News - March 2023


A fishy mystery: Student's discovery unravels hunt for source of an invasive fish

Wesley Gerrin traces lines on a computer screen with his fingers. Some lead to the left, toward the Ocmulgee River. Others cut to the right, toward the Middle Oconee. Along them, red dots mark the GPS locations where evidence was found. Gerrin (BSFR ’15, MS ’21) is part of a team of researchers at the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources who are picking up the breadcrumbs of clues left by an invasive fish called…


Seminar: Urban Forestry & the New Urban Ecology Deserves a City-Soil Science

Allison Sheeks headshot
Alumni spotlight: Allison Sheeks (BSFR ’19, MS ’21)

Counting on forestry Allison Sheeks was skeptical. Looking over the course catalog as she prepared to transfer to the University of Georgia from Augusta University, she saw “forestry” listed as a major.  She almost didn’t believe it. “I thought, ‘There’s no way you can study trees,’” said Sheeks. As it turns out, her background as a mathematics major before transferring became an asset as she moved from undergraduate to graduate degree. The…

Students walk through a forest during a prescribed burn
New student club puts focus on fire ecology

In some circles, getting a “red card” might get you in trouble.  But the members of SAFE—the Student Association for Fire Ecology—see a red card as a benefit. That’s because in the world of prescribed burning, a red card can give you access to working on federal forestlands, where specialized crews set and manage fires (or fight unplanned ones).  Getting a red card certification is one option for students in this new club at the…

Embryos are set in growing hormones in a lit chamber.
Call it a comeback: Warnell lab pioneers process that gives chestnuts a fighting chance

On a patch of land in Central New York last year, researchers collected more than 11,000 chestnuts. But these nuts will absolutely not be roasted over an open fire. Instead, they will be replanted and tested for the presence of a specific gene, oxalate oxidase, or OxO, which gives the trees resistance to chestnut blight. It’s still a long journey to replanting the billions of chestnuts lost over the past 100 years, when the fungus came to North…

Headshot of Marvin Griffin
Alumni spotlight: Marvin Griffin  (BSFR ’14)

‘I enjoyed every minute of it’ Five years ago, Marvin Griffin landed the perfect job combining his knowledge of airplanes, military protocol and a degree in wildlife biology.  The route to being wildlife biologist at Robins Air Force Base took a few extra twists and turns along the way, but it never would have been possible without decades of life experiences before becoming a college student in his 50s. Griffin made the most of his time…

A screenshot of a powerpoint presentation showing a forest.
Graduate Seminar Series: Costa Rica's Biological Corridors

As part of Warnell's Seminar Series, the school welcomed Fabricio Camacho and Aléxander Gonzalez to speak about their approach to conservation and environmental education in Costa Rica.

Speakers sit on the stage during the conference
Biennial conference tackles economy, environmental topics

After a few pandemic-related schedule changes, the 2023 Timberland Investment Conference returned to its spring timeslot for two days of networking and discussions.   This year’s event, which took place at The Ritz-Carlton on Florida’s Amelia Island, included national and state-specific economic updates, a deep dive into the current state of timberland investing—along with some growth areas—and insights into environmental governance and…

Students gather during forestry field camp to learn about a logging operation.
New research helps forest industry integrate technology into business management

Technology has found its way into almost every aspect of industry—it can decrease costs, increase efficiencies and even allow a birds-eye view of the entire operation. While these advances have also had a profound effect on forestry and the forest products industry, many forest business owners have yet to take advantage of new technologies to improve the management of their business. State-of-the-art sawmills produce lumber faster and with less…

A student holds up a bag of recycling collected at a recent baseball game.
Student organizes ‘Journey to Zero Waste Weekend’ during April UGA baseball series

Hunter Scully has two passions: University of Georgia sports and sustainability.   After arriving on campus as a graduate student and attending a few games, it got him thinking: Is there a way to help sporting events on campus generate less waste? Scully, a master of natural resources student in the UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, connected with UGA’s Office of Sustainability and found a way to combine his passions…

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