By Kana McNiff and Kate Dipiramo
The “Forestry Challenge” is an academic opportunity for high school students that are passionate about forestry and environmental issues to use their knowledge to solve environmental crises. Students collect field data and use it to create a claim about the issue in the area and come up with a solution. This will be presented in the form of a slideshow, to a board of foresters, loggers, and volunteers. The event is coordinated by and founded by Diane Dealey Neill. The challenge is hosted at four locations: Santa Cruz, San Bernandino, Mt. Shasta, and El Dorado.
Benicia High School competeted at the Santa Cruz location, in October 2023. The AP environmental science and chemistry teacher at BHS, Emily Hudson, led students during this competition. Benicia’s forestry team broke up into two teams to meet the requirements for the amount of people allowed on a team. Team #2 consisted of Anika Jadhav (10), Mia Raupach (12), Heidi Jackson (10), Emilie Campbell (12), and Jack Baetson (11). Team #3 consisted of Jadzia Daudel (12), Kate Dipiramo (12), Kana McNiff (12), Emma Jury (12), and Cheyenne Ochoa (12). Team #2 placed fifth place out of 16 schools. Hudson says, “The reason why I do the forestry challenge is because I feel like I get to know my students in a different way and teach them something I’m passionate about.”
Forestry Challenge Q&A:
The Paw asks the forestry team, “What did you have to do to prepare for the competition?” Kana McNiff replies, “We had weekly meetings at access to take notes on things like the legal processes of forestry or details of specific field tasks. We also had meetings after school to actually go outside and practice using tools like clinometers, diameter tape, and biltmore sticks”
Jazmyne Hartman asks the forestry team, “What insight did you gain from this experience?” Emma Jury on the forestry team says, “The forestry challenge is a very enlightening experience for people interested in environmental science and provides a possible career path for people who want to help the natural environment.”
In conclusion, The Forestry Challenge stands as an incredible platform for students to immerse themselves in hands-on, real-life environmental scenarios. It offers an opportunity for experiential learning, fostering a deep understanding of forestry and environmental conservation. Through the program, students gain practical skills, develop a connection to nature, and cultivate a passion for sustainable practices. Overall, it is a one of a kind experience that empowers students to be stewards of our environment.
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