Clubs & Teams

Association of Environmental Professionals

Students interested in networking and professional development in the field of natural resources management are encouraged to attend club meetings for The Association of Environmental Professionals. 

AEP keeps members updated on environmental volunteer, internship, and job opportunities and gives Cal Poly students the unique opportunity to connect with local professionals. With social events, conferences, and scholarship opportunities, AEP offers NRES students a unique and highly beneficial way to get involved!

• Advisor: Priya Verma  <pverma@calpoly.edu>

• President: Kelsie Burruss  <kburruss@calpoly.edu>

• Vice President: Zachary  Wallpe  <zwallpe@calpoly.edu>

Environmental Science Club (ESCape)

During biweekly club meetings, the ESCape discusses upcoming events and frequently has guest speakers. Guest speakers include students, industry members, and professors who care to share their research, senior projects, and travel experiences, among other things. The club is in charge of organizing department activities including MESA, the Open House booth, and the annual banquet. ESCape also coordinates outings for club members such as beach clean-ups and barbeques.

• Advisor: Yamina Pressler  <ypressle@calpoly.edu>

• President: Emily Brown  <ebrown81@calpoly.edu>

• Vice President: Baya Damian  <bdamian@calpoly.edu>

The Cal Poly Logging Team

We are an intercollegiate team of men and women students who are interested in traditional forestry field skills. This includes competitive events like double bucking, axe-throwing, horizontal and vertical chopping, and chainsawing. Participation with the logging team is also a good way to develop practical working skills in a safe environment.

 

• Advisor: Samantha Gill  <sgill@calpoly.edu> 

• Advisor: Jacqueline Rose  <jjrose@calpoly.edu>

• President: Daniel Auten  <djauten@calpoly.edu

• Vice President: Gavin Smyth  <gmsmyth@calpoly.edu>

Looking for Firewood?

Contact: Ben Holtzen bholtzen@calpoly.edu or Luke Levine ldlevine@calpoly.edu

The Cal Poly Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters (SAF)

The Cal Poly Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters functions as a professional organization that strives to provide the latest forestry information and contacts for those students interested in forestry or forestry related careers. 

Club leaders engage regularly with the California SAF Chapter.

The club encourages students to join SAF and gain from the many benefits membership has to offer.

Come to our next meeting and learn more about SAF. The success of the student chapter depends on the active involvement of all forestry students.

• Advisor: Lilli Kaarakka  <lkaarakk@calpoly.edu>

• President: Belen Sibal  <bsibal@calpoly.edu>

Student Association for Fire Ecology (SAFE)

SAFE is the student section of the professional organization, the Association for Fire Ecology (SAFE). Cal Poly's chapter of SAFE is one of thirteen chapters nationwide. SAFE brings together students from diverse backgrounds who share a common interest in fire ecology and related issues, as well as providing an excellent opportunity for students to network with fire science professionals and students from other universities.

Although official membership in SAFE is not required, only students who are official club members can take advantage of reduced-cost or free attendance of annual AFE conferences and other activities held around the country.

• Advisor: Christopher Dicus  <cdicus@calpoly.edu>

• President: CJ MacLaughlin  <cjmaclau@calpoly.edu>

• Vice President: Molli Kadlec  <mkadlec@calpoly.edu>

Soil Judging Team

Soil Judging is a collegiate program sponsored by the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America. Students describe, classify, and interpret soils as a professional soil scientist would, under a time constraint. Following 4 days of practice, students judge 3 soils as individuals, and 2 soils as teams ("groups").

• Advisor: Gordon Rees  <grees@calpoly.edu>

Xi Sigma Pi

Xi Sigma Pi is a National Forestry Honor Society. Students receive an invitation to join based on scholastic achievement. To be eligible for membership, students must rank within the upper 25% of their class and have a "B" average or better. Xi Sigma Pi is currently inactive but will be re-registering in the Spring of 2025.

• Advisor: Ashley Grupenhoff  <agrupenh@calpoly.edu>