Forestry 

Welcome!

Discipline Coordinator: Jan Harms
Address: College of Natural Resources,
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point,
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Telephone: (715) 346-2104
Fax: (715) 346-3624

Accreditation

Accreditation is a non-governmental, peer-review process that assures the quality of the postsecondary education students receive. Educational institutions or programs volunteer to undergo this review periodically to determine if certain criteria are being met.

The educational programs in forest administration and utilization, forest management, forest recreation, and urban forestry leading to the professional degree in forestry of bachelor of science are accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The Council for Higher Learning Education Accreditation recognizes SAF as the specialized accrediting body of forestry education in the United States.

The Society of American Foresters grants accreditation only to specific educational curricula that have been found to meet minimum standards for objectives, curriculum, faculty, students, administration, parent-institution support, and physical resources and facilities that lead to a first professional degree in forestry at the bachelor's or master's level.

Definition

Forestry is the science, art, and practice of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources. Biological, quantitative, managerial, and social sciences are applied to forest management and conservation in urban and rural environments.

Mission

The mission of the UWSP Forestry Program is to provide interdisciplinary, application-based educational programs that develop ethical, employable forestry professionals with the expertise to manage resources sustainably.

Upon completion of the forestry majors students will be able to:

  1. Write and speak in a professional, technically-competent manner and in an appropriate style for diverse audiences.
  2. Recognize the opportunities and constraints of managing forest resources for public benefit.
  3. Collect, manage, analyze, and interpret data using proper sampling designs and statistical computing techniques.
  4. Recognize forest development principles and apply this knowledge through management prescriptions.
  5. Demonstrate broad literacy in forestry options outside their chosen degree program.
  6. Demonstrate mastery of common field methods used by natural resource managers.
  7. Demonstrate broad scientific literacy in the following disciplines: general biology, ecology, conservation biology, plant physiology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics.

Forestry majors:

Satisfying the ever growing demand for forest products throughout the world, enhancing biological diversity, providing wildlife habitat, reducing global warming, meeting the expanding demand for outdoor recreation, and bringing the benefits of nature to the world's urban populations, are but a few of the exciting challenges of a career in forestry. The College of Natural Resources Forestry Curriculum offers you a selection of excellent courses preparing you for a variety of employment opportunities after graduation.

Forest Management

Emphasis on forest environments and land management. Coursework stresses ecological, social, and economic aspects of management. Graduates find employment in a variety of public and private agencies.

Forest Administration and Utilization

Emphasis on the business aspects of forestry. Coursework studies the acquisition, manufacturing, marketing, and use of wood products. Graduates find employment in business areas of forest management, administration, and industry.

Urban Forestry

Emphasis on vegetation management in urban environments. Coursework highlights ecological, aesthetic, and political aspects unique to urban areas. Graduates find employment with municipalities, utilities, and private tree care and landscaping firms.

Forest Recreation

Emphasis on providing and managing visitor use while balancing multiple forest management objective. Coursework highlights outdoor recreation, communication, landscape design, planning and management. Graduates find employment in public and private land management and leisure service agencies.

Ecosystem Restoration & Management

Emphasis on restoration and management of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Coursework focuses on ecological principles in a landscape context. Graduates find employment in a range of non-governmental, public, and private entities. Graduate school is recommended.

Forestry also offers the following minors:

• Forestry
• Forest Recreation
• International Resource Management

To learn more about these majors visit the UWSP Catalog: www.uwsp.edu/news/uwspcatalog/forestry.htm