SPRING 2025 THE MAGAZINE OF THE OSU COLLEGE OF FORESTRY
Dean Tom DeLuca Senior Director of Development Zak Hansen Director of Marketing and Communications Kevin Lee Associate Director of Marketing and Communications Ann Van Zee Director for Alumni Engagement and Events Jessica Fontaine Assistant Art Director Julia Lont Communications and Alumni Coordinator April Winz FOCUS is published by Oregon State University College of Forestry to keep alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students informed about the college and its many events, activities and programs. This publication will be made available in an accessible alternative format upon request. Please contact Julia at 541-737-4270 or email julia.lont@oregonstate.edu. Want to receive monthly updates? Join our email list at: beav.es/SoK FOCUS SPRING 2025 04 06 08 10 12 14 New Forest Visions Using 3D to Solve the “Three D’s” of Forestry Alumni Profiles Tommy Bain, ‘15 Camille Swezy, ‘20 News + Notes General College and Community Updates Research Updates The Latest Research and Innovation from the College of Forestry Virtual Reality in Extension Immersive Training for Future Forestry Professionals Partnership Pathways New Certificates Expand Skills, Workforce Opportunities 2 COLLEGE OF FORESTRY
3 FOCUS - SPRING 2025 Dear College of Foresty community, The rapid pace of technological advancements can feel overwhelming, especially now that the AI seen in old sci-fi movies is becoming a reality. However, it’s important to appreciate how much past innovations — once thought to be farfetched — have positively changed our lives. For example, when I was growing up, we had a heavy, black rotary phone actually owned by the phone company that I used to talk with my friends after school. Not only did I have to stand or sit right next to the actual phone (the cord was about two feet long), conversations had to be kept short and always came with the risk that one of my sibs would pick up the other line in the midst of a call with a new crush. Today, we basically have a computer in our pocket, able to connect us at anytime with anyone anywhere in the world, as well as take and edit video and pictures, capture data, identify flora and fauna, and access, for better or worse, the daily 24/7 deluge of news and information. Well, that same type of tech revolution is happening in our forests and is enabling the College of Forestry to transform how we understand and care for the forests of the future. Using tools like drones, remote sensing and machine learning, we are changing how we steward our natural resources in ways we didn’t dream possible even just a few decades ago. These technologies help us collect more accurate information, which helps us make better decisions on important issues like reforestation, carbon sequestration, wildfire prevention and forest health. Importantly, the innovations we’re studying today don’t just make forestry work safer and faster — they make it more sustainable. We’re working to minimize the ecological impacts of timber harvesting, make better use of our finite resources and protect forests from the impacts of climate change. Technology is also making forestry education more attainable to a broader group of people. Digital tools help us expand access and provide future professionals from a diversity of backgrounds with the training and experience they need to succeed in the field. Looking ahead, it’s clear technology will continue to shape the future of forestry. Together, we are not only adapting to these changes — we are driving them — and in doing so, we are helping to ensure the sustainability and health of our forests for generations to come. Tom DeLuca Cheryl Ramberg-Ford and Allyn C. Ford Dean Oregon State University College of Forestry
4 COLLEGE OF FORESTRY The College of Foresty’s Mechanized Harvesting Laboratory, led by Professor Kevin Lyons, was recently awarded a $383,730 grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to grow the forest industry workforce through the development of four specialized training certificates. These certificates build on successful existing OSU programs and partnerships utilizing forest harvesting simulators and practical field activities. The certificates aim to address the high demand for skilled workers and managers in the mechanized logging sector, a field that is projected to face labor shortages in the coming years. “Logging has historically been a difficult and dangerous field to work in,” said Lyons, the Wes Lematta Professor of Forestry Engineering. “Advancing mechanization and providing more education opportunities using innovative technology, like harvesting simulators, increases worker safety and knowledge in the field and exposes a new generation to the field of forestry.” The certificates will be designed to provide clear training pathways for individuals seeking careers in forest machine operation and management, and are open to current OSU students, high school students, community college students, post baccalaureate students and vocational workers. Each certificate is being developed in close collaboration with the Mechanized Harvesting Laboratory’s partners, including the Natural Resource Career and Technical Education high schools, the Future Natural Resource Leaders, Umpqua Community College, Associated Oregon Loggers, Papé Machinery, Miller Timber Services, Weyerhaeuser and Melcher Logging. “Initial feedback from our pilot projects indicated that users wanted more locations to obtain training, formal certificates and time with industry trainers,” said Lyons. “We can be most effective by working across the education spectrum, incorporating learners from high school, undergraduate programs and even those currently employed.” By involving multiple communities and locations, the lab addresses the lack of forest sector training opportunities and technological gaps that weaken efforts to attract and retain talent in forest harvesting. The four certificates act as a ladder connecting new workers, existing ones and managers to bring opportunity to underserved populations in Oregon, including PARTNERSHIP PATHWAYS New Certificates Expand Skills, Workforce Opportunities
5 FOCUS - SPRING 2025 Forest Machine Management OSU undergraduate certificate. Equips managers with the skills to oversee mechanized forest harvesting operations. Available to OSU students and working professionals with courses integrated into the Forest Engineering and Forest Operations programs. Mechanized Forestry Technician Certificate offered at Umpqua Community College. Trains forestry technicians to implement mechanized harvesting systems. Aligns with UCC Associate of Science Degree in Forestry. Forest Machine Operator OSU Professional and Continuing Education certificate. Provides upskill training for those already in the industry. An earn-and-learn program supported by sponsoring companies. Introduction to Mechanized Forest Harvesting OSU PACE certificate. Introduces high school students to mechanized harvesting techniques. The College of Forestry received an Oregon Workforce Ready Grant to grow the forest industry workforce through the development of four specialized training certificates: rural communities, people of color, women and high school students who are not immediately planning to attend post-secondary education. Bringing workforce development directly to these communities helps increase the diversity of forestry’s future workforce. To overcome language barriers, the certificates will be offered in multiple languages, including Spanish. Simulator-based education offers safe, hands-on training without exposing inexperienced workers to the risks of real-world logging. Logging has one of the highest rates of fatal injuries of any civilian job in the U.S., but research by the Pacific Northwest Agriculture Safety and Health Center (2024) shows that increased mechanization is helping to reduce accidents and fatalities. “By leveraging partnerships and simulatorbased training, we are ensuring our students receive both hands-on training and earn formal certifications that improve their career prospects,” said Lyons. “With this grant, OSU and its partners are poised to strengthen Oregon’s forest industry workforce, enhancing both safety and efficiency in forest management.” Lace-Anna Rowe (Forest Engineering, ‘24) gained valuable technical skills in the mechanized harvesting lab while pursuing her undergraduate degree. Rowe now works as a program coordinator at Umpqua Community College. 1 2 3 4
Heesung Woo, an assistant professor of advanced forestry, is one of the few people in the world leading forestry robotics research. This research, which involves emerging technology like artificial intelligence, precision mapping, machine learning and tree planting drones and robots, is looking to solve two big challenges facing forestry today — a declining and aging workforce and the need to incorporate AI, robotics and 3D mapping solutions into everyday forest management. “The first challenge facing forestry — and this is a worldwide challenge — has to do with the forestry workforce,” says Woo. “There is a labor shortage, including an aging, fairly homogeneous workforce with fewer younger people and a small percentage of women working in the field.” Woo says forestry is often referred to using the “three D’s” (not to be confused with 3D technology). “Forestry can be difficult, dirty and dangerous,” says Woo. “Partially for that reason, it can be challenging to recruit the next generation, but it’s vital that we continue to diversify the workforce and continuously ask how we can expand and better train the population we recruit, as well as give the broader field of forestry more advanced yet accessible tools for managing their forests.” One of the answers lies in technology, which plays a key role in attracting younger, more diverse audiences to the field. As young people are already familiar with computers and digital tools, they are more inclined to embrace the latest innovations. These technological advancements not only offer exciting opportunities but also help reduce the physical demands and risks associated with traditional forestry tasks by automating many processes. Technology is also the answer for another challenge facing forestry — the software to analyze and understand the forests and move from broad brush management to granular prescriptions that digitally capture data, can be expensive and inaccessible to a small woodland owner. Woo is working to both revolutionize the technology used in forestry and democratize knowledge and software through open-source applications. “Often the basic technology is not the expensive part, it’s the software,” says Woo. “The software also requires training so even if someone can get their hands on the technology, a knowledge gap can exist.” Woo is developing free applications and open-source software, so forestry managers can have access to previously cost-prohibitive software. That takes the prices of some systems down from $500,000 to a few thousand dollars, giving a broader group of people access to the latest technology. He is also developing robots equipped with low-cost LiDAR systems to explore opportunities in autonomous forest monitoring applications, utilizing 3D mapping and precision data collection with LiDAR sensors. Woo is committed to investigating and promoting advanced forestry practices that go beyond conventional methods to help foresters and land managers make data-driven decisions, remain safe and help forestry attract a more diverse workforce. “By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and open-source technology, we can make forest monitoring and management more accurate, more efficient, more sustainable and an attractive field for the next generation,” says Woo. NEW FOREST VISIONS Using 3D to Solve the “Three D’s” of Forestry 6 COLLEGE OF FORESTRY
Top: Assistant Professor Heesung Woo (right) conducts autonomous driving field tests while capturing 3D point cloud maps with a developed forestry robot system. Bottom Left: Real-time LiDAR SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) outputs generated by the robot system. This mapping method allows robots and other autonomous vehicles to build a map while also noting their locations on the map at the same time. Bottom Right: Testing a prototype low-cost LiDAR mapping system under the forest canopy. 7 FOCUS - SPRING 2025
VIRTUAL CANOPY Immersive Training for Future Forestry Professionals 8 COLLEGE OF FORESTRY Virtual reality helps expose the next generation of foresters to potential careers, delivers safety education and provides safe, accessible training opportunities for workforce development.
Imagine stepping into a forest and exploring the wonders of Oregon’s landscapes without ever leaving the classroom. A virtual reality program, offered by OSU Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, is offering high school students, career seekers and new logging employees a chance to do just that, transforming the way they learn about forestry and opening the door to an exciting career in one of Oregon’s most vital industries. “The ‘Virtual Canopy’ program offers an innovative solution to address key challenges faced by Oregon’s forest sector, like workforce shortages, recruitment issues and safety concerns,” said Lauren Grand, associate professor of practice and Lane County Extension agent. “By using virtual reality technology, we can create a safe and interactive training environment while exposing a more diverse group of people to the career opportunities available to them in forestry, especially for those who may not be considering higher education.” Oregon’s forest sector is a cornerstone of the state’s economy and community, contributing to the third-largest GDP in Oregon and producing nearly 50% of the nation’s lumber and plywood. However, the industry faces significant challenges, including an aging workforce, declining recruitment, and the need for safer, more engaging training methods. Logging remains one of the most dangerous professions in the state, with fatality rates higher than any other occupation, underscoring the critical need for innovative safety education and workforce development initiatives. By integrating safety education with career exposure, the Virtual Canopy program promotes forest sector career pathways, including those that do not require a college degree, while working to reduce potential injuries or dangerous situations. This program is designed to be portable and scalable with training sessions available in classrooms, career fairs and workplaces. OSU Extension currently houses 20 VR headsets for educator use, with additional units deployed by industry partners like the Associated Oregon Loggers, Inc., and the OSU College of Forestry for recruitment and training events. The program is already showing signs of success, with eight out of 10 participants reporting that they learned new information about forestry careers and seven out of 10 finding the experience engaging and expressing a desire to participate again. Notably, the program has no significant differences in engagement based on prior forestry experience or gender, making it a versatile tool for reaching a diverse audience. “The future of forestry depends on a skilled workforce and accessible pathways to stable, safe, well-paying careers,” said Grand. “By combining career exposure, safety education and innovative training methods, ‘Virtual Canopy’ brings workforce development and opportunity directly to people so that we can support the growth of Oregon’s forestry sector.” Key components of the Virtual Canopy VR experience include: Career Scenarios Participants engage in gamified simulations of forestry jobs such as harvester operator, choker setter and truck loader. These scenarios not only teach safety lessons but also allow users to perform tasks in a risk-free, controlled setting. Explore Mode A self-paced, flexible exploration of forest ecosystems and logging job sites catering to different learning styles, especially those averse to structured tasks. Glossary Resource An in-depth glossary of forestry terms with visual aids, helping users become familiar with industry terminology. 9 FOCUS - SPRING 2025
Tommy Bain B.S. in Renewable Materials, ‘15 Head of Customer Care and Grading Support Manager, MiCROTEC Tommy Bain (Renewable Materials, ‘15) is the head of customer care and a grading support manager at MiCROTEC, Inc., which provides high-tech scanning and optimization solutions for the wood processing industry. His journey as an undergraduate studying wood science to his current role at MiCROTEC is a testament to the importance of hands-on learning and relationship building in a technical field. “I really enjoyed the senior year weeklong classes where we traveled and visited several locations within the wood products industry,” said Bain, reflecting on his time at OSU. This experience provided a well-rounded view of post-graduation opportunities and led to the job he secured right after college and has held for over a decade. The COF’s emphasis on scientific problem-solving and teamwork was also instrumental in shaping Bain’s career. 10 COLLEGE OF FORESTRY “It gave me experience getting used to the scientific method of solving problems and taught me how to work as a team to accomplish common goals,” he said. These skills have been key in his role at MiCROTEC, where he leads two teams of support technicians focused on both hardware and software quality control for lumber and log grading machines. Bain’s role at MiCROTEC involves ensuring that customers’ machines are operating at their best and consulting with them on how to best utilize software to minimize fiber loss and maximize profits. What he loves most about his job is the opportunity to build strong relationships with coworkers, employees and customers. His work has also allowed him to travel the world and witness how different cultures work and live. His advice to current students considering a career in forestry is to embrace technology, develop teamwork skills and focus on communication. “There are very few remaining jobs that don’t require some use of computers, math or critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” Bain said. “Take public speaking and technical writing skills courses, and learn to work together with whatever team you’re put on.” ALUMNI PROFILES
Camille Swezy (Sustainable Forest Management, ‘20) is a biomass and forestry consultant at Mule Ears Consulting. Her journey through the College of Forestry shaped her career into one rooted in environmental conservation and sustainable forest management. One of her favorite memories at the college was her experience in Forest Operations Analysis (FE 440). “Looking back, I learned so much in that class, and it ended up informing my Master of Forestry project and the line of work I’m in today,” Swezy said. “The college exposed me to a range of topics and fields of study in the forestry world.” This variety prepared her for the diverse work she currently does. As a California registered professional forester, she specializes in lowvalue wood and biomass utilization, conducting wood supply assessments for entities working on wildfire prevention and forest health. Swezy also coordinates forest management projects for small landowners and is a consulting grant writer for wood energy facilities, sawmills, non-profits and resource conservation districts. “What I love most about being a consultant is I get to help many entities achieve success at the same time,” she said. “There is a lot of need in California to advance forest and fuels management work and I enjoy working toward that goal from many angles.” Her advice for students that are considering forestry is to take a range of classes to gain diverse experience and knowledge. She noted that forestry is interdisciplinary, and having a strong foundation in a variety of forestry-related topics sets future graduates up to succeed in the field. 11 FOCUS - SPRING 2025 Camille Swezy M.S. in Sustainable Forest Management, ‘20 Biomass Forestry Consultant, Mule Ears Consulting
Exploring How Oregon Forests Could Dampen Seismic Waves The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center is measuring whether certain types of forests can act as natural shock absorbers during earthquakes. Following the last Cascadia earthquake, which triggered few landslides, researchers are asking if forest structure plays a role in dampening seismic waves. Professor Ben Leshchinsky, the Richardson Chair in Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, is working with his team to test this hypothesis by installing SmartSolo 3C seismic sensors, which are all-in-one devices that record ground motions, in the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest. The findings of this study could provide insights into how forests and landscapes interact during major seismic events and shed light on strategies to enhance landscape resilience. Learn more at: beav.es/GDs Renewable Diesel From Forest Biomass The OSU Clean Fuels Project, led by Kevin Lyons, the Wes Lematta Professor of Forestry Engineering, is exploring how forest biomass residues can be used to produce renewable diesel for internal combustion. This project analyzes how factors such as moisture content, particle size and tree species affect the quality of fuel produced through pyrolysis. It will also measure the environmental impact of these fuels on air quality, water resources and wildfire risks in Oregon. Findings aim to provide data that will inform policy and support cleaner fuel production with a focus on reducing carbon emissions. Learn more at: beav.es/GDm RESEARCH UPDATES 12 COLLEGE OF FORESTRY SSMART Forestry: Sustainable, Safe, Machine-human Harmonized, Resilient and Technology-driven The SSMART Forestry Lab, led by Woodam Chung, Stewart Professor of Forest Operations, is testing and identifying robotic exoskeletons that can be used in certain forestry tasks, such as tree felling and planting. Exoskeletons are proven to enhance worker strength, increase productivity and reduce risk of injury. This research is part of a broader effort to develop innovative technological solutions to transform the forestry industry. Learn more at: beav.es/GPa Conducting Research Amid Wildfires Nina Ferrari, a Ph.D. student in forest ecosystems and society, conducts bird research by climbing towering trees and joining the birds in their own realm — high up — rather than on the ground. In 2022 and 2023, she climbed 14 Douglas-firs in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest multiple times, studying how songbirds like hermit warblers and chestnut-backed chickadees divvy up vertical territories in multi-layered ancient forests and younger canopies planted 60 to 80 years ago. Recent inquiries at the Andrews have indicated that older complex forests offer cool pockets for songbirds to escape heat in a warming climate. Though half of Ferrari’s study trees burned in the 2023 Lookout Fire, she remains optimistic, believing her work will contribute to science amid climate extremes. Ferrari’s work was recently featured in National Wildlife Magazine. Learn more at: beav.es/G2C
13 Nina Ferrari, Ph.D. student in forest ecosystems and society, climbs a massive old growth tree in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest a year before the Lookout Fire burned through the area. Photo by David Herasimtschuk. FOCUS - SPRING 2025
14 COLLEGE OF FORESTRY Optimizing maple syrup production in the PNW The College of Forestry Maple Lab, led by Eric Jones, instructor and assistant professor of practice, has several new experiments underway. The first is work on affordable, small-scale ultrafiltration and ultraviolet light systems to control microbial growth that can spoil fresh sap before it is processed into maple syrup. The team includes food science Ph.D. student Andrea Domen and COF courtesy faculty Brian Kearney. Early results are promising and producers could be incorporating the technology in their production systems as early as winter 2025. Professor Emeritus Barb Lachenbruch is leading a second area of research on sap flow dynamics using vacuum chambers developed and custom built by Garth Jensen and Art Myers, two facility and operations staff at the college. This study explores how additional tap holes affect vacuum pressure and sap collection quantities, particularly considering tree responses such as internal pressure loss from leaks and the formation of nonconductive wood. Findings from this research will help producers improve tap hole management for greater sap production without compromising overall tree health. And finally, Professor Chris Still installed automatic point dendrometers on maples at a producer partner site outside Sheridan, Oregon, as an exploratory test for including Acer macrophyllum in his studies on heat stress in Northwest trees. The data is proving valuable and the research recently expanded to include maples at other properties outside Marcola, Oregon. This research is crucial for understanding how heat stress from events like heat domes contributes to our overall understanding of climate change in the Pacific Northwest, and researchers hope the findings will help maple syrup producers anticipate and plan for impacts on their maple trees. COF enrollment surges The numbers are in and we’re proud to report that the college experienced record growth last fall with enrollment surging by 9% compared to Fall 2023. Undergraduate enrollment rose by 8% and graduate enrollment grew by an impressive 16%. This is particularly significant considering that, over the past decade, annual growth has typically been in the range of 1-3%. We’d like to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our faculty, staff and specifically the student services team, whose support and hard work have been crucial in helping our students join the college community and pursue a life-changing education. Supporting food security for students Last October, the college again hosted a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the student food pantry Rootstock. Our incredible community donated a total of $16,433 to help keep the pantry stocked for another year. Special thanks to Heath Webb (‘13), a hardware testing engineer, who helped secure a $5,000 matching donation from his employer Trimble, a construction technology provider. In December, the college also hosted its third annual “Bobbin’ Through the Woods” Craft Fair, which raised another $7,000 thanks to the support of more than 30 vendors who participated in the show. NEWS + NOTES
15 FOCUS - FALL 2023 Harnessing technology to monitor an uncertain future Oregon just experienced its driest 20-year-period in the last millennium, and the combined impacts of drought and heat stress on Oregon forests are of great concern to scientists, land managers and the public alike. A multidisciplinary project at the OSU ponderosa pine AmeriFlux sites near Sisters, Oregon, is using advanced systems and sensors technology to probe plant function at remarkably fine spatial scales. Harnessing this technology holds immense potential for estimating carbon uptake, monitoring forest resilience, managing forests and improving ecosystem models. Assistant Professor German Vargas is deploying sensors that measure the attenuation of microwave radiation from global navigation satellite systems, revealing the complex ways in which plant canopies store and use water. Similarly, Charlie Southwick, a Ph.D. student working with Assistant Professor Loren Albert, is combining thermal and solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence imagery to understand how photosynthesis responds to temperature stress and water limitation. These “near-surface” remote sensing technologies pave the way for real-time, dynamic monitoring of Oregon’s forests, from now into an uncertain future. While satellite remote sensing has for decades revealed broad scale forest patterns and processes, this new technology allows researchers to probe plant function at a finer scale, crucial to understanding, monitoring and improving our forests in the face of climate change. A snapshot of the remote sensing technology Ph.D. student Charlie Southwick is using to gather forest monitoring data in central Oregon.
DEAN’S DINNER – 05.13.25 Join us as we recognize College of Forestry scholarship recipients, outstanding alumni and donors on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the CH2M Hill Alumni Center at Oregon State. COMMENCEMENT – 06.14.25 Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 14, at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. Save the date to celebrate the class of 2025! Once a year, Beavers from around the globe come together for Dam Proud Day, an annual 24-hour online fundraising event dedicated to building a better, stronger, more influential Oregon State University. For more information about Dam Proud Day and how to donate to the College of Forestry, please visit osufoundation.org. New job, promotion or baby? Or maybe you’ve recently retired? Do you have a new business venture, research find or accomplishment? Whatever it is, we want to hear your good news! Take a moment to connect with us using the form linked below. FORESTRY.OREGONSTATE.EDU @OSUCOLLEGEOFFORESTRY ALUMNI UPDATES Show up for COF on DAM PROUD DAY APRIL 30, 2025! SHARE YOUR NEWS! beav.es/alumni-stories All entries receive a free College of Forestry Alumni sticker!
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