As I look back on my own university experience the days that I remembered most were the days that we got out of the classroom and actually got out to the forest. It was those times that we walked amongst the trees, young or old, and discussed issues of forest ecology, applied management (i.e. silviculture) that were great times of influence. It was moving from the theory of the text books to the reality of woods!
This last semester Mike Jull and I had the privilege of hosting UNBC’s third year Silviculture class taught by Scott Green. Four very full days with the students literally walking through the life cycle of forests as we challenged students to take the theory and explain it in reality a few core topics included:
- Site ecology identification and classification
- Site limiting factors
- Key stages of stand development
- Forest Condition and Health – current and future
- Site Index
- Professional Reliance
- Management Options
- Integrating multiple forest values
This is one of the things that makes the UNBC Natural Resources Management and Forestry Ecology programs so good. Lab time is rooted in reality – not locked in the lab; the application of theory can be discussed with faculty and professionals who are actively engaged in forest management.
-Colin Chisholm RPF
Assistant Forest Manager