College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

As I walk around my community I often find myself pondering the impact I have on my environment. From the emissions of my vehicle to the trees I’ve planted in my backyard, all have consequences—both positive and negative—to the larger community in which I reside. Similarly, the community of Spartan Foresters have had all sorts of impacts on our world—from the management of state forests, to cultivating the next generation of resource managers, Spartan Foresters play an important role.

In this vein, the Forestry Alumni Association seeks to encourage positive impact among our community of alumni. On April 13, alumni volunteered as part of the MSU Day of Service, lending their skills to invasive plant removal. On September 28th, we will once again host our fall football tailgate outside the former site of the Chittenden Cabin. This “reunion” lends opportunities to reconnect with old classmates and reflect on our time at MSU.

Alumni can also impact the burgeoning education and career pathways of students and recent graduates. One great way to foster the development of an early career forester is to establish a mentor relationship. Many students and early-career professionals are still trying to find their ‘niche’. Your experience can serve as a valuable guide to help others figure where they fit in the many facets of resource management. The Forestry Alumni Association can help match you directly to a student who’s interested in your experience.

Similarly, internships are a great way for students to experience the many practices of forestry. The Forestry Department is always looking for more internship opportunities to offer students and alumni are great ambassadors and gate-keepers into the professional forestry world. We encourage all of our alumni to consider establishing internship programs and hosting an MSU Forestry intern within their workplace.

We recently revised the alumni contact form on the MSU Forestry website (https://www.canr.msu.edu/for/alumni_giving/alumni_contact_form). The form now allows you to update your contact information and indicate ways in which you’d like to get involved, including our mentorship and internship programs. Please take a moment to update your contact information, and let us know how you’d like to make an impact.