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
AWRA: American Water Resources Association
If you are interested in learning a non-traditional aspect of forest resources or are just enthusiastic about water quality and the environment, then the American Water Resources Association was made for you. AWRA participates in quarterly stream sampling, the Adopt-A-Stream program, and Project Wet.
OFFICERS: 2022-2023
| Co-president | Zachary Normile | Zachary.Normile@uga.edu |
| Co-president |
Bailey Martin |
Bailey.Martin1@uga.edu |
| Vice President | Gavin Guest | Gavin.Guest@uga.edu |
| Secretary | Caroline Shin | Caroline.Shin@uga.ed |
| Yearbook Representative | ||
| Advisor | Dr. Todd Rasmussen | trasmuss@uga.edu |
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: 2022-2023
| President | Mikaela Dallas | mkd76511@uga.edu |
| Vice President & Secretary | Jay Reddish | |
| Treasurer | Hannah Weissinger | |
| Outreach | ||
| Yearbook Representative | ||
| Advisor | Kyle Woosnam | woosnam@uga.edu |
| Advisor | Bynum Boley |
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: 2022-2023
| President | Kenneth Rogers | klr85722@uga.edu |
| Vice President | Jimmy McQuigg | jgm48453@uga.edu |
| Treasurer | Brendan Ianelli | bmi89090@uga.edu |
| Secretary | Jackson Osteen | wjo64721@uga.edu< |
| Firewood Chair | Nathan Newman | nln30235@uga.edu |
| SAF Chair< | ||
| Yearbook Representative | ||
| Advisor | Bronson Bullock | bronsonbullock@uga.edu
|
Student Association of Fire Ecology
SAFE at UGA is a student-led organization that promotes the application of fire ecology through science and education. We provide UGA students from diverse backgrounds with an open forum on fire ecology through which research can be shared, networks formed, and funding and information resources accessed.
OFFICERS: 2021-2022
| President | Whittier Watts | whittier.watts@uga.edu |
| Vice President | Karlin Edwards | karlin.edwards@uga.edu |
| Treasurer | Ben Comfort | ben.comfort@uga.edu |
| Fire Crew Liason | Ream Thomas | ream.thomas@uga.edu |
| Advisor | Dr. Doug Aubrey | daubrey@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!
OFFICERS: 2022-2023
| President | Matt Phillips | matt.phillips@uga.edu |
| Vice President | Hayley Robinson | hayley.robinson@uga.edu |
| Secretary | Rachael Byrne | rachaelb@uga.edu |
| Treasurer | Adam Musolf | adam.musolf@uga.edu |
| Outreach Coordinator | Taylor Bell | taylor.bell@uga.edu |
| Fundraising Coordinator | Victoria Davis | victoriadavis@uga.edu |
| Yearbook Representative | Taylor Bell | taylor.bell@uga.edu |
| Advisor | Pete 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: 2022-2023
| President | Seamus O'brien | Seamus.OBrien@uga.edu |
| Vice President | Victoria Pagano | vgp17964@uga.edu |
| Graduate Chair | Emma Browning | Emma.Browning24@uga.edu< |
| Graduate Co-Chair | Corinna Hazelrig | cmh43279@uga.edu |
| Outreach Coordinator | Avery Kelly | |
| Yearbook Rep | ||
| Advisor< | John Maerz | jcmaerz@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: 2022-2023
| President | Natalie Hayward | nah34773@uga.edu |
| Vice President | Sydney Talley | sat44075@uga.edu |
| Treasurer | Alison Porter | amp19562@uga.edu |
| Outreach | Mary-Grace Moore | hmm94763@uga.edu |
| Secretary | Mary Susan Young | msy52376@uga.edu |
| Community Service Chair | Kaitlin Dees | Kld83363@uga.edu |
| Event Planner | ||
| Social Chair | Olivia King | |
| Yearbook Representative | Sydney Talley | sat44075@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: 2022-2023
| President | Avery Kelly | nak24611@uga.edu |
| Vice President | Rhys Medcalfe | rlm10364@uga.edu |
| Treasurer | Elaina Maria | elm46633@uga.edu |
| Secretary | Seamus O'Brien | Seamus.OBrien@uga.edu |
| Events Coordinator | Morgan Lyons | mnl50453@uga.edu |
| Yearbook Representative | Seth Lee | sjl26058@uga.edu |
| Advisor | Michel Kohl | michel.kohl@uga.edu |
| Advisor | Gino D'Angelo |
|
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: 2022-2023
| President (Forester) | Jack Derochers | jed19391@uga.edu |
| Associate Forester/Vice President | Matt Phillips | matt.phillips@uga.edu |
| Treasurer | Taylor Tengstrom | tlt19050@uga.edu |
| Secretary | Rhys Medcalfe | rlm10364@uga.edu |
| Yearbook Representative | ||
| Advisor | Dr. Joseph Conrad | jlconrad@uga.edu |
| Advisor | Dr. Christian Montes | crmontes@uga.edu |
| University Council, Undergraduate Rep | Olivia Reed | Olivia.Reed@uga.edu |
| SGA Senator | Seamus O'Brien | Seamus.OBrien@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.