College of Forestry « At Oregon State University

*Jill in front of Gollinger Wasserfall in Austria.*

COF natural resources major Jill Aire was recently named a Oregon Consular Corps Scholar for 2025 – an award offered to Oregon college students passionate about international affairs. Creating a personalized specialty of Ecological Consciousness within the natural resources major, Aire is studying the intersections between social and ecological systems and human connections to the natural world.

“This focus will help me recognize how human cultures, values and policies shape ecosystem management, and in turn, how these ecosystems impact human well-being,” Aire said.

Her favorite class at Oregon State so far has been ENT 300: Pests, Plagues and Politics, which introduced her to the intersection between technology, society and the natural world. Aire was invited to be a teaching assistant after taking the course, which further reinforced her passion for exploring the connections between the natural world and human systems.

“I gained a deeper appreciation for the critical role insects play in ecosystems and how they intersect with broader environmental and policy issues,” Aire said. “To be a well-rounded natural resource professional, it is essential to understand all aspects of our ecosystems, including often overlooked yet vital insect populations.”

Her educational and research passions are rooted in creating resilient and ecologically informed communities as a way to mitigate impacts of climate change. These passions have taken her abroad to Austria where she researched international policy, climate change impacts and renewable resources in urban infrastructure. Then, she traveled to Castilla La Mancha University in Spain, where she worked with an interdisciplinary team of researchers to develop effective post-fire recovery practices.

*Jill at the European Union Parliament building in Brussels with the Austrian flag.*

“All these experiences encouraged my international perspective, as well as fostering connection with diverse communities and provided me with a wealth of knowledge that I will continue to explore during my time at Oregon State,” Aire said.

After graduation she hopes to pursue a career in foreign service through the US Department of State, working with international governments and communities to develop effective natural resources management, sustainable energy production and urban greening projects. These goals blend her academic background in ecology and sustainability, with the aspiration to help craft foreign policy that supports global management efforts and aligns with U.S. interests.

“My ultimate goal is to forge international policy connected to climate change mitigation and adaptation,” she said. “I am especially passionate about fostering global cooperation on environmental issues, as I believe such efforts are essential to creating a more sustainable and equitable world.”

Outside of academics, Aire enjoys exploring Oregon’s natural landscapes, spending time with her roommates and her two cats, Ponderosa and Maple.

By Lorelle Sherman, OSU Extension Forester

*The author photographing purple martins. All photos by Lorelle Sherman*

Becoming a birdwatcher

Birdwatching is the perfect gateway to learning more about the ecosystem around us. Birds are excellent indicators of ecosystem condition because they respond to ecological change. If you plant native berry-producing bushes in your backyard, you may be visited by a suite of fruit-eating birds, like robins and bluebirds. If a wildfire burns through your forestland, you may discover new species of woodpeckers and flycatchers that utilize the influx of dead wood and open space. If you put a nectar feeder up… hummingbirds!

Through birdwatching, we can start to recognize the ways different species and resources are interconnected through the ecosystem services birds offer including seed dispersal, pollination, and insect control. Birds play a significant role in seed dispersal by both passively and actively transporting seeds, primarily through frugivory (eating fruits) and seed-caching behaviors (saving fruits for later). They digest the fleshy part of the fruit, leaving the seeds intact, which are then excreted often farther from the plant than would occur by wind dispersal. Some seeds even have adaptations to stick to bird bodies so they can be dispersed over long distances during flight. Recent studies have confirmed that several songbirds in Oregon (orange-crowned warbler, yellow warbler-rumped warbler, etc.) provide pollination services while foraging in flowers. The diet of birds ranges widely, but some species specialize in eating insects. Even species that lean towards herbivory as adults will feed their nestlings insects to ensure proper nutrition during rapid nestling growth. Collectively, bird populations can act as a control on insect populations and enhancing bird communities near crops has been a pest control strategy implemented in agriculture.

Birdwatching also allows us to key into changes in habitat over time, year-to-year variation in weather, and long-term changes in climate. In order to do this, we must recognize that there are resident species which remain local year-round, and migratory species which fly between breeding habitat and overwintering habitat. Resident bird populations can act as indicators of local weather patterns and ecosystem health, so monitoring their populations is valuable for public lands, local parks, and even our backyards (more on this later). Migratory bird populations can clue us into shifting weather patterns over time and large-scale changes to the landscape. For example, if warmer temperatures happen earlier each spring, we may see a mismatch in timing between the return of flower-feeding songbirds and the flowering of plants.

