January 2004, Volume 5, Issue 1

As the incoming president of the California Alumni Foresters for the 2003-2004 year, I would like to thank Jim Adams for his hard work and commitment to CAF. Jim has played an important role in maintaining an effective forestry program at Cal. I would also like to thank those folks on the CAF executive committee and those who continue to contribute so much time and effort in support of CAF — Kim Rodrigues, Erin Johnson, Rick Standiford, Larry Camp, Al Stangenberger, Ed Murphy, and Tad Mason. John Helms and Kevin O’Hara of the faculty have also been exceptionally helpful.

Again this year the primary focus of the CAF will be to support a strong professional forestry program at Cal. The success of the current program structure will depend in large part on the commitment and support of the faculty, administration and the CAF. Dean Ludden has continued to express his commitment to both a strong undergraduate program and a revitalized MF program in order that the forestry major stay well founded in the professional world. The CNR faculty and the CAF have most recently been involved with issues surrounding curriculum development and program structure of forestry at Cal at the Summit for Forest Science. One of the summit’s stated goals was to “Identify components of a world class forest science program.” The summit was held in early November and included a panel on teaching programs and curriculum where participants were encouraged to provide input in less formal facilitated discussions. I am certainly encouraged by the effort put forth in organizing and hosting this important event. The fact that The University was willing to convene this summit speaks well for the future of forestry at Berkeley.

Other projects in the works for CAF this year include new student recruitment and the annual picnic. Tad Mason is heading up a new undergraduate recruiting project that will present an overview of the forestry program at Cal to Community Colleges that offer instruction in natural resources. With the help of the CAF this program will be presented to CC’s throughout the state and will certainly increase the visibility of the program. The executive committee is also working to combine the annual picnic with the Spanish Peak hike this year. We’re still working out the details so stay tuned for more on this.

I look forward to serving as president for the coming year. Please contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have. I can be reached at 530.258.2111 or ajuska@collinsco.com.