NRES Highlights – Fall 2024
Prescribed Fire, Industry Sponsored Student Event, LEAD Scholars, Soil Judging and Logging Team Competitions
Inaugural Cal Poly Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX)
The first-ever Cal Poly Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) took place in October. This collaborative program brought together a diverse group of fire practitioners to enhance fire management skills, strengthen local capacities and support ecological and cultural objectives.
TREX provided eight days of immersive, community-oriented prescribed fire training in the wildlands of San Luis Obispo. In partnership with Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch, NRES Assistant Professor of Wildland Fire Management, Ashley Grupenhoff, was one of the lead organizers. Forestry Fire Sciences major CJ MacLaughlin was able to participate in this groundbreaking event.
First of Its Kind: Industry Open House Student Event
More than 30 students attended a first-of-its-kind industry open house event hosted by Althouse and Meade, Inc. in October. The local biological and environmental services provider opened its doors to students in the NRES and Biology Departments offering breakout sessions for students to learn about environmental consulting.
Althouse and Meade, Inc. did a wonderful job organizing this event and it was very well received by the students.
Pictured: Sophia Marquez (Environmental Management and Protection, ’21), biologist at Althouse and Mead, Inc. giving a fire demonstration at the student open house.
LEAD Scholars
By Amelia DeEulio, environmental management and protection, ‘26
Growing from seven to 22 students in three years, the NRES LEAD (Leadership, Education, Application, Discovery) Scholars Program is increasing in numbers and in impact.
These emerging environmental leaders collaborate with faculty and industry partners on environmental projects that align with their interests and passions. Current projects include reducing waste on campus, creating more community green spaces, developing wetland curriculums for middle schools, data collection in the Morro Bay estuary and more.
The cohort is comprised of students from all three majors: forestry and fire sciences, environmental management and protection, and environmental earth and soil sciences.
This academic year students will continue to expand upon and create new projects and develop leadership skills while partnering with peers, professors and industry professionals.
We’d like to thank our alumni and industry donors who continue to support the growth of the program!
You can make a donation to the LEAD Scholars program online or contact Tim Northrop at tnorthro@calpoly.edu to learn of additional ways to support the program.
Cal Poly Soil Judging Team
Cal Poly’s Soil Judging Team traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico in November to compete in the regional soil judging contest.
“The team again did great, handling some very complex soils in a very different context than what they've ever seen before,” said faculty advisor Gordon Rees.
The students took first place in group judging and second place overall as a team. Three of the students placed in the top 10 as individuals, including Nick Baham, Mollie Bressler and Gavin Wong.
In spring quarter, the team will travel to the University of Wisconsin to compete in the 2026 National Colegate Soils Contest.
Cal Poly Logging Team
By Cadence Esterman, forestry and fire sciences, ‘25
More than 200 competitors, volunteers and spectators attended this year’s Cal Conclave, Cal Poly Logging Team’s annual timbersports competition.
The Cal Poly Logging Team hosted the annual Cal Conclave on Saturday, Nov. 9. Competitors from Cal Poly Humboldt and UC Berkely joined the Cal Poly Loggers to compete in several traditional timbersports events featuring the use of chainsaws, axes, crosscut saws, climbing gear and more.
Ben Holtzen, fourth-year agriculture systems management major, was named Bull of the Woods, a title awarded to the highest-scoring male competitor of the entire event. Daniel Auten, third-year forest and fire sciences major and team president, finished in an impressively close second place.
Alumni of the Cal Poly Logging Team continue to play an essential role in the success of Cal Conclave, donating their time and resources and offering valuable mentorship to current team members. Cal Conclave continues to facilitate the celebration of community, camaraderie, sportsmanship and the personal and professional relationships that grow through the ability to connect with other collegiate teams and natural resource professionals.
The team will travel to Colorado State University in the spring to compete in the national competition.
Read more stories in the Fall 2024 Newsletter
To make an online gift in support of the NRES Department, please use the GIVING link. If you would like to designate your gift for a specific major, scholarship, club or team, please contact Tim Northrop at tnorthro@calpoly.edu.
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