Student Perspective: Sustainable Forestry Initiative Conference

MSU Forestry freshman Mia White shares why she attended the 2016 Sustainable Forestry Initiative Conference.

MSU Forestry undergraduate student Mia White, center left at the 2016 Sustainable Forestry Initiative Conference.

MSU Forestry freshman Mia White shares why she attended the 2016 Sustainable Forestry Initiative Conference.

Why did you want to go?

  • I wanted to attend the conference because I know that I want to go into forestry, but with an eye into sustainable forestry. I thought that this conference, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, was a great place to start looking into for some guidance. 

What is something you want everyone to know about sustainable forestry?

  •  I want people to know, and I felt the same way, sustainable forestry doesn’t make much sense. In order to be sustainable in forestry, trees will be cut. As trees sequester carbon, it doesn’t make much sense to cut them down - let alone think about the habitats that would be destroyed. However, truly looking at it and thinking about it, the carbon in those cut trees actually can be sealed in the form of wood products. Then, new trees can be placed in those spots. This would make more carbon being stored. There are also regulations against disturbing forestry areas were endangered and threatened species live.

As a MSU Forestry student, what else do you want to learn about sustainable forest management?

  • I want to learn the processes. Through the conference, the speakers discussed how their companies made maps which show different aspects within the forest and where work needed to be done. I would like to learn the science behind creating and making those maps. I’d also like to have more classes and experiences with wood products. There are countless wood products that, if produced, could revolutionize the industry. Lastly, I would like MSU to continue to grow their focus on sustainability. One of the moderators was the dean at Virginia Tech. He spoke about how they revamped their forestry program and other departments to be more sustainable and interdisciplinary. It is brilliant that a college would do that and acknowledge that forestry isn’t just about trees, it connects to any and all. 

Why do you think it’s important that MSU Forestry helped you attend the conference?

  • I think it’s important for MSU to help students attend conferences because sometimes the conferences are very expensive and way beyond the student’s financial capabilities. 

What new innovations or practices did you learn about?

  • I learned more about LEED certifications-which is amazing to have a basic understanding of, as its getting more and more popular. Hearing about what the UK and Canada are doing in terms of climate change and carbon emissions was mind blowing, as well as thinking about how some developed countries are trying to slow down and combat rising carbon with forests and policies.

What else?

  • I appreciate and thank MSU paying for my attendance and travel for this event to help further my learning and understanding of forestry.

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