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Students plan a route through the forest

What is it Like to be a Warnell Student?

You may need a good pair of boots. 

This will make more sense after your first lab, where you may find yourself out at Whitehall Forest walking a line marked between a row of trees, or looking under stumps for salamanders. These are some of the experiences that make Warnell so special, but our students have access to events, clubs, and other programs throughout the year that help them connect to friends and potential employers in the future.

Here are a few ways Warnell is special.

School Events

Every fall, Warnell hosts an orientation event specifically for Warnell students. This is a great opportunity to connect with students, learn about clubs, and meet new faculty and staff members. Warnell also hosts career events throughout the year, including a fall event that allows students to make connections for summer internships as well as a spring social that connects students with alumni and potential employers in a casual setting.

Guest speakers, club meetings and morning biscuit events throughout the semesters also offer opportunities for our students to connect and learn more about their chosen major.

Internships

We believe in hands-on learning, and internships play a key role in the student experience. Many employers seek interns through Warnell and interview students at the school each semester—for many, these summer opportunities turn into jobs after graduation. Our students may spend their summers combing the beach for sea turtle nests, trekking through the wilderness with a group of campers, or walking through the forests to inventory timber. In some cases, an internship may count as a course credit (but please talk to your advisor before pursuing this option).

Internship opportunities are posted on the Warnell Job Board.

Study Abroad

Warnell's Discover Abroad program is students' first stop when exploring courses beyond our Athens campus. Discover Abroad offers study abroad and service-learning programs on the theme of "sustaining human societies and the natural environment" in Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. These classes are open to any UGA student, but are specifically designed to fit within Warnell's programs.

Learn More about Discover Abroad

 

STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Warnell students are some of the most active on campus. Find a variety of clubs within Warnell that reflect your interests and major—this is a great way to meet other students and also connect with professionals in your chosen field.

Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors represent the school at functions such as Homecoming, Georgia Forestry Association’s Legislative Day, and recruiting trips throughout the state. Ambassadors receive leadership and professional development training, and also mix and mingle with alumni and leaders in the forestry and natural resources professions. Benefits include

  • Build close connections with Warnell faculty, staff, alumni, and fellow students
  • Interact with leaders from the private and public sectors
  • Receive leadership training and certification
  • Special recognition at alumni and school events
  • Warnell swag! Every ambassador receives Warnell-branded clothing and other professional items.

Selection criteria:

  • Enthusiasm for the Warnell School and natural resources professions
  • Awareness of the importance of internal and external relationships to the school
  • Commitment to meet monthly as a group
  • Willingness to attend functions outside of school hours

See our current Ambassadors

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Society

The PRTM Society is dedicated to the understanding and implementation of sustainable recreation and tourism in natural resources through education, outreach, and fellowship.

OFFICERS: 2024-2025

President Anna Bray anna.bray@uga.edu
Vice President & Secretary Mads Scott madison.scott1@uga.edu
Treasurer Rylee Farmer ryleefarmer@uga.edu
Secretary Lucy Gibson lucy.gibson@uga.edu
Yearbook Rep Mads Scott madison.scott1@uga.edu
Advisor Kyle Woosnam woosnam@uga.edu
Advisor Bynum Boley bynum.boley@warnell.uga.edu

SAF Forestry Club

The SAF Forestry Club, which is affiliated with the national Society of American Foresters (SAF), is designed to help students learn more about their future careers while having fun and socializing with people of similar interests. The Club is involved in a variety of school activities as well as the intercollegiate ASFC Conclave event. Conclave is a competition among 15 colleges and universities with forestry programs across the Southeast. Students compete in a variety of physical and technical events, including log birling, log chopping, crosscut saw, dendrology, and timber volume estimation.

OFFICERS: 2024-2025

President Kayla Stone kayla.stone@uga.edu
Vice President Iain Dallas iain.dallas@uga.edu
Treasurer Syd Jamison sydney.jamison@uga.edu
Secretary Josh Elliott joshua.elliott@uga.edu
Firewood Chair Drew Auslander andrew.auslander@uga.edu
SAF Chair Sam Williamson samuel.williamson1@uga.edu
Social Media/Historian Adia McGahee adia.mcgahee@uga.edu
Event Chair Jace Chambless jsc88020@uga.edu
Advisor Bronson Bullock

bronsonbullock@uga.edu

 

UGA American Fisheries Society

A student sub-unit of the American Fisheries Society

The UGA Fisheries Society was formed in 1994 and became an official sub-unit of AFS in 2000. Members share an interest in fisheries, ecology, limnology, and other disciplines involving aquatic resources. The club strives to increase staff interactions with students interested in fisheries, as well as highlight Warnell alumni and friends who provide career advice and experience. Through conferences and volunteering, members hope to educate and include all students who want to learn about aquatic sciences and more!

Follow UGA AFS on Instagram

Connect via GroupMe

OFFICERS: 2024-2025

President Alan Bond Alan.Bond1@uga.edu
Vice President Andrew Lyons Andrew.lyons@uga.edu
Secretary Taylor Bell taylor.bell2@uga.edu
Treasurer Taylor Faherty taylor.faherty@uga.edu
Outreach Coordinator Katie Morgan katie.morgan@uga.edu
Fundraising Coordinator Leigh Widjaja leigh.widjaja@uga.edu
Yearbook Rep Katie Morgan katie.morgan@uga.edu
Advisor Peter Hazelton phaze@uga.edu
Advisor Marty Hamel mjh50785@uga.edu

HERP: UGA Herpetological Society

The University of Georgia Herpetological Society was founded in 2005. In addition to hosting regular speakers from across the country, the society provides live animal outreach programs to groups in the community, sponsors field trips to nearby locations and regional Herp Society meetings, and provides an outlet for herpetological husbandry, research and conservation among UGA students and staff. Membership is open to anyone; to join, please email club advisor Dr. John Maerz.

OFFICERS: 2024-2025

President Jonathan Hufford jonathan.hufford@uga.edu
Vice President Sofia Monteiro sofia.monteiro@uga.edu
Graduate Co-Chair Corinna Hazelrig corinna.hazelrig@uga.edu
Graduate Co-Chair Jade Samples jade.samples@uga.edu
Outreach Coordinator Dylan Lange dylan.lange@uga.edu
Yearbook Rep Sofia Monteiro sofia.monteiro@uga.edu
Advisor John Maerz jcmaerz@uga.edu
Advisor Cindy Carter ccarter@uga.edu

Warnell Pre-Vet Club

The Warnell Pre-Vet Club is aimed at providing opportunities and resources for pre-veterinary students who would like to specialize in wildlife/exotics/zoological medicine. While the club originally formed as an outlet for Wildlife Pre-Veterinary majors, we are inclusive of all majors interested. We have speakers, volunteer opportunities, and help put on a few events every semester.   

OFFICERS: 2024-2025

President Mary Grace Moore hmm94763@uga.edu
Vice President Isabel Salazar isabella.salazar@uga.edu
Treasurer Stella Cronin amp19562@uga.edu
Outreach Elizabeth Neely efn76077@uga.edu
Secretary Erin Monroe erin.monroe@uga.edu
Community Service Chair Elizabeth Neely efn76077@uga.edu
Event Planner Robin Leske robin.leske@uga.edu
Yearbook Rep Elizabeth Neely efn76077@uga.edu
Advisor Sonia Hernandez shernz@uga.edu

The Wildlife Society

This club is the student chapter of The Wildlife Society and is involved in several functions during the year, such as the annual Wildlife Dinner, where students can sample a variety of exotic game dishes. The highlight of the year is the Wildlife Conclave, a competition among several universities from the Southeast in wildlife-related events. Some of the events include skeet shoot, obstacle course, kayaking, bow & arrow shoot, quiz bowl, and a drawing contest.

OFFICERS: 2024-2025

Adrienne Jocke Cypress Knee Representative Gino D'Angelo

President Kate McKay katherine.mckay@uga.edu
Vice President Sofia Monteiro sofia.monteiro@uga.edu
Treasurer Adrienne Jocke adriennejocke@uga.edu
Secretary Morgan Kaplan mkk32591@uga.edu
Events Coordinator Mille Andersen mille.andersen@uga.edu
Yearbook Rep Bella Dellulo bella.delullo@uga.edu
Advisor Michel Kohl michel.kohl@uga.edu
Advisor Gino D'Angelo gdangelo@uga.edu

Xi Sigma Pi: National Forestry Honor Society

The Society’s objectives are to promote a high standard of scholarship, to work for the improvement of forest resource professions, and to foster a fraternal spirit among those engaged in forest-related activities. Membership is by invitation; requirements include a 3.0 GPA in professional coursework and an honorable personal character. Xi Sigma Pi is an active service organization.

OFFICERS: 2024-2025

President (Forester) James Turpin jed19391@uga.edu
Associate Forester/Vice President Bri Roberson briana.roberson@uga.edu
Ranger Jonathan Hufford jonathan.hufford@uga.edu
Treasurer Taylor Tengstrom tlt19050@uga.edu
Secretary Lara Meersschaert lara.meersschaert@uga.edu
Yearbook Rep James Turpin jed19391@uga.edu
Advisor Dr. Joseph Conrad  jlconrad@uga.edu 
Advisor Dr. Christian Montes crmontes@uga.edu

The Cypress Knee

Warnell's annual yearbook, The Cypress Knee was established in the 1930s by the Forestry Club to unite the members of the school. It stopped publication in 1972, but in 2012, students reestablished this tradition. Our student clubs play a large role in developing the content of each year's book.

Support Warnell

We appreciate your financial support. Your gift is important to us and helps support critical opportunities for students and faculty alike, including lectures, travel support, and any number of educational events that augment the classroom experience. Learn more about giving.