Team and Club Highlights

The Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) student teams and clubs have had an exciting year that has included traveling across the country to represent Cal Poly at competitions and professional conferences and building student communities on campus. The NRES Department is proud of its student teams and clubs. Read on for some of the year’s highlights:

CAL POLY SOIL JUDGING TEAM

Second in Nation!

Ten students, along with faculty advisor and Assistant Professor Gordon Rees, traveled to Woodward, Oklahoma, to compete in the 2023 National Collegiate Soil Judging Competition. They returned as the second team in the nation. “The team is proud to continue to represent Cal Poly and uphold this legacy of success,” Rees said. The team’s success caught the attention of radio station KCLU, National Public Radio for the California Coast. Read the article and listen to the interview with Rees here: The team that's one of the best in the nation at -- soil identification! Yes, it's a thing. This coming academic year, the team will be preparing for the 2024 National Collegiate Soil Judging Competition, at which a new group of students will be competing at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Left to right: Assistant Professor Gordon Rees with environmental earth and soil science seniors: Miguel Ramos, Pierce Spielman, Shane Egerstrom, Sara Solis, Lauren Morris, Andrew Litto, Desmond Griffith, Lauren Frost, Anna Buecheler and Jillian Pierce at the 2023 National Collegiate Soil Judging Competition in Woodward, Oklahoma.

CAL POLY LOGGING TEAM

Twenty-three Logging Team members traveled to Corvallis, Oregon, to compete in the 2023 Association of Western Forestry Clubs Logging Conclave (AWFC), the largest intercollegiate logging competition of the year, west of the Mississippi. Three Cal Poly teams participated, with one team placing third overall. Kelly Schwenger, a forestry and fire science senior, was named Belle of the Woods (the top female competitor). “I’m proud of our students,” said Professor Samantha Gill, logging team advisor.

The team hosted the Cal Conclave earlier in the season at the Cal Poly Logging Unit. Once the new academic year begins, the team will be gearing up for another season of competitions.

Front Row (L-R): Joe Carniglia, Ben Holtzen, Samantha Gill (advisor), Stephen Caufield, Connor Ivanoff, Greg Crook, Emmett Huggins, Josh Deeter, Teo Dogan, Jack Ortega, Cadence Estermann, Jacqueline Rose (advisor), Casper Pratt, Luke Method.

Second Row (L-R): Joey Klugg, Oliver Chamberlin, Mary Cizin, Kelly Schwenger, Elise Boisvert, Nolan Hayes, Helen Dubee, Jess Conley, Daniel Auten, Hannah Ross

Back Row (L-R): Kai Hansen, Gavin Smyth

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CLUBS

Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP)

Highlight: Five AEP students spent three days in Lake Tahoe to attend the 2023 AEP State Conference. “We volunteered, networked with people in the industry, attended workshops on current environmental issues and explored Lake Tahoe,” said Steven Yu, AEP Club president. “This conference resonated with our club's purpose by giving us the opportunity to speak directly with a variety of environmental professionals and better understand how many career paths there are within environmental management,” Yu said.

AEP State Conference 2023

Left to right: Zachary Angel, Camille Vega, Karina Curiel, Katie Punao, Steven Yu

Environmental Sciences Club (ESC)

Highlight: Students from all six colleges at Cal Poly attended the ESC Super Bloom/Soda Lake hike at the Carrizo Plains National Monument. “I have loved seeing our ESC community growing and even transcending beyond NRES majors," ESC Co-President Sarah Ramirez said. “There's something really comforting about seeing the same members, friends and peers every week at meetings and club events. To me, it has never felt more like a family. I encourage students to seek out club communities like ESC to have that special network of students.”

Carrizo Plains National Monument Super Bloom and Soda Lake Hike

Society of American Foresters (SAF)

Highlight: SAF officers traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, to attend the Society of American Foresters National Convention. Co-presidents Isabella Cao and Bella Zarah said that attending the national convention provided opportunities to connect with like-minded forestry students and industry professionals from across the country, forge new friendships and share our passion. “SAF has had a profound impact on my journey at Cal Poly, providing opportunities for personal and professional growth,” said Isabella Cao, SAF co-president. “Through this remarkable club, I have had the privilege of attending conferences and conventions, engaging with inspiring mentors and chatting with industry leaders. These experiences have not only enriched my understanding of the field but have also equipped me with invaluable leadership skills that extend outside the classroom.”

Left to right: Charlie Hillis (vice president), India Szigeti (treasurer), Monica Gonzalez (DEI chair). Behind: Isabella Cao and Bella Zahra (co-presidents)

Student Association of Fire Ecology (SAFE)

Highlight: SAFE club members represented Cal Poly at the Forestry Strategies and Innovations conference in Sacramento, hosted by the California Forestry Association. Nick Bender, SAFE club president said, “This conference helped our members learn more about current events in forestry and wildland fire management, as well as expand their professional contacts within these fields. In addition, Bender added, “SAFE has allowed me to get to know fellow Cal Poly students who are interested in fire ecology,” Bender said. “SAFE meetings frequently have guest speakers who work in firefighting, fire prevention and forest management, which has helped me learn about career options after Cal Poly and get a better understanding of the work that different positions do.”

Left to Right: Nick Bender, Assata Golash, Ella Bracchi, Isabella Cao, and Westin Namanny

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Read more stories in the Summer 2023 Newsletter