If you are new to birding, I recommend spending an hour each morning sitting in your backyard or favorite park with a notebook, field guide to western bird species, maybe a pair of binoculars, and possibly an identification app on your phone. Take notes on the different sounds you’re hearing. Are they long and melodic? Deep and guttural? Short, high-pitched chips? Practice taking notes on any birds you see. What color are the back feathers? The belly feathers? Any white bars on the wings? A long or short bill? How long is the tail? Take notes on the behavior of the bird. Where in the environment is it perched or flying? Is it bobbing its body up and down or flicking its tail? In my opinion, taking notes is integral to becoming a better birder. We are lucky to be birdwatchers during the rise of user-friendly technology that brings birding right to our fingertips. Websites and apps on our mobile phones are incredibly helpful and can be a tool in addition to your trusty notebook.

Next level birdwatching

The right app on your cell phone can help you identify species, log your bird sightings, and even connect with fellow bird enthusiasts. Here are a few of my favorite free technological resources:

Merlin Bird ID – Developed by the experts at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this app has several functions. The Bird ID feature guides users through a series of questions to narrow down the possibilities based on size, color, and behavior, offering a shortlist of potential matches The Sound ID feature records and analyzes the bird songs and calls around you providing real-time suggestions for the birds it detects. The app includes regional bird packs, has offline functionality, and is integrated with eBird allowing users to contribute their sightings to the global eBird database.
eBird – Also created by Cornell Lab, eBird is a global online database and citizen science project where birders log their bird sightings, share data with others, and explore birding hotspots and species information. eBird allows users to track their life lists, target species, and create alerts for rare sightings. It is used by birders of all levels, researchers, and conservationists to understand bird populations, track migrations, and inform conservation efforts.
iNaturalist – This joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society is based on crowdsourcing of observations and identification. While it’s not solely focused on birds, it’s a powerful tool for logging bird sightings alongside all kinds of flora and fauna. You can upload photos, get help identifying species from a global community of naturalists, and contribute to scientific research projects. It’s especially useful for birders who are also interested in the broader ecological context of their observations.
BirdNET – BirdNET is another option for identifying birds based on their songs and calls. You simply record the sound around you, and the app processes it to identify likely species. It’s a powerful tool, especially when birds are hard to spot but easy to hear. Great for passive listening or nighttime birding.

*A rare sighting of a long-eared owl discovered through eBird rare bird alerts*

Becoming a community scientist

Remember how birds can act as indicators of ecosystem function and health? We, as birdwatchers, can provide valuable information to researchers through our observations of birds. While traveling to the Oregon Coast or Malheur National Forest may be more your style, we can submit observations from our backyards, neighborhood parks, or favorite greenspaces. eBird and Merlin Sound ID have handy resources for birdwatchers who would like to ensure their observations are available for scientific research. Data contributed by community members has been used to create accurate range maps for species and track species population trends over time. This is science!

If you’d like to get involved in an organized community science effort, here are a few ways to contribute:

Project FeederWatch – This survey occurs every November-April in an effort to capture winter bird abundance and distribution to the fine scale of weekly changes. This can be done from your kitchen window with a field guide in hand if you are strategic about feeder placement. All you have to do is select your site, install a bird feeder, and identify and count birds! There is a small fee for participation.
Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count – This survey is the nation’s longest-running community science bird project and operates annually from December 14-January 5. CBC counts are a group effort and involve walking pre-determined routes within a designated 15-mile diameter circle to get complete census data of all birds within the circle. This is a great way to learn because beginners are paired with at least one expert. Participation is free.
North American Breeding Bird Survey – If you are advanced in your bird identification skills, you may choose to get involved with a local Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) where pre-determined routes are surveyed by volunteers. In order to participate, you will need the ability to identify all breeding birds in the area by sight and sound and you will need to complete a methodology training program. The data collected is rigorous and therefore highly valuable to science.

Whether you choose to contribute to science through independent observations or through an organized effort, you can contribute to data gathering on a scale once unimaginable. The data is used by scientists to reveal how birds are affected by habitat loss, disease, climate, etc., and guides conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, species protection, and mitigation of threats to bird populations. Participation can be as simple as watching a feeder or as complex as running a BBS route, but there’s no better time to get started than today!

