Mont Alto Forestry Students at the Keystone Chapter SAF

The Keystone Chapter SAF (Society of American Foresters) met atStrawberry Hill Nature Preserve for our fall meeting. Executive Director Chuck Reid led the members on a tour of the forestry operations at Strawberry Hill. We also visited the Tree Farm Number One site, previously owned and managed by Glatfelter Paper, that is now part of the Michaux State Forest. District Forester Roy Brubaker outlined plans to add the forest site to the State Forest's program. Glatfelter foresters filled us in on how the property was previously managed.

Six Mont Alto forestry students attended the meeting and the dinner at the Pavilion at Strawberry Hill. Many thanks to the SAF members who sponsored the students. 

Students introduce themselves

Looking over a thinning/harvest site at Strawberry Hill

Thinning/ Harvest site

At Tree Farm Number One

Pond at Strawberry Hill

Cabin at Strawberry Hill

Check out the meeting on this map.

PSU 24

Today is a social campaign called #PSU24 to highlight everything happening at Penn State in one day. Our Penn State Mont Alto Forest Technology contribution is on Twitter and Facebook.
Here is the picture we used and a few more.

Volunteers Provide Tree Care in the Arboretum

Over 30 students, alumni, and faculty participated in the “Every Day is Arbor Day” event, on Oct. 11, during Parents and Family Weekend.

Throughout the day, they worked in the Penn State Mont Alto Arboretum, removing dying white ash trees from behind Mont Alto Hall, pruning dead branches from the oaks that line the library drive, and eradicating exotic invasive trees. Also, following a short lunch break, the forest technology students participated in a woodsmen demonstration.

Seven Penn State Mont Alto alumni, who are employed with Bartlett Tree Experts, Cumberland Valley Tree Service, Winterthur Estates, and ArborMetrix, volunteered their time for a day of service. In addition, the Chambersburg office of Bartlett Tree Experts donated the use of a chipper and truck for the day.

Overall, it was very productive day and saved Penn State Mont Alto thousands of dollars in tree care, according to Forest Technology Instructor Beth Brantley.
More photos of the day can be viewed here.

Society of American Foresters Convention at Salt Lake City

This year three Penn State Mont Alto students attended the SAF Convention in Salt Lake City. This year the convention was combined with the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) and IUFRO meetings. Here are a few pictures.

Here are the quiz bowl participants . Aaron Lewis, Alex Storm, Ethan Mansfield, and Coby Salmon. Alex was on the winning team! (Aaron and Coby are current Mont Alto students. Alex and Ethan graduated this past May and are now at UP). This year students from different schools were combined with Canadian and international students.

On Friday we did a little sight-seeing and visited scenic Provo Canyon where there are some very interesting parks and the amazing Bridal Veil Falls.

Coby Salmon, Aaron Lewis, Ben Stephey, and Peter Linehan

Bridal Veil Falls

On the way back to the main road we came across these mule deer. 

Many thanks to Mr. Marc Lewis (Aaron's Dad) for suggesting the outing and renting the car!