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SFA students place second at annual forestry conclave


A team of forestry students from Stephen F. Austin State University recently placed second at the 2010 Association of Southern Forestry Clubs Forestry Conclave at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

The SFA Sylvans Forestry Club competed in events such as axe and knife throwing, pole felling and climbing, crosscut sawing, log chopping, timber estimation, and wood and wildlife identification. A total of 15 universities accredited by the Society of American Foresters participated in the event.

"As always, the Sylvans did an excellent job of representing SFA at the ASFC Forestry Conclave," said Dr. Michael Fountain, who has served as the team's adviser for the last 30 years. "Our students take the competition very seriously and practice and prepare vigorously throughout the year."

In order to be successful at the annual competition, teams must do well in both the physical timber sports and the technical events. SFA's team has placed first or second 23 times during the last 25 years, including eight first-place finishes.

"SFA has a long and proud tradition of success at the conclave, which has helped solidify the reputation of our forestry program as one of the very best in the nation," Fountain said.

For more information about the forestry, agriculture, environmental science or spatial science programs offered by the College of Forestry and Agriculture at SFA, call (936) 468-3301 or visit http://forestry.sfasu.edu.