Can you share a little about your background and why you decided to join the College of Forestry?
Most of my career has been focused on addressing challenges in urban forestry and urban ecology. I have worked in a variety of settings the past 24 years, including for the cities of Philadelphia, PA and Tacoma, WA, USDA Forest Service Philadelphia Field Station and Tacoma Tree Foundation. I have also been teaching for many of those years as well and have taught as an adjunct at Community College of Philadelphia, Temple University, Haverford College and others.

I received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I received a fantastic education at UMass and learned from so many wonderful faculty. I grew up as a city kid in Washington, D.C. and like a lot of city kids, I didn’t know there were career options in forests or ecology. I was lucky to happen upon a forest botany class where I was introduced to the complexities of forest ecosystems, the existence of mycorrhizae, three-hour labs in the woods and the possibility that I could have a career that involved plants and wildlife. My college experience was enriching and has led to a rewarding career. It is so exciting for me to be back in the university setting, where I can contribute to other people’s learning and also learn from others.

How did you become interested in urban forestry?
Having grown up in a city, I was comfortable working in natural spaces in urban places. I had been managing ecological restoration projects in Philadelphia and using GIS to document our work when massive tree planting initiatives became a big deal in cities throughout the country including Philadelphia. In 2008, I became the lead, because of my GIS experience, for a Tree Canopy Assessment project that used LiDAR to identify planting opportunities across the city. The resulting data (provided by UVM) revealed where there were opportunities to plant, but it also sparked questions about where and why there were gaps in canopy cover. This led me to expand my focus to include all the trees across the urban landscape from natural areas, parks, yards and street trees. Since then, I have continued to work at the crossroads of plants and people diving into the complicated ecosystems of cities.

What are you teaching and doing in your work as the urban forestry extension specialist at the COF?
Right now, I am teaching Arboriculture. In future terms, I will also be teaching Urban Forest Analytics, Wildland Urban Interface and a capstone class. We, Jennifer Killian and I, are currently reflecting on the urban forestry needs of Oregon’s urban and urbanizing communities and thinking about how we can address these needs through our extension roles.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I love spending time with my family. It doesn’t matter if it is helping with soccer practice, camping by a lake in the summer or reading together. I also like to walk, sometimes quietly and sometimes in boisterous groups, in urban areas or in wild spaces. Last year, I walked the West Highland Way in Scotland, which I really enjoyed, and I would love to do more distance walking and hiking in the future.

What’s your favorite book/movie genre or your all-time favorite title?
My favorite non-fiction book is “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and my favorite fiction is “Circe” by Madeline Miller. For the past few years, I have been participating in a library’s extreme reader challenge which involves reading 50 books from 50 different categories in 50 weeks, so I am always up for book recommendations.

Can you share a little about your background and why you decided to join the College of Forestry?
Absolutely! I’m originally from southcentral Wisconsin, where my family runs a large peppermint farm—a place where I first developed a deep connection with the land resources. My interest in municipal forestry, however, sparked during my time on the Emerald Ash Borer team at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, my very first job out of undergrad. That role opened my eyes to the critical and often overlooked work happening at the intersection of urban environments and forest health. I came to Oregon State to earn my master’s and deepen my involvement in the field, and after gaining experience across the nonprofit, municipal, and state sectors, I’ve found my way back to OSU — where it all began. I’m thrilled to bring those experiences into the classroom and contribute to the College of Forestry’s mission.

How did you become interested in urban forestry?
My first job out of college was with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture’s Emerald Ash Borer team. It took me across the state — searching for signs of the invasive beetle and helping communities prepare for its arrival. Every city I visited had a unique approach to managing its urban forest, and I became fascinated by the different strategies and challenges involved. I realized then how vital urban forests are — and how much they need advocates. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be one of those voices.

What are you teaching and doing in your work as the urban forestry extension specialist at the COF?
I’ll teach a range of courses including FES/HORT 350: Urban Forestry, FES 506: Urban Forestry Capstone, FES 560: Green Infrastructure, and I’m currently developing an exciting new course for fall term — FES 454/554: Managing Trees in the Wildland Urban Interface. On the extension side, I create educational materials, lead workshops on small tree structural pruning and support communities in preserving trees during development. I’m also contributing to Oregon’s statewide efforts to prepare for Emerald Ash Borer, which was first detected here in 2022. I’m open to knowing what sort of needs there are both locally and statewide, so if you have any ideas please send them my way!

What do you like to do in your free time?
I love hiking, camping and exploring the outdoors — but I’m also just as content spending the afternoon in my garden with a cold beverage. I’m also a semi (emphasis on semi) professional cake and cupcake maker. But honestly, one of my favorite things in the world is hanging out with my two-year-old — he keeps life joyful and very, very lively.

What’s your favorite book/movie genre or your all-time favorite title?
I’m a big fan of anything by Jon Krakauer or Bill Bryson — especially the way they blend storytelling with adventure. But my all-time favorite book is “A Sand County Almanac” by Aldo Leopold. It’s timeless, thoughtful and has shaped the way I see the world.

Congratulations to each of the latest Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) national award winners from Forestry and Natural Resources Extension! This recognition from peers from across the country serves as a testament to the exceptional quality of the work done. The ANREP Awards Program fosters high standards within the membership, recognizes significant achievement, and expands the use of high quality, innovative materials and programs by honoring the outstanding members and partners who developed them.

The Gold Award in TV/Video went to Bees in the Woods, a video series that offers information on enhancing pollinator habitat on small private forest properties. Lauren Grand, Brad Withrow-Robinson, Jacob Putney, Stephen Fitzgerald, Hayley Brazier (High Desert Museum), and Pat McAbery (Sight and Sound Services) worked on this video series.

Alicia Christiansen and Lauren Grand received the Gold Award for the Canopy View News e-newsletter, targeted to forest enthusiasts of Lane and Douglas Counties in Oregon.

The publication Introduction to Forest Carbon, Offsets and Markets, received the Silver Award for long publication. Jacob Putney, Norma Kline, Stephen Fitzgerald, Lauren Grand, Chris Schnepf (University of Idaho), Greg Latta (University of Idaho), Patrick Shults (Washington State University) and John Rizza (formerly OSU) were authors of this Extension publication that introduces readers to forest carbon, carbon offsets, projects and markets. It is intended to orient forest owners, land managers, natural resource professionals and others to forest carbon and carbon market terminology and processes, as well as resources for assistance and getting started.

Lace-Anna Rowe (Forest Engineering, ‘24) gained valuable technical skills in the mechanized harvesting lab while pursuing her undergraduate degree. Rowe now works as a program coordinator at Umpqua Community College.

The College of Foresty’s Mechanized Harvesting Laboratory, led by Professor Kevin Lyons, was recently awarded a $383,730 grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to grow the forest industry workforce through the development of four specialized training certificates. These certificates build on successful existing OSU programs and partnerships utilizing forest harvesting simulators and practical field activities. The certificates aim to address the high demand for skilled workers and managers in the mechanized logging sector, a field that is projected to face labor shortages in the coming years.

“Logging has historically been a difficult and dangerous field to work in,” said Lyons, the Wes Lematta Professor of Forestry Engineering. “Advancing mechanization and providing more education opportunities using innovative technology, like harvesting simulators, increases worker safety and knowledge in the field and exposes a new generation to the field of forestry.”

The certificates will be designed to provide clear training pathways for individuals seeking careers in forest machine operation and management, and are open to current OSU students, high school students, community college students, post baccalaureate students and vocational workers. Each certificate is being developed in close collaboration with the Mechanized Harvesting Laboratory’s partners, including the Natural Resource Career and Technical Education high schools, the Future Natural Resource Leaders, Umpqua Community College, Associated Oregon Loggers, Papé Machinery, Miller Timber Services, Weyerhaeuser and Melcher Logging.

“Initial feedback from our pilot projects indicated that users wanted more locations to obtain training, formal certificates and time with industry trainers,” said Lyons. “We can be most effective by working across the education spectrum, incorporating learners from high school, undergraduate programs and even those currently employed.”

By involving multiple communities and locations, the lab addresses the lack of forest sector training opportunities and technological gaps that weaken efforts to attract and retain talent in forest harvesting. The four certificates act as a ladder connecting new workers, existing ones and managers to bring opportunity to underserved populations in Oregon, including rural communities, people of color, women and high school students who are not immediately planning to attend post-secondary education. Bringing workforce development directly to these communities helps increase the diversity of forestry’s future workforce. To overcome language barriers, the certificates will be offered in multiple languages, including Spanish.

Simulator-based education offers safe, hands-on training without exposing inexperienced workers to the risks of real-world logging. Logging has one of the highest rates of fatal injuries of any civilian job in the U.S., but research by the Pacific Northwest Agriculture Safety and Health Center (2024) shows that increased mechanization is helping to reduce accidents and fatalities.

“By leveraging partnerships and simulator-based training, we are ensuring our students receive both hands-on training and earn formal certifications that improve their career prospects,” said Lyons. “With this grant, OSU and its partners are poised to strengthen Oregon’s forest industry workforce, enhancing both safety and efficiency in forest management.”

The College of Forestry received an Oregon Workforce Ready Grant to grow the forest industry workforce through the development of four specialized training certificates:

Forest Machine Management
- OSU undergraduate certificate.
- Equips managers with the skills to oversee mechanized forest harvesting operations.
- Available to OSU students and working professionals with courses integrated into the Forest Engineering and Forest Operations programs.
Mechanized Forestry Technician
- Certificate offered at Umpqua Community College.
- Trains forestry technicians to implement mechanized harvesting systems.
- Aligns with UCC Associate of Science Degree in Forestry.
Forest Machine Operator
- OSU Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) certificate.
- Provides upskill training for those already in the industry.
- An earn-and-learn program supported by sponsoring companies.
Introduction to Mechanized Forest Harvesting
- OSU PACE certificate.
- Introduces high school students to mechanized harvesting techniques.

A version of this story appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Focus on Forestry, the alumni magazine of the Oregon State University College of Forestry.

Using 3D to Solve the “Three D’s” of Forestry

*Assistant Professor Heesung Woo (right) conducts autonomous driving field tests while capturing 3D point cloud maps with a developed forestry robot system.*

Heesung Woo, an assistant professor of advanced forestry, is one of the few people in the world leading forestry robotics research. This research, which involves emerging technology like artificial intelligence, precision mapping, machine learning and tree planting drones and robots, is looking to solve two big challenges facing forestry today — a declining and aging workforce and the need to incorporate AI, robotics and 3D mapping solutions into everyday forest management.

“The first challenge facing forestry — and this is a worldwide challenge — has to do with the forestry workforce,” says Woo. “There is a labor shortage, including an aging, fairly homogeneous workforce with fewer younger people and a small percentage of women working in the field.”

Woo says forestry is often referred to using the “three D’s” (not to be confused with 3D technology). “Forestry can be difficult, dirty and dangerous,” says Woo.

“Partially for that reason, it can be challenging to recruit the next generation, but it’s vital that we continue to diversify the workforce and continuously ask how we can expand and better train the population we recruit, as well as give the broader field of forestry more advanced yet accessible tools for managing their forests.”

One of the answers lies in technology, which plays a key role in attracting younger, more diverse audiences to the field. As young people are already familiar with computers and digital tools, they are more inclined to embrace the latest innovations. These technological advancements not only offer exciting opportunities but also help reduce the physical demands and risks associated with traditional forestry tasks by automating many processes.

Technology is also the answer for another challenge facing forestry — the software to analyze and understand the forests and move from broad brush management to granular prescriptions that digitally capture data, can be expensive and inaccessible to a small woodland owner. Woo is working to both revolutionize the technology used in forestry and democratize knowledge and software through open-source applications.

“Often the basic technology is not the expensive part, it’s the software,” says Woo. “The software also requires training so even if someone can get their hands on the technology, a knowledge gap can exist.”

Woo is developing free applications and open-source software, so forestry managers can have access to previously cost-prohibitive software. That takes the prices of some systems down from $500,000 to a few
thousand dollars, giving a broader group of people access to the latest technology.

*Testing a prototype low-cost LiDAR mapping system under the forest canopy.*

He is also developing robots equipped with low-cost LiDAR systems to explore opportunities in autonomous forest monitoring applications, utilizing 3D mapping and precision data collection with LiDAR sensors.

Woo is committed to investigating and promoting advanced forestry practices that go beyond conventional methods to help foresters and land managers make data-driven decisions, remain safe and help forestry attract a more diverse workforce.

“By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and open-source technology, we can make forest monitoring and management more accurate, more efficient, more sustainable and an attractive field for the next generation,” says Woo.

A version of this story appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Focus on Forestry, the alumni magazine of the Oregon State University College of Forestry.

Imagine stepping into a forest and exploring the wonders of Oregon’s landscapes without ever leaving the classroom. A virtual reality program, offered by OSU Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, is offering high school students, career seekers and new logging employees a chance to do just that, transforming the way they learn about forestry and opening the door to an exciting career in one of Oregon’s most vital industries.

“The ‘Virtual Canopy’ program offers an innovative solution to address key challenges faced by Oregon’s forest sector, like workforce shortages, recruitment issues and safety concerns,” said Lauren Grand, associate professor of practice and Lane County Extension agent. “By using virtual reality technology, we can create a safe and interactive training environment while exposing a more diverse group of people to the career opportunities available to them in forestry, especially for those who may not be considering higher education.”

Oregon’s forest sector is a cornerstone of the state’s economy and community, contributing to the third-largest GDP in Oregon and producing nearly 50% of the nation’s lumber and plywood. However, the industry faces significant challenges, including an aging workforce, declining recruitment, and the need for safer, more engaging training methods. Logging remains one of the most dangerous professions in the state, with fatality rates higher than any other occupation, underscoring the critical need for innovative safety education and workforce development initiatives.

By integrating safety education with career exposure, the Virtual Canopy program promotes forest sector career pathways, including those that do not require a college degree, while working to reduce potential injuries or dangerous situations.

This program is designed to be portable and scalable with training sessions available in classrooms, career fairs and workplaces. OSU Extension currently houses 20 VR headsets for educator use, with additional units deployed by industry partners like the Associated Oregon Loggers, Inc., and the OSU College of Forestry for recruitment and training events.

The program is already showing signs of success, with eight out of 10 participants reporting that they learned new information about forestry careers and seven out of 10 finding the experience engaging and expressing a desire to participate again. Notably, the program has no significant differences in engagement based on prior forestry experience or gender, making it a versatile tool for reaching a diverse audience.

“The future of forestry depends on a skilled workforce and accessible pathways to stable, safe, well-paying careers,” said Grand. “By combining career exposure, safety education and innovative training methods, ‘Virtual Canopy’ brings workforce development and opportunity directly to people so that we can support the growth of Oregon’s forestry sector.”

A version of this story appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Focus on Forestry, the alumni magazine of the Oregon State University College of Forestry.

Tommy Bain
B.S. in Renewable Materials, ‘15
Head of Customer Care and Grading Support Manager, MiCROTEC

Tommy Bain (Renewable Materials, ‘15) is the head of customer care and a grading support manager at MiCROTEC, Inc., which provides high-tech scanning and optimization solutions for the wood processing industry. His journey as an undergraduate studying wood science to his current role at MiCROTEC is a testament to the importance of hands-on learning and relationship building in a technical field.

“I really enjoyed the senior year weeklong classes where we traveled and visited several locations within the wood products industry,” said Bain, reflecting on his time at OSU.

This experience provided a well-rounded view of post-graduation opportunities and led to the job he secured right after college and has held for over a decade. The COF’s emphasis on scientific problem-solving and teamwork was also instrumental in shaping Bain’s career.

“It gave me experience getting used to the scientific method of solving problems and taught me how to work as a team to accomplish common goals,” he said. These skills have been key in his role at MiCROTEC, where he leads two teams of support technicians focused on both hardware and software quality control for lumber and log grading machines.

Bain’s role at MiCROTEC involves ensuring that customers’ machines are operating at their best and consulting with them on how to best utilize software to minimize fiber loss and maximize profits. What he loves most about his job is the opportunity to build strong relationships with coworkers, employees and customers. His work has also allowed him to travel the world and witness how different cultures work and live.

His advice to current students considering a career in forestry is to embrace technology, develop teamwork skills and focus on communication.

“There are very few remaining jobs that don’t require some use of computers, math or critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” Bain said. “Take public speaking and technical writing skills courses, and learn to work together with whatever team you’re put on.”

Camille Swezy
M.S. in Sustainable Forest Management, ‘20
Biomass Forestry Consultant, Mule Ears Consulting

Camille Swezy (Sustainable Forest Management, ‘20) is a biomass and forestry consultant at Mule Ears Consulting. Her journey through the Collegeof Forestry shaped her career into one rooted in environmental conservation and sustainable forest management. One of her favorite memories at the college was her experience in Forest Operations Analysis (FE 440).

“Looking back, I learned so much in that class, and it ended up informing my Master of Forestry project and the line of work I’m in today,” Swezy said. “The college exposed me to a range of topics and fields of study in the forestry world.”

This variety prepared her for the diverse work she currently does. As a California registered professional forester, she specializes in low-value wood and biomass utilization, conducting wood supply assessments for entities working on wildfire prevention and forest health. Swezy also coordinates forest management projects for small landowners and is a consulting grant writer for wood energy facilities, sawmills, non-profits and resource conservation districts.

“What I love most about being a consultant is I get to help many entities achieve success at the same time,” she said. “There is a lot of need in California to advance forest and fuels management work and I enjoy working toward that goal from many angles.”

Her advice for students that are considering forestry is to take a range of classes to gain diverse experience and knowledge. She noted that forestry is interdisciplinary, and having a strong foundation in a variety of forestry-related topics sets future graduates up to succeed in the field.

A version of this story appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Focus on Forestry, the alumni magazine of the Oregon State University College of Forestry.

Nina Ferrari, Ph.D. student in forest ecosystems and society, climbs a massive old growth tree in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest a year before the Lookout Fire burned through the area. Photo by David Herasimtschuk.

Exploring How Oregon Forests Could Dampen Seismic Waves
The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center is measuring whether certain types of forests can act as natural shock absorbers during earthquakes. Following the last Cascadia earthquake, which triggered few landslides, researchers are asking if forest structure plays a role in dampening seismic waves. Professor Ben Leshchinsky, the Richardson Chair in Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, is working with his team to test this hypothesis by installing SmartSolo 3C seismic sensors, which are all-in-one devices that record ground motions, in the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest. The findings of this study could provide insights into how forests and landscapes interact during major seismic events and shed light on strategies to enhance landscape resilience.

Renewable Diesel From Forest Biomass
The OSU Clean Fuels Project, led by Kevin Lyons, the Wes Lematta Professor of Forestry Engineering, is exploring how forest biomass residues can be used to produce renewable diesel for internal combustion. This project analyzes how factors such as moisture content, particle size and tree species affect the quality of fuel produced through pyrolysis. It will also measure the environmental impact of these fuels on air quality, water resources and wildfire risks in Oregon. Findings aim to provide data that will inform policy and support cleaner fuel production with a focus on reducing carbon emissions.

SSMART Forestry: Sustainable, Safe, Machine-human Harmonized, Resilient and Technology-driven
The SSMART Forestry Lab, led by Woodam Chung, Stewart Professor of Forest Operations, is testing and identifying robotic exoskeletons that can be used in certain forestry tasks, such as tree felling and planting. Exoskeletons are proven to enhance worker strength, increase productivity and reduce risk of injury. This research is part of a broader effort to develop innovative technological solutions to transform the forestry industry.

Conducting Research Amid Wildfires
Nina Ferrari, a Ph.D. student in forest ecosystems and society, conducts bird research by climbing towering trees and joining the birds in their own realm — high up — rather than on the ground. In 2022 and 2023, she climbed 14 Douglas-firs in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest multiple times, studying how songbirds like hermit warblers and chestnut-backed chickadees divvy up vertical territories in multi-layered ancient forests and younger canopies planted 60 to 80 years ago. Recent inquiries at the Andrews have indicated that older complex forests offer cool pockets for songbirds to escape heat in a warming climate. Though half of Ferrari’s study trees burned in the 2023 Lookout Fire, she remains optimistic, believing her work will contribute to science amid climate extremes. Ferrari’s work was recently featured in National Wildlife Magazine.

A version of this story appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Focus on Forestry, the alumni magazine of the Oregon State University College of Forestry.

College of Forestry

At Oregon State University

Student spotlight: Jill Aire, natural resources

The Wildlife Corner: how birdwatching may launch you into community science

Five Questions With… Sarah Low, Assistant Professor (Practice) in Urban Forestry and Urban Forest Extension Specialist

Five Questions With… Jennifer Killian, Assistant Professor (Practice) in Urban Forestry and Urban Forest Extension Specialist

Congratulations 2025 ANREP Awards Program Winners!

Partnership pathways: New certificates expand skills, workforce opportunities

New forest visions

Virtual canopy: Immersive training for future forestry professionals

Alumni profiles: Spring 2025

Research updates: Spring 2025

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