learn how to manage forests for a variety of objectives (rather than simply for profit) and to
apply skills that we have gained across our coursework to create a comprehensive forest
management plan (see Appendix #1) for the Stockton campus. In order to do this, while
simultaneously gaining an appreciation for the depth and extent of managing forests,
students were divided into teams and given complete autonomy in the observation,
collection, and analysis of data.
As the project leader for my particular group, I gained valuable experience as a
project leader during this course. My responsibilities included managing the data
collection efforts of 3 other individuals, coordinating the objectives of all 4 group members,
motivating the team to complete this daunting task in the very limited timeframe, and
organizing/editing our findings and suggestions into presentable media (PowerPoint
presentation and Word document).
Since I will be involved in forest ecology in my professional career and in my
graduate studies, this course was extremely valuable to me. Aside from its teambuilding
value, the course allowed me to begin viewing forests as valuable from a range of
perceptions. Not only are forests valuable for timber production, but they are also vital for
improvement of water quality in local ecosystems, they provide habitat for countless fauna,
and they improve local air quality. The creation of an ecological forest management plan
encompasses all of these facets, and gave me great experience working with forests at a
management level that I will be able to take with me to graduate school and to use later in
life in my professional career.
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