This has been an experience. I'm not too much an outdoorsy kind of girl, so it has been new and exciting. They all did. Beyond learning how not to get lost in the woods, the forest camp, a requirement for forestry majors at both universities, teaches lessons on many levels. That had not always been the case.
Students also benefit from the variety of expertise.
Fountain and Messina are joined in the teaching by Dr. Monty Whiting, SFA forestry and wildlife professor, and a variety of other forest researchers from both universities. The camp lasts for several weeks, so professors are scheduled throughout the session to cover topics from silviculture to ecology to measurements in both pine and hardwood stands. I'm seeing that all the classes I've taken are fitting together out here in the woods. We are actually able to apply what we've learned in classrooms and see how silviculture fits with ecology, for example. Karlovetz plans to use her knowledge of forestry, and the hands-on experience, for a career in education and public relations, teaching children and other groups about forests.