Spring 2019 Newsletter

From the Department Head

Welcome…

to the 2019 edition of The Resource newsletter. This new digital format replaces our hardcopy version from previous years. In this newsletter we feature articles written by students in the department as part of a leadership class. The Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences (NRES) Department continues to be a highly positive environment where teaching, scholarship and Learn by Doing flourish.

Program changes: In fall 2019, NRES will begin offering a new master’s degree program in environmental sciences and management that builds on the strength of our undergraduate programs. Read all about it in this newsletter. We anticipate an incoming class of 10 to15 graduate students. The new degree provides advanced degree opportunities through a curriculum that emphasizes the integration of environmental science and management to solve environmental problems.

Faculty changes: Two new faculty members who came onboard in 2018-19 are featured in this newsletter: Nicholas Babin, Ph.D., and Stella Cousins, Ph.D. Both bring outstanding teaching and scholarship to NRES. Cousins has expertise in forest ecology and silviculture; Babin has expertise in ecology, sustainable food systems, and sustainable development. Cristina Lazcano, Ph.D., will be leaving NRES this year for a faculty position at UC Davis, but we are excited to welcome new faculty member Seeta Sistla, Ph.D., in fall 2019 in the area of soil ecology.

Student leadership: One of the many strengths of our department is the opportunity for our students to demonstrate their leadership in class, university activities, and professional organizations. This newsletter features profiles of some of our outstanding students. Our students compete in logging sports and soil judging competitions and perform at a high level regionally and nationally. This is not by accident. These students demonstrate a deep commitment to learning, the foundation of leadership. Our students also continue to be active in professional societies such as the Society of American Foresters and the Association for Environmental Professionals. Our students have learned that it is important to engage with professionals in their fields, both for networking and to experience what the “real world” is like.

We take great pride in the quality of our teaching and scholarship in NRES. In this newsletter, you will read about the scholarship of Professor Richard Cobb and Professor Chris Discus who are working to provide solutions to some of our most pressing resource management issues — forest disease and fire. We are also extremely proud of the students in our various clubs and our alumni highlighted in this newsletter.

Best wishes and thank you for your continued support.

GREG BROWN, DEPARTMENT HEAD
ggbrown@calpoly.edu