Toward Excellence in Forestry Education

Excellence in university forestry education can best be measured by the ability of graduates to analyze, to synthesize, and to discharge and communicate their stewardship of a public resource. Professionals should be devoted to continued learning through the course of their careers. Universities must encourage quality education by recognizing teaching as its paramount task. Curricula should reflect the broader responsibilities of today's manager of the forest estate, and reflect the different but equally important role of the technician. Undergraduate programs may have to be lengthened, while professional and scientific postgraduate programs continue to grow in terms of student numbers. Advanced degree offerings can be enhanced by cooperative arrangements for adjunct professors and sponsored chairs. Practicing foresters can contribute directly to students' education by providing seasonal employment structured to help the students understand and master their chosen profession. Finally, we all must work at enhancing the public understanding of forestry and foresters, so that larger numbers of well-qualified and motivated students are attracted to our profession and its associated colleges and universities.