April 2003, Volume 4, Issue 1

I am pleased to serve as president for the California Alumni Foresters and am fortunate to follow past presidents Kim Rodrigues, Ed Murphy, Russ Forsburg and Neal Ewald, who are still active in CAF activities. In addition to these individuals, Larry Camp, Erin Johnson, and Al Stangenberger have been and continue to be very active in the association. The efforts of these individuals have been invaluable in maintaining CAF’s ability to provide input into the issues affecting our major at Cal.

Our primary purpose is to see that the forestry major at Cal remains a relevant and viable course of study, so that management of California’s wildlands will benefit from well-informed and educated decision makers. The undergraduate degree in forest management requires study in a number of disciplines, including forest science, environmental science and policy, wildlife, and range. Now more than ever such integration of disciplines is critical both to the survival of forestry as a major at UC Berkeley and for adequately preparing students for the many challenges they’ll face as resource managers.

As those of you who have had the opportunity to read the Fall 2002 issue of the College of Natural Resources’s magazine Breakthroughs are aware, the College has selected a new Dean, Dr. Paul Ludden. The executive committee has met with Dr. Ludden, and is encouraged by his interest in increasing enrollment in the college, forestry included. He has conveyed to us his awareness of the value of the forestry major in private meetings and at last year’s annual banquet, where he presented his thoughts regarding the future of the College. We are also encouraged by the fact that his son is majoring in forestry and creative writing, although he does not attend Cal.
This year we are planning to continue with the annual “Northern California Forestry Deans Tour”, which has been beneficial for both the University and profession. Last year the Dean and several associates at the University spent two days visiting several inland and coastal sites and learned of the breadth and depth of the forestry profession, as practiced in California. Those association members involved in the tour were encouraged with the level of interest taken by the Dean and his associates. Comments from those who attended showed a new appreciation for the profession of forestry.

A reunion at Rock Creek in 2000 of some alums from the 1974 and 1975 Summer Camps. Back Row L to R: Thom Sutfin '74, Jim Battagin '72 and '74 Teaching Assistant, Ron Antipa '74, Jim Adams '74. Front Row L-R: Katie (daughter of Chuck and Karen), Chuck Harris '74, Karen Jerger '75, Steve Staub '74

As you may be aware, the Divisional council of ESPM has formed a committee to evaluate the structure of the Forest Science Division and make recommendations. A report titled “Group II. The Future of Forestry and the Forest Science Division” has been released. The workgroup recommends a new approach to the forestry major, in which the Forest Science Division is eliminated, but the forestry major remains, drawing input from the remaining divisions. This move is viewed as a necessary one in order to maintain SAF certification, due to the low enrollment (two graduating seniors this year, 6 last year) and the low number of transfers into the program. I encourage those of you interested in this change to obtain a copy of this report from the College of Natural Resources. The executive committee will be following this process closely, and providing input where needed.

As in past years, we will also be active in the Annual Picnic and Banquet, and hope to see as many of the alumni as possible at these events!