group webRoad trips, beachside vacations and general relaxation often take precedence when students contemplate summer plans. Backbreaking manual labor, 16-hour workdays and life-threatening situations rarely top a to-do list following completion of an academic year, but Stephen F. Austin State University students Cade Hickman and David Peterson are not typical summer-break revelers.

This summer, Hickman and Peterson, both senior fire management majors in SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, served three months on the Alaska Fire Service’s North Star Fire Crew.

“This crew is special because it’s a training crew,” Peterson said. “By the end of the season, you’re supposed to be hotshot ready, so every two weeks you’re given an evaluation by your superior.”

Peterson explained that the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service Interagency Hotshot Crews are an elite assemblage of wildland firefighters with extensive training, knowledge and physical endurance. These crews are the first responders to high-priority, complex fires that occur across the nation.

AlabamaEmployees of Alabama’s Gulf Shores State Park are now better equipped to share the region’s diverse assortment of wildflowers and plants with visitors thanks to the efforts of three Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture students.

Kelly Reetz, Gulf Shores State Park naturalist, said that she and other employees wanted to create a park wildflower and plant guide for many years, but were unable to due to the sheer amount of time and labor required.

Dr. Pat Stephens-Williams, associate professor of human dimensions of natural resources, learned about their desire for the guide while attending a Certified Interpretive Guide training course held at the park and realized it would be a great opportunity to engage students.

After nearly a year of compiling information and photographs, Angela Sutherland, Lana Welford and Ashley Johnson, all pursuing a Bachelor of Science in forestry, presented the guide containing nearly 200 species of wildflowers and plants to park staff.

“They did above and beyond what I expected,” said Reetz.

Reetz said the guide, distributed at their most recent staff meeting, will serve as a way for all park staff to assist visitors in identifying the area’s most common wildflowers.

View the guide online. 

Barnes edit01web Dr. Jared Bares, assistant professor of horticulture at SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, was recently named the 2016 Young Professional of the Year by The Perennial Plant Association.

The award, announced at the 34th Perennial Plant Association Symposium in Minneapolis, MN, was created to recognize, honor and encourage participation, achievement and growth of young individuals in the industry. Individuals are selected based on their involvement in the PPA, their contributions to the field and their positive portrayal of the perennial plant industry to the public.

Barnes said the award is especially meaningful because he credits the association’s symposium with solidifying his pursuit of a career in horticulture.

“It's touching to see that the group I credit for helping me put down roots for my horticultural career recognize me and my work when I believe they are a big part of the reason I'm where I am today,” he said.

RhodesMontana’s Flathead National Forest recently recognized Samuel Rhodes, a senior majoring in forest recreation management, as a recipient of the 2016 FEAT Award.

Rhodes served as a developed recreation technician at the Spotted Bear Ranger District this summer as part of an 11-week internship through the Student Conservation Association.

Danny Crowley, a fellow SCA intern, said he nominated Rhodes because of his inspiring attitude and intellectual curiosity.

“His passion manifests not only with anecdotal facts and tips, but with an elevating call to action,” Cowley said. “This attitude has had the effect of lifting those around him to an appreciation of spiritual proportions of the wilderness and nature in general.”

Deb Mucklow, district ranger of the Spotted Bear District, said the award, which stands for Flathead Employee Action Team, provides and opportunity for peers to highlight the contributions of coworkers. Term, seasonal or permanent employees of the Flathead National Forest are eligible for this award.

webThe Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture will host a college-wide welcome back cookout at 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 8.
 
Prior to the cookout, a new freshman and transfer student convocation will be held at 4 p.m. in Forestry Room 117. Students will have the opportunity to socialize with faculty, staff and fellow students, as well as learn more about the college’s numerous student organizations. Door prizes will be awarded.
 
 

WEBsylvansThe history of Stephen F. Austin State University’s timbersports team, the Sylvans, is inexorably linked to the university’s forestry program. While the university mascot may be the Lumberjack, an homage to the region’s rich natural resources and forest-based economy, the Forestry Building may be the only location on campus where one might see a student wielding a chainsaw, ax or crosscut saw and not blink an eye.

The Sylvans Professional Forestry Club, as it was originally known, adopted its constitution and was recognized by the university on December 17, 1946, the same year that the SFA Department of Forestry was officially established.

In 1958, the team made its mark in history as one of eight participating schools in the inaugural Association of Southern Forestry Clubs-sponsored Southern Forestry Conclave. Since that time, the Southern Forestry Conclave has grown to include 15 schools from across the southeastern U.S. Each year, the SFA Sylvans compete in both physical and technical events against oftentimes larger, nationally-known universities such as Auburn University, Clemson University, Louisiana State University, University of Georgia and Virginia Tech.

Despite these big-name competitors, the SFA Sylvans have consistently risen to the occasion. According to Dr. Jeremy Stovall, associate professor of forestry at SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture and Sylvans faculty adviser, the Sylvans won first or second place in 29 out of the 31 Southern Forestry Conclaves held from 1986 to 2016.

The team hopes to continue this streak as SFA hosts the 60th annual Southern Forestry Conclave held March 16-18, 2017. Stovall explained that due to the amount of space and logistics required for physical competitions, as well as the sheer number of participants, the event will be held at the Durango’s Canyon event venue located in Mt. Enterprise, Texas.

  1. Research provides better understanding of eucalyptus plantations' ecological impact
  2. Dr. Dale Perritt steps down as chair
  3. SFA Gardens to host seed-saving seminar
  4. ATCOFA partners with SFA's Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology to preserve Texas history
  5. Director of SFA Gardens continues collaborative research with Nanjing Botanical Gardens
  6. Texas Chapter of the Society of American Foresters sponsors student meal
  7. SFA students explore conservation and economic development in Costa Rica
  8. ATCOFA works with T.L.L. Temple Foundation and area leaders to develop Children in Nature Collaborative
  9. Forestry alumnus receives national and state recognition for fire education efforts
  10. Horticulture industry magazine names Dr. Jared Barnes to prestigious '40 Under 40'
  11. Research at SFA’s Broiler Research Center seeks to improve animal welfare, production and economic savings
  12. Dr. Brian Oswald named to Alumni Hall of Fame
  13. ATCOFA and NAI to sponsor Certified Interpretive Guide training
  14. Dr. R. Scott Beasley receives Distinguished Alumnus award
  15. ATCOFA researchers seek to improve understanding of mining industry's forestry reclamation approach
  16. Dr. Kenneth Farrish named 2016-2017 SFA Regents Professor
  17. Dean of ATCOFA appointed to new position at SFA
  18. Department of Agriculture to host Breakfast on the Farm
  19. ETFES Spring Conference
  20. Dr. Sheryll Jerez to be honored at 2016 Teaching Excellence Convocation