NRES Highlights - Summer 2024

New Faces, Farewell, Soil Judging and Logging Team Competitions

Welcome! Jamie O’Kane, Instructional Support Technician 

Jamie O’Kane (Environmental Earth Science, ’18) began her new role as an instructional support technician at the end of spring quarter. 

Previously, O’Kane worked as an administrative coordinator for Cal Poly’s Architectural Engineering Department. As an alumna, she has personal understanding of NRES programs and brings years of industry experience that provide valuable skills in managing student employees, equipment inventories, the van fleet, soils labs and a variety of other duties.

“I can’t express in words how lucky we are that Jamie chose to come work with us,” said Jeremy James, department head, “Jamie has incredible initiative, deep project management experience and a work ethic that supports our students and faculty in an incredible way.” 

O’Kane’s extensive skillset, educational background and high level of expertise allowed her to step into this unique position and hit the ground running. 

NRES Retirement: Best Wishes to Jeff Reimer

Instructional Support Technician Jeff Reimer retired after 27 years of serving Cal Poly’s natural resources programs. Reimer joined the department in 1997 after earning a bachelor’s degree in forestry and natural resources and a master’s degree in agriculture.

Often working behind the scenes, he made the success of students, faculty and the programs his top priority. “Don’t make it about yourself. If you enjoy helping others, you can’t lose,” Reimer said.

His diverse skillset allowed him to tackle an array of projects, such as supporting Cal Poly’s 3,200-acre Swanton Pacific Ranch, running a Christmas Tree Farm, developing and maintaining departmental computer labs, managing web and email servers, providing video conferencing (long before “Zoom”) and managing a fleet of vehicles in support of 100+ field trips per quarter. Reimer supported countless students and faculty, played a vital role in the success of departmental programs and contributed to numerous key campus initiatives.

Reimer was a founding member the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institutes (UFEI) which addresses the increasing need for improved management of the urban forests in California. His graduate project, SelecTree, laid the foundation for the institute and he remained an integral part during his time at Cal Poly.

“Time is your most valuable asset,” he would often say. Those are words of wisdom that he lived out every day and NRES greatly benefited from the time he invested in the department.

“It has been an honor and privilege to work with Jeff,” said Jeremy James, department head, “Jeff artfully combined strong job knowledge and skill with an innate ability to work within and across teams to get important work done.  With clear-eyed vision and a steady hand Jeff helped lead his department through a range of critical transitions over the two-plus decades. Our students, faculty and staff are all better for having known and worked with him.”

Reimer and his wife Carey plan to hit the road with their camper to explore the U.S. while spending time with friends and family along the way.

Cal Poly Soil Judging Team

The Cal Poly Soil Judging Team continues to excel throughout the academic year, highlighting Cal Poly and the environmental earth and soil science program. The team took first place at the regional level, then attended the 2024 National Collegiate Soils Contest in Ames, Iowa.

“The team took seventh place overall in the nation, our third year in a row in the top 10 and a really impressive result from this group as eight of the nine members of the team were brand new to soil judging this year,” said Professor Gordon Rees, who coached the team.

Cal Poly Logging Team

The Cal Poly Logging Team continues to be recognized for their skill, sportsmanship and team spirit. The team hosted a successful Cal Conclave event and qualified for the Association of Western Forestry Clubs (AWFC) Conclave. 

At the 2024 AWFC held at Cal Poly Humboldt  Cal Poly was represented by more than 20 Logging Team members. Cal Poly’s A-Team placed third overall and fourth-year forestry and fire science major Kelly Schwenger was named Belle of the Woods, the top female competitor for the second consecutive year. Cal Poly students also took five of the top six places in dendrology and first place in the timber cruise competition. Cal Poly Logging Team alumni attended as volunteers and to support the team.

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Read more stories in the Summer 2024 Newsletter