HCC Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters Attends APSAF Conference

The HCC Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters recently attended the annual APSAF (Appalachian Society of American Foresters) meeting held in Charleston, South Carolina. The topic of this year's meeting was, "The Road Before Us: Does It Look Like Anything We Have Seen Before?". HCC chapter members were able to hear from professional foresters, researchers, and other natural resources professionals on how emerging timber markets (woody biomass, cellulosic ethanol, and carbon credits) will impact the demand for forests and forest products. In addition to the technical sessions, students were able to network with potential employers, university faculty and staff, and also their peers from other colleges and universities.

Two highlights of the conference were an urban forestry tour lead by foresters from the City of Charleston and MeadWestvaco and a visit to the "Angel Tree" which is proclaimed to be the oldest living tree east of the Rockies.

We greatly appreciate all those that provided financial support, without your help many of our students would have not been able to attend. Special thanks to: HCC Foundation, The Kenny P. Funderburke Educational Endowment, North Carolina Division of SAF, and Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Cathy Bishop.