College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Dear MSU Forestry Alumni and Friends,

Starting a new year provides an opportunity to reflect and look towards the future. While MSU had some challenges in 2023, support from all facets of our community – faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends – helped us come together to not only persevere but grow and accomplish great things. Based on a strong foundation of traditional forestry knowledge and skills, MSU Forestry has continued to innovate and lead in education, research, and outreach.

We are innovating in education and expanding the forestry workforce through our recently established hybrid online M.S. in Forestry, a professional degree tailored to students with a Bachelor’s degree in a non-forestry field. Intensive in-person field sessions teach fundamental skills. Courses delivered online then guide additional field-based learning, regardless of where the student resides. This innovative degree program is the first of its kind in the U.S. and just cleared the first step (candidacy status) for accreditation by SAF. In the second year of the program, we are delighted to have 24 students enrolled, a substantial percentage of our student body (see page 10). Please help us recruit additional students to the Hybrid M.S., or visit for.msu.edu/hybrid for more information.

We also are forging new connections between forestry and other disciplines, which elevates forestry as a discipline. Dr. Samantha Gailey, who is jointly appointed with MSU’s Mott Department of Public Health, joined the Forestry faculty in August and is pursuing interdisciplinary research and teaching on the impacts of forests and trees (especially in urban areas) on human health outcomes (see page 9). To my knowledge, this is the first position of its kind in the U.S. 

As highlighted on page 4, Baker Woodlot continues to be a foundational resource, especially for teaching and outreach. It was great to read alumni memories of Baker – a place of great learning. Under the leadership of Forestry alum Nick Sanchez (B.S. 2013) and Dr. Deb McCullough, Baker was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network. While Baker has a long history of management and may not fit a narrow old-growth definition as untouched by humans, Baker’s careful and thoughtful management over the years has promoted the growth of large trees, a diverse size structure, and a diverse species composition.

Initiatives too numerous to include in this reflective letter (and covered in other communications) create a bright future for MSU Forestry. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in learning more about current initiatives and how your support can help create a brilliant future for our department and students.

Go Green!

Rich