Vision Statement
The Applied Forest Management Program is conservation-based, promoting the wise and sustainable use of our natural resources through an understanding of science. This theme is emphasized throughout the forestry curriculum.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the UMFK Forestry Program to nurture its students to become individuals who are responsible and skilled forestry professionals capable of performing all technical field tasks; who understand the tenets of good forestry and personnel management; who possess good communication and problem solving skills; who are aware of the ethical dimensions of their actions; and who are prepared to further their education at the university or as life-long learners.
Student Learning Outcomes
To successfully complete the Applied Forest Management program, each graduate will demonstrate proficiency of essential forestry Student Learning Outcomes that include:
1. Science: The student will understand the role of formal and informal scientific inquiry in sustainable forest management.
- Apply knowledge of identification, prevention, and control of forest insects, diseases, and invasive species in forest management planning
- Recognize the role of fire in natural disturbance regimes, the use of fire as a management tool, and the methods of wildfire control
- Demonstrate how to acquire and properly cite peer-reviewed scientific literature using online databases
- Describe basic botany concepts and how they pertain to the growth of forest trees and other plants
2. Technology: The student will demonstrate proficiency in the use of technology to collect, manage, analyze, and display data to support decision-making.
- Demonstrate skills in the collection and analysis of natural resource data using Global Positioning Systems (GPS), remote sensing and LiDAR, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and to make informed decisions utilizing such data.
- Effectively use various computer applications to collect, manage, analyze, and display natural resource data.
3. Forest operations: The student will develop an understanding of the relationship between forest operations and sound regulatory, ecological, and economic principles.
- Demonstrate the ability to layout harvest blocks and forest roads according to best management practices and applicable regulations
- Comprehends the interrelatedness between timber harvesting, silvicultural practices, and economic viability
- Recognize the common harvesting systems of the northeast
4. Communications: The student will communicate effectively and professionally with audiences of diverse backgrounds in both oral and written form.
- Prepare and deliver effective oral presentations
- Comprehend and evaluate information in a variety of writing styles
- Compose papers and reports in a clear and concise manner
5. Management: The student will develop a management skillset sufficient to be successful in entry-level forestry careers.
- Recognize and describe the federal, state, and local regulations and standards relative to the practice of forestry and be capable of assessing compliance.
- Plan, conduct and analyze forest inventories.
- Prepare a management plan with multiple goals and constraints
- Develop silvicultural objectives and prescriptions based on sound forestry practices
- Demonstrate the ability to solve problems both independently and as a member of a team
- Demonstrate ability to reason through problems to reach a solution both in the field and office
- Recognize financial concepts important to forest management
6. Field proficiency: Students will develop proficiency in important field skills relevant to careers in natural resources.
- Demonstrate ability to work in a safe manner and to recognize and correct unsafe work conditions
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of forestry hand tools
- Identify locally important woody and non-woody species and understand their ecology and use.
- Demonstrate the ability to navigate through a forested environment using multiple methods of orienteering.
7. Conservation and multiple uses: Students will develop an appreciation and understanding for multiple use and conservation of natural resources.
- Develop respect for all components of the ecosystems that organize around forest trees
- Comprehend the importance and interrelatedness of all-natural resources
- Develop awareness of the multiple and sometimes competing benefits that society can obtain from forests
8. Professionalism: Demonstrate professional behavior in the workplace as well as in personal life.
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics, including the SAF Code, and recognition of the responsibility to adhere to ethical standards
- Develop respect for others and their opinions and act in a professional and ethical manner
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of continuing education and lifelong learning
Techniques for Assessment
The Applied Forest Management Program primarily is an experiential learning program with nearly half (43%) of its contact credits occurring in laboratory or field settings. Of the remaining courses, many employ learning and assessment methods for multiple learning styles. While some of the courses are lecture-based, students are assessed using a variety of means including written assignments, group work, small projects, hands-on exercises, as well as, weekly quizzes, exams, field exams, comprehensive final exams in several courses, and semester projects.
Safety is the highest priority in the program. Therefore, all students in Forest Operations must receive a grade of 80 or better on written exams on First Aid/CPR and on timber harvesting competency early in the semester in order to remain in the course. In Forest Mensuration and Forest Inventory & Analysis, students must receive a grade of “C” or higher to graduate.
Semester projects that incorporate a synthesis of topics of applied skills and account for a significant portion of the course grade can be found in Forest Inventory, Forest Protection Laboratory, Silvics/Silviculture Laboratory, and Forest Management. Students have practical exercises and testing in Forest Protection I (S-130/S-190) and Wildland Fire Origin. Practical laboratory exercises and field or practical exams are found in Forest Operations, Harvesting and Transportation, Forest Measurements, and Map and LiDAR Interpretation. During their final year, students must successfully complete a capstone project in FOR 350 Forest Management Practicum.
Graduates also have an opportunity to complete an alumni survey and provide feedback about the quality and effectiveness of the education they have received.
