Student chapter of the Society of American Foresters receives national recognition

Student chapter of the Society of American Foresters receives national recognition for second consecutive year

For the second consecutive year, the Society of American Foresters recognized the SFA student chapter among the top three in the nation during the organization’s virtual conference held in October 2020.

“Winning this award for the second year in a row is very gratifying,” said Jacob Muggeridge, forestry major and president of the SFA student chapter. “I hope we can continue the tradition this upcoming year with further events and engagement in the spring semester.”

The recognition is based on the accomplishments of the student chapter, as well as its service to the community.

Muggeridge said that with the guidance of Dr. Rebecca Kidd, assistant professor of forest ecology and SAF student chapter faculty advisor, the chapter actively built and maintained relationships with local groups, such as the Angelina-Nacogdoches Forest Landowners Association, and conducted a number of service projects with Mission Tejas State Park and the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

“Through Dr. Rebecca Kidd’s leadership, student members of the SFA student chapter of the SAF have developed an exemplary record of service to the forestry profession and the East Texas community,” said Dr. Hans Williams, dean of SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. “They are outstanding ambassadors for the SFA forestry program and deserving of this national recognition.”

Student chapter of The Wildlife Society named state and national Student Chapter of the Year for second consecutive year

For the second consecutive year, SFA’s student chapter of The Wildlife Society was named Student Chapter of the Year by the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, as well as the national office of The Wildlife Society.

“It’s a great feeling of satisfaction,” said Cassandra Kapp, SFA forestry student and student chapter president. “We worked so hard and didn’t think it was possible to win it again.”

Kapp credits winning the award to the chapter’s ability to recruit, engage and retain members despite complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

During the previous year, chapter members conducted a number of volunteer and professional development activities, including spotlight surveys for alligators and deer to help determine population density, as well as habitat improvement projects on private properties.

“This national recognition for the second year in a row is not only a testament to the hard work and passion of our students but also is a reflection of the quality of the forest wildlife management program at SFA,” said Dr. Jessica Glasscock, SFA assistant professor of forest wildlife management and faculty advisor.

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