Rent-A-Forester
fundraiser was a hit
by
Becca Stephen, posted Nov. 28, 2007
MU’s student chapter of
the Society of American Foresters plans to continue with its
Rent-A-Forester fundraiser annually. The fundraiser was originally
supposed to end on Oct. 20, but due to its overwhelming popularity,
the foresters decided to extend it to Nov. 30.
“We were getting five or six e-mails
a day about cutting or trimming shrubbery,” said Cody
Campbell, a senior forestry major.
People in the Columbia area could “rent”
foresters to help out with some outdoor chores. Donations
were accepted for a variety of yard work tasks. The foresters
were willing to do tree trimming, shrub removal or even tree
removal.
The fundraiser was started to help raise money
for four forestry seniors to attend the Society of American
Foresters National Convention in Portland, Ore. However, the
popularity of Rent-A-Forester has been so great that the forestry
department made enough money for this year’s trip and
is already planning to attend the convention next year.
“We started brainstorming so that students
could attend the convention without having to pay,”
Campbell said. “The convention has a job fair, which
is a great opportunity to network and get internships.”
With the popularity of the Rent-A-Forester
fundraiser this year, underclassmen are looking forward to
continuing the tradition and sending MU students to the forestry
convention in the future.
“I think the Rent-A-Forester fundraiser
was a great way to earn money to send forestry majors to the
SAF National Convention, and I am looking forward to attending
it when I become a senior,” said Khristy Huber, a freshman
forestry major.
The Society of American Foresters National
Convention was held on Oct. 23-27 and was an excellent opportunity
for students to learn about the field of forestry. According
to the SAF national convention Web site, 17 employers were
present at the convention’s job fair, 10 speakers presented
during the sessions and technical field tours were available.
Also, MU students toured Mount St. Helens and observed the
restoration and forest ecology that has been done.
