College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

The Midwestern Forester’s Conclave had not been held since 2019 where it was hosted by the Purdue University student chapter of the Society of American Foresters. Students from Michigan State University (MSU) and Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech or MTU) decided it was time to get Conclave back up and running. With a tremendous amount of support from Michigan Tech, students in the Forestry Club at MSU made their way up to MTU’s Alberta Ford Center in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) to compete in the timber sports challenge on October 7, 2023.

Events in the timber sports challenge include:

• Tree ID
• DBH estimation
• Traversing 
• Match splitting 
• Bolt throw
• Log roll 
• Underhand chop
• Double Buck
• Single buck 
• Pulp toss

MSU students trained hard and were well prepared, thanks to the guidance and expertise of former Conclave participant and current instructor in the department of forestry, Jarred Saralecos. “I wanted to be supportive, however the students needed. I have a little bit of a background in the timber sports world, and I knew this was a good opportunity to give back to the students,” said Saralecos.

Randy Klevickas, manager of the Tree Resource Center on MSU’s main campus, was also instrumental in the students’ participation in Conclave, traveling up to Marquette to support the club. “I had a blast watching the students laughing, having so much fun and working together. That is dear to my heart,” said Klevickas.

“I think it really sealed the bond with the new students. We definitely have some good memories now. Doing timber sports will foster these bonds in future years,” said Emily Vaillencourt, former Vice President, and now President of the Forestry Club at MSU.

MSU participants Austin Hart and Ben Eiler especially enjoyed the more athletic events of sawing and chopping.  “We are starting from scratch learning these skills.  Everyone is laid back and learning together. It’s great to grow ties with other forestry school students,” said Hart.

Reflecting back on his timber sports days, Saracelos feels that forestry students really connect over these events. “It was the one time where I really felt like I was a part of something. It made me feel much closer to the department, it was very unifying,” said Saralecos. Klevickas praises the inclusivity of the future foresters from both schools, noting that participants of all backgrounds and skill levels joined together to learn, grow, and develop camaraderie.

The Forestry club hopes to continue to grow their numbers and encourage participation in activities like timber sports. “I think [timber sports] will help with club participation. I’m definitely going to push for us to get more timber sports equipment. I hope we can get more people on board,” said Vaillencourt.

The MSU Forestry Club wants to extend their deepest thanks to the Michigan Tech Forestry Club for all of their hard work in hosting the event.

About Conclave

The Midwestern Forester’s Conclave was first established in 1954 by charter schools Purdue University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Iowa State University, and University of Minnesota. Michigan Technological University and Missouri joined shortly after. According to the Midwestern Forester’s Conclave Constitution, published by Steven’s Point during their hosting of the 2018 Conclave, the purpose of the event is “to promote leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, friendly competition, and professionalism, among members of the Midwestern Forestry Clubs through the showcase of various forestry skills and techniques.” MSU hosted Conclave in 2013, as part of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series.

2024 Conclave

The Midwestern Forester’s Conclave 2024 will be held in Duluth, Minnesota next year, hosted by the University of Minnesota Forestry Club on the weekend of April 12th through the 14th. Students in the forestry club are excited to attend and hope to bring an even more competitive edge, but most importantly – have fun.