If you’ve lived in East Texas for any length of time, you’ve no doubt noticed the plethora of pine trees, hence the nickname Piney Woods. Did you know that if you took all the trees in the Piney Woods and stretched them end to end, they would wrap around the Earth more than 30 times?
It’s no wonder that forestry-related careers are the number 1 occupation for folks living in the region. Travel on U.S. highways 190 or 59, and you’ll end up behind a log truck or a lumber truck—a sign of the bustling industry that adds millions of dollars to the local economy.
Forestry in our area has become the career of choice for many young people, and there’s nowhere better to learn about all aspects of forestry than a university located right in the middle of the action.
Nestled deep within the East Texas Piney Woods, Stephen F. Austin State University stands as a beacon for aspiring stewards of our natural world. SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, a program of national renown, has cultivated generations of forestry professionals, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to thrive in a vital and ever-evolving field.
Stephen F. Austin State University forestry students get a taste of real-world experience as freshmen. Students go through an introductory course where they review the basics of forestry and learn about different jobs in the field.
“I think one of our strengths is that we have held on to the hands-on, learning-based experience model,” said Hans Williams, dean of SFA’s Arthur Temple College. “Our students go to the forest and field every day to work closely with faculty members and learn.”
Forestry professionals produced by SFA are making a tangible difference beyond East Texas. They’re making a difference across the globe. Harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen are removed from the atmosphere by trees, which produce oxygen, helping to sustain life and other agricultural interests. It’s estimated that without trees, half of all farms and ranches would not be sustainable.
One SFA forestry graduate making a difference in the field is Janay Jones, a utility forester at Sam Houston Electric Cooperative.
“I was going to school at SFA in the forestry program, and I actually specialized in urban tree and fire management,” Jones said. “I got a dual degree.”
Before coming to Sam Houston EC, she had planned to work for the Texas Forest Service on the Wildland-Urban Interface program, which is where the city meets country.
With the demolition of the old forestry building completed in May, construction has already begun on the new $85 million building, scheduled for completion in 2027.
Hydrology students examine water quality in one of the many creeks in East Texas.
“If a wildfire were to come through, it’s big,” Jones said. “It’s a much bigger thing out in California where wildfires seem to be the norm, but they were trying to implement that here in Texas, so that’s what I got my degree in.”
Jones studied urban trees extensively, which she carried over into her career at Sam Houston EC. She is a certified arborist and a certified utility specialist—a unique and valuable skill set.
“The thing I’m most grateful for from my education at SFA is that they did prepare us,” she said. “At the time, I thought it was terrible, but the field station was probably the highlight of my college career.”
SFA’s forestry department sends students for six weeks out in the woods. Each week is dedicated to a different discipline, so they are able to apply everything they learn in the program.
“For six weeks we stayed in dormitories, but we were in the field from sunup to sundown,” Jones said. “We cut timber, visited parks and went to sawmills. We did a little bit of everything.”
Janay Jones, an SFA forestry graduate and utility forester at Sam Houston EC, is passionate about her career. She answers phone calls from members and provides answers to their questions.
Nathan Hernandez, a sophomore at Stephen F. Austin State University, feels right at home in the forests of East Texas.
SFA’s prime location affords forestry students access to over 12 million acres of working forests and timberland, a living laboratory where theoretical concepts take root in practical application. From the Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest to the surrounding landscapes, students immerse themselves in the real-world complexities of forest management, wildlife conservation, fire management and control, and sustainable resource utilization.
The journey begins with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, a program that offers a diverse range of specialized concentrations to cater to individual passions and career aspirations.
Whether a student envisions a future shaping landscapes through agroforestry, battling blazes in fire management, orchestrating sustainable harvests in forest management, safeguarding wildlife in forest wildlife management, bridging the gap between people and nature in natural resources, or greening our urban spaces through urban forestry, SFA provides a tailored pathway to success.
Nathan Hernandez, a sophomore from Houston, is currently on that path.
Lush with trees, gardens and parks, the entry sign welcomes new and returning students to Stephen F. Austin State University.
The Experimental Forest is just 15 minutes from campus and offers students the opportunity to conduct experiments across 726 acres.
“I’ve always been fascinated by East Texas and the numerous forests across the region,” he said. “It also made me wonder about the potential for wildfires, the kind that decimated parts of California, and a few years back, the Bastrop area.”
Like most kids, Hernandez originally gave thought to becoming a firefighter but made a choice to go right to the heart of the issue, controlling and preventing wildfires.
“I looked at several options before deciding on SFA, but its location, the options offered in the forestry program and the job opportunities available in the Piney Woods, it turned out to be a no-brainer. SFA was an easy choice for me,” Hernandez said.
Life beyond the classroom is equally enriching. Over 20 professional and student organizations within the college, including active chapters of the Society of American Foresters and the Wildlife Society, foster leadership skills and networking opportunities.
For those with a competitive edge and a love for the lumberjack tradition, SFA’s Sylvans Timbersports club, which combines Scottish highland games with a traditional lumberjack contest, offers a unique extracurricular experience.
Trucks loaded with wood products are common sights on East Texas roads.
Hernandez says the results speak for themselves. SFA’s forestry program boasts an impressive 95% job placement rate within six months of graduation, a testament to the program’s effectiveness in preparing students for successful careers.
This success is fueled by strong internship opportunities, many of which are paid and often pave the way for permanent employment. SFA also awards over $450,000 in scholarships annually, easing the financial burden and fostering meaningful connections with industry leaders.
Even before the six-week field station training, introductory forestry students get their boots muddy during Root Camp, a foundational field experience.
“Root Camp was eye-opening,” Hernandez said. “It’s one thing to wander peacefully through forested areas, kind of communing with nature. It’s totally different when you’re out there tromping through the mud in areas where any type of wildlife might be right behind you.”
Root Camp is designed to prepare students for the rigors of field station. It introduces them to the basics of forestry, including tree identification, basic surveying techniques and an introduction to forest ecology. This early exposure helps students build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges they will face when they advance to field station.
Andy Treadway’s truck is loaded with trees headed to a local mill.
Andy Treadway
A dead, leaning tree was cut down because it caused a potential risk to Sam Houston EC lines near Onalaska.
Sam Houston EC contractors use specialized equipment to reach tall trees around the Co-op’s power lines.
The combination of Root Camp and field station creates a comprehensive and immersive learning experience that prepares students for successful careers in forestry.
By the time they complete these programs, students have not only gained a wealth of knowledge and practical skills but have also developed a deep appreciation for the complexities and beauty of forest ecosystems. They emerge from these experiences as well-rounded, confident and passionate foresters, ready to make a positive impact in the world.
Beyond the undergraduate level, SFA offers advanced education through its comprehensive graduate programs. The Master of Science in Forestry, with an option for a geospatial science concentration, the professional Master of Forestry and the Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry—the only forestry Ph.D. program in the entire state of Texas—provide avenues for in-depth research and leadership development.
Looking to the future, the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture is poised for even greater advancements. The recent approval of new agriculture and forestry buildings, an $84.9 million investment slated for completion in 2027, promises to usher in a new era of modern classrooms, cutting-edge research laboratories and enhanced student resource areas.
SFA’s forestry and agriculture program will continue its tradition of excellence as students experience the benefits of state-of-the-art technology and facilities. The future of sustainable forestry is in good hands.
