Clemson Forestry Club and SAF Student Chapter
Welcome to the Clemson University Forestry Club and Society of American Foresters Student Chapter. This site provides information about the Forestry Club and upcoming events that we are involved in. There are also updates about what we are doing in and around our forestry community.
If you are interested in joining the Forestry Club or would like more information about purchasing merchandise or firewood, please feel free to contact us by clicking the link at the bottom. 2009 National SAF Convention ORLANDO, FL This fall has been a great one at Clemson University. We finally had rain, Clemson football is playing well again, and, most importantly, this year, seven students from Clemson University had the honor of attending the Society of American Foresters Convention in Orlando, FL. Throughout the semester, our professors at Clemson emphasized the importance of attending the conference and really getting involved with SAF. Although most of us innately understood the significance of membership and participation in SAF, we had varying levels of actual experience with the organization. Our trip to Orlando helped us to understand the depth, novelty, and connection that SAF provides for foresters. Entering the large convention hall in the Coronado Resort and seeing Charles Mann speak on the first day with such passion about American history excited us; we hear in our classes about Native Americans and the significant historical alterations to our landscape in South Carolina, but hearing the material we knew from our courses resoundingly proclaimed to a massive crowd of professionals reminded us of the quality of our SAF-accredited educations. The entire event was spectacular. From the diversity and quality of the quiz bowl in which four Clemson students participated to the bustling energy of the corporations, universities, and government entities in the exhibition hall, we were able to understand the variety and scale of forestry as a field in our society. Although everyone at the convention had different backgrounds-- foresters, historians, appraisers, business people, leaders, professors-- we connected on the fundamental issue that interests us all: advancing the field of forestry. One aspect of the conference that Clemson particularly enjoyed was the break out sessions. The “open door policy” of the break out sessions allowed us each to explore our own interests to whatever degree we desired. From economics to ecology, taxation to non-timber products, and from Florida to Canada, the sessions encompassed a multitude of topics and presented them in ways that were relevant, personal, and meaningful. After the break out sessions, we regrouped and excitedly shared information we had discovered. Since the conference, we have also noticed that these sessions allow us to link our coursework with the most novel forestry topics. Many of us are currently enrolled in courses about forest policy and forest management; experiencing the real strategies that professionals are using in the field gave us new perspective and increased our appreciation of our classes. But let us not forget what everyone knows about the convention: one of the most important aspects of attending the SAF Convention is the amazing networking opportunities it provides. From real-time job interviews with the Forest Service to booths promoting various graduate programs, the SAF Convention is catered to foresters who want to connect on a one-on-one basis with one another. It was amazing to arrive at the convention knowing very few people from outside of Clemson and to leave the convention saying “see you soon” to foresters from all across the nation. The SAF convention facilitated networking in an open, knowledgeable, inviting environment. Returning to Clemson, I think it is safe to say we all have become more aware of the forested world around us. Like the name of the convention “Opportunities in a Forested World,” the SAF Convention provided us with many opportunities to become involved with our profession. --Kristin Heffelfinger